Sands Funeral Chapels

Question: Is it necessary to have a casket for cremation?
Answer: The deceased need not be presented in a casket for cremation but, in the absence of a casket, a suitable container must be purchased that is sufficient to prevent a health hazard to crematorium personnel. This is provincial law. The container or casket is then placed into the cremation chamber. In the case of rental caskets only the inner container is cremated

Question: I just want the deceased picked up from the place of death and cremated. Can this be done?
Answer: By law, the deceased cannot be cremated until 48 hours after the death has occurred. Vital statistic information must then be obtained in order to secure the necessary permits for the cremation to take place. If the deceased had a pacemaker, this must be removed by the funeral home staff. A person can be buried or cremated with simplicity; however, there are a certain amount of administrative duties and physical preparation of the deceased that may need to be performed prior to the cremation taking place.

Question: Are most people selecting cremation because we are running out of burial space?
Answer: No. There's more than enough ground space available to bury everyone in Canada. The selection of a permanent memorial in a designated cemetery or other permanent location is not only of value to survivors immediately after death, but a treasure to pass down through the generations as family members come to learn about their heritage.

Question: How do I know that these are the cremated remains of the deceased and not of someone else?
Answer: Crematoriums and funeral home personnel must adhere to strict regulations and a code of professional ethics. Only one person is cremated at a time and all of the cremated remains are placed in the urn.

Question: Isn't it a waste to spend a lot of money on a casket when it's just going to burn?
Answer: There are a number of cremation containers or caskets available that are both inexpensive and functional. You are advised to select what is most appropriate for you. Your selection may also depend upon the type of services that are being held prior to the actual cremation taking place.

Question: I would like to be buried; however, I don't like the idea of the "environmental intrusions" that can take place once the casket is in the ground.
Answer: There are caskets available that are hermetically sealed and consequently prevent the entrance of outside elements. Another option would be to have the casket placed in a mausoleum which is an above ground structure. The casket is placed in specially constructed compartments called crypts.

Question: Can you bury the deceased at sea?
Answer: Federal government law must be adhered to with respect to a burial at sea. Strict regulation and guidelines now make a burial at sea virtually prohibitive. A permit application must be made well in advance of need (at least 8 weeks). A notice of intent must be published in a local newspaper. Proof of the notice must be sent to Environment Canada and include an application fee. Other stringent regulations include nautical miles from land for burial site and casket specifications. It is recommended that alternative arrangements be made since burial at sea regulations and costs have become very restrictive, and almost impossible.

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	For your convenience Sands Funeral Chapels has listed some commonly asked questions concerning funerals. Should you have any other questions or concerns not listed please feel free to call, E-Mail, visit one of Sands Chapels or use our "Help Form" for any questions or concerns you may have. Common Questions About Cremation, Burial And Funerals Question: Is it necessary to have a casket for cremation? Answer: The deceased need not be presented in a casket for cremation but, in the absence of a casket, a suitable container must be purchased that is sufficient to prevent a health hazard to crematorium personnel. This is provincial law. The container or casket is then placed into the cremation chamber. In the case of rental caskets only the inner container is cremated Question: I just want the deceased picked up from the place of death and cremated. Can this be done? Answer: By law, the deceased cannot be cremated until 48 hours after the death has occurred. Vital statistic information must then be obtained in order to secure the necessary permits for the cremation to take place. If the deceased had a pacemaker, this must be removed by the funeral home staff. A person can be buried or cremated with simplicity; however, there are a certain amount of administrative duties and physical preparation of the deceased that may need to be performed prior to the cremation taking place. Question: Are most people selecting cremation because we are running out of burial space? Answer: No. There's more than enough ground space available to bury everyone in Canada. The selection of a permanent memorial in a designated cemetery or other permanent location is not only of value to survivors immediately after death, but a treasure to pass down through the generations as family members come to learn about their heritage. Question: How do I know that these are the cremated remains of the deceased and not of someone else? Answer: Crematoriums and funeral home personnel must adhere to strict regulations and a code of professional ethics. Only one person is cremated at a time and all of the cremated remains are placed in the urn. Question: Isn't it a waste to spend a lot of money on a casket when it's just going to burn? Answer: There are a number of cremation containers or caskets available that are both inexpensive and functional. You are advised to select what is most appropriate for you. Your selection may also depend upon the type of services that are being held prior to the actual cremation taking place. Question: I would like to be buried; however, I don't like the idea of the "environmental intrusions" that can take place once the casket is in the ground. Answer: There are caskets available that are hermetically sealed and consequently prevent the entrance of outside elements. Another option would be to have the casket placed in a mausoleum which is an above ground structure. The casket is placed in specially constructed compartments called crypts. Question: Can you bury the deceased at sea? Answer: Federal government law must be adhered to with respect to a burial at sea. Strict regulation and guidelines now make a burial at sea virtually prohibitive. A permit application must be made well in advance of need (at least 8 weeks). A notice of intent must be published in a local newspaper. Proof of the notice must be sent to Environment Canada and include an application fee. Other stringent regulations include nautical miles from land for burial site and casket specifications. It is recommended that alternative arrangements be made since burial at sea regulations and costs have become very restrictive, and almost impossible. Next Page