Discovering the Intricacies of Preparing for Cremation

In Canada, families are choosing cremation more than ever. According to the Statista Research Department, by 2024, the cremation rate is projected to rise to 77.6%. While it’s becoming the preferred choice for many families, the cremation process isn’t as simple as one might think. It’s a carefully executed procedure that requires meticulous care and preparation.

This comprehensive guide will take you through the entire cremation preparation process. We’re here to provide clarity, from insights into the essential paperwork and protocols to how funeral homes and crematorium staff maintain integrity.

Embalming Before Cremation

Choosing to embalm before cremation is entirely up to the family's discretion. Please note that we do not offer embalming at Simple Choice Cremation.

Performed by a licensed funeral director, embalming disinfects, preserves, and restores the body. The preservation process involves draining the body’s blood, liquids, and gas and replacing them with chemicals to slow decomposition. The restoration process involves a series of cosmetic procedures to restore the person’s appearance, including, but not limited to, hair styling and cosmetics, followed by dressing or shrouding.

Typically, embalming before cremation may be chosen to preserve the body—especially when any long-distance air travel is involved. For families who would like to hold a visitation or have an open-casket service before cremation, embalming may be the right option. However, embalming is not legally required and may be declined.

The Steps and Protocols of Cremation Preparation

There are strict protocols for cremation preparation in Canada, and for good reason: to ensure that the body is treated with the utmost respect every step of the way. Generally, the process can be broken down into these 6 core steps:

Step 1: Identifying the body. For a more detailed explanation, please see the section below titled Essential Procedures.

Step 2: Preparing necessary documents and receiving authorization to go through with the procedure. Please see the section below: Essential Procedures.

Step 3: Preparing the body for cremation. There are many options available for a family to choose from, including washing the body and embalming, dressing the body, removing prosthetics or implants (which may be required), and selecting a cremation container or casket.

Step 4: Transporting the body into the cremation chamber. Through intense heat, the body is reduced to bone fragments and ash. Afterwards, there’s a cooling period before handling the remains.

Step 5: Remains are inspected and carefully processed into final cremated remains. Any metals are collected and separated with a magnet. Then, the remains are carefully removed and processed into fine particles known as the final cremated remains.

Step 6: The remains are placed into a temporary container or permanent urn and are now ready for final deposition and memorialization. There are many options for what to do with your loved one’s cremated remains.

Essential Procedures: Clothing, Identification, and Documentation

In accordance with Ontario’s Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA), strict guidelines and protocols must be followed to ensure accuracy, dignity, and compassion in cremation.

Reporting the Death
In Ontario, there are guidelines to follow when first reporting the death, depending on the situation.

Identification
As soon as a body is brought into a funeral home or crematorium, it must be identified by the authorized representative. Once this has been done, the body is issued an ID tag, which remains with them throughout the cremation process and is kept with the remains after the cremation to maintain clear identification.

Documentation and Authorization
Before any plans can be made, the cremation must be authorized by providing essential documentation.

The legally authorized representative must sign a Cremation Authorization Form (examples: Executor/Executors, spouse, children over 18, etc.). This is to ensure that the family’s wishes are upheld.

The funeral home or cremation services provider will submit the Official Death Certificate to be issued. Before they can do this, they’ll need the Medical Certificate of Death, and they’ll also ask the family to fill out the Statement of Death form.

Depending on the municipality, region, or county where the death occurred, you might need to request and purchase a cremation permit.

Once the paperwork has been filed, processing can take up to 72 hours. Once approved, the cremation process may begin.

If the death happened outside of Ontario, the required documentation for that region must be filled out and kept with the deceased before entering the province. This documentation must be filed with the Government of Ontario before a cremation can occur.

Clothing
Clothing depends on the wishes expressed by the person before they passed away or those of the family. Before the cremation, any clothing that the person was wearing may be removed in accordance with the family’s wishes. They can also choose the clothing they’d like the person to be dressed in, or the body may be shrouded. It’s best to ask your funeral director or the crematorium staff to advise you on prohibited items and materials.

Removing Implants and Prosthetics
If the person had a battery-operated implant, such as a pacemaker or an ICD (Internal Cardiovascular Defibrillator), it must be removed prior to the cremation. This is to follow Ontario by-laws and to keep crematorium staff safe because such devices may explode during cremation.

Internal prosthetics like breast implants, hip and knee replacements, and fillings are typically kept with the body during cremation. Prosthetics made from metal will be removed after the cremation process by a magnet before the cremated remains are processed.

External prosthetics, however, are much easier to detach and are removed before cremation.

A Holistic Approach to Preparation for Cremation

Cremation is a complex process that often requires days of preparation and organization. Here at Simple Choice Cremation, after the identification and authorization steps discussed above, the cremation is scheduled, and the remains will be available within approximately 10 days, although express options are available.

The procedures and protocols for cremation in Ontario have been created to honour the person’s life with respect and dignity every step of the way. Always know what questions to ask your cremation service provider to make the best choices for you and the person for whom you’re making arrangements.