Cremation is the process of reducing the human body to bone fragments using high heat and flame. The average cremation takes two to three hours depending on the weight of the individual with a temperature range of 1500-2000 degrees. All organic bone fragments, as well as non-consumed metal items are swept into a stainless steel cooling pan. All non-consumed items, like metal from clothing, artificial hip joints and bridge work, are removed from the cremated remains. This separation is done from visual inspection as well as utilizing a magnet. Items such as gold and silver are non recoverable and co-mingled with the cremated remains. Remaining bone fragments are then processed to a consistent size and placed in a temporary container or urn.

Cremation is only the means of dealing with the body. The most important aspect of a funeral is the service, designed to aid and comfort family and friends. With over 60 years of experience, we are skilled at easing the burden on the family and creating the perfect atmosphere to help everyone through a very difficult time. Please read the side-bar discussion on this page regarding why it can be so helpful to have outside assistance for these services.

No, as stated above, cremation is a means of disposition of a human body and is an alternative to earth burial. All types of funeral and memorial services are available when cremation is chosen.

Absolutely, in fact, many grief specialists believe that viewing aids in the grief process by helping the family face the reality of death. A viewing allows the family to see their loved one peacefully at rest and to say their final goodbyes. The viewing may be of an open nature where all family and friends are invited or in a private setting where only those truly close to the person are invited to attend.

Connecticut law does require that the person be placed in some type of container for the actual cremation process. This can be an alternative container constructed of wood or cardboard, which is then cremated with the body. There is a wide variety of suitable wooden cremation caskets to choose from when a viewing or service is requested prior to the cremation. If there will be no viewing or service, the minimum cardboard container can be used.

Connecticut law mandates a 48 hour period from the time of death to pass before the cremation can take place. State law also requires that a representative of the Medical Examiner’s office must come to the funeral home to view the deceased and to make a record of the physical attributes such as height, weight, hair and eye color, tattoos and scars. This is a non-invasive examination and not an autopsy. Since cremation is an irreversible process, the state requires this to rule out any foul play and to have a physical record of the person being cremated.

The Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home policy requires embalming for any viewing unless it is for identification purposes. Our funeral home policy is that an identification of the deceased must take place when cremation is chosen if the deceased died in a hospital or convalescent home where the deceased was moved from their room following the death. We do this because cremation is an irreversible process and although unlikely, the possibility of an identity mistake occurring in a hospital or nursing home transfer exists.

Funeral homes in our immediate area do not have their own crematory; therefore, we contract the services of a local crematory. We have an exclusive working relationship with Mt. Grove Crematory where they allow the family to be present as the body is placed in the cremation chamber, however, they will not allow the family to remain for the entire process. There is a small chapel at the crematory where a short service can take place prior to the start of the cremation process.

Today most religions accept cremation with the exception of the following faiths: Jewish Orthodox, Islamic, Eastern Orthodox and a few Fundamentalist Christian faiths. The Catholic Church accepts cremation but would prefer that the physical body be brought into church for the last funeral rites prior to the cremation taking place. In addition, the Catholic Church prefers that the cremated body be interred in a cemetery, or placed in a columbarium niche.

You are not required to have an urn, however, an urn may be appropriate if there is a memorial service or a graveside service because the visual is very important when a service takes place. Urns are made of a variety of materials and can be a great way of having something that is personalized in a way that symbolizes important attributes and hobbies of the person who has died. If an urn is not purchased through us, or provided by the family, the cremated remains will be returned in a temporary plastic container..

Nearly all Protestant and Catholic churches allow for the urn to be present during the memorial service or Memorial Mass. If the family is planning on a memorial service, we encourage the cremated remains be present as it is the body of the person that is being memorialized.

When cremation is chosen, there are many options a family may consider on what to do with the cremated remains. Many times the deceased has left instructions on where they would have wanted their cremated remains placed. Some families chose a traditional approach such as having the cremated remains interred in an earth burial space, or in a columbarium niche. Keep in mind that many cemeteries also allow for cremated remains to be buried on top of a grave space where someone is already buried.

You may also elect to have the cremated remains at home, scattered, placed in a coral reef, divided amongst friends and family, or placed in keepsake jewelry, to name a few. Based on your family needs, we can help you choose the final disposition that is most comfortable to you.

Please contact one of our directors to discuss in more detail what can be done with the cremated remains, or click here to view a recent article we published in the Fairfield Citizen.