FREQUENT QUESTIONS

An expected death: Call the doctor who was caring for the deceased person. An unexpected death: Call emergency services first. Death at a hospital: Call us and speak to one of our licensed staff who will take care of the rest.

Once a death has occurred, call us directly and talk to one of our licensed staff. We will then transfer your loved one into our care where they are kept in a licensed, secured refrigerated facility. Once we have completed the documentation with you (in person or over email/fax) we will then be in touch with the necessary branches of the government to move ahead. We proceed by transferring your loved one to the crematorium/cemetery. In the case of cremation, it can take up to 5 business days to get the cremated remains back to our office. (From the time of first contact). At this point the documents and cremated remains will be ready for you to pick up in our offices.

The casket or container is placed into the cremation chamber where the temperature is raised between 1400 and 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. After approximately 3 hours all organic matter is consumed by heat or evaporation. The residue which is left is bone fragments, known as cremated remains. The cremated remains are then carefully removed from the cremation chamber. Any metal is removed with a magnet and later disposed of in an approved manner. The cremated remains are then processed into fine particles and are placed in a temporary container provided by the crematory or placed in an urn purchased by the family. The entire process takes approximately three hours. Throughout the cremation process, a carefully controlled labeling system ensures correct identification.

At Affordable Cremation Options, we have strict guidelines we follow. All identification is carefully checked when the removal is made from the place of death. This process is witnessed by an employee of the hospital, nursing home, Coroner’s Office or a family member present at the home or place of removal. An identification band is placed on the wrist of the deceased. Before leaving the place of death, each staff person confirms all existing paperwork with the identification tag. At the crematorium, a stainless steel identification disc is assigned and placed with the deceased at the actual time of our arrival. This disc remains with the individual throughout the entire cremation process. After the cremation is completed, the identification disc is placed in the urn with the cremated remains.

No, cremation is simply a method of preparing human remains for whatever type of service you’d eventually prefer.

Yes, family members may be present at the beginning of the cremation process. However, we do not offer this service.

Cremation provides many more final options than burial. Cremated remains, also commonly referred to as ashes, may be buried into an existing grave or placed into a niche at a cemetery, scattered, divided into separate portions, kept at home, divided or even made into jewelry.

Scattering is permitted on any Crown land, including in water. National parks prohibit the scattering of cremated remains in water, although you may “cast them to the wind” without obtaining permission. You may also scatter cremated remains in most municipal parks and cemeteries but only with permission from the municipality. When scattering cremated remains on private property, it is important to obtain permission from the owner of the land prior to the scattering. In any case, when scattering cremated remains, it is recommended that the scattering be done with discretion.

It is essential that pacemakers and such other medical devices be removed prior to cremation. Pacemakers, or more correctly the batteries in them, may explode when subjected to high temperature, which can be hazardous to the crematorium staff and equipment.

Yes. It is very common for families to arrange their own private services. We are able to provide you with all the necessary services and products that you would require.

The answer is simple, we have smaller facilities with less overhead and the savings are passed on to you. We are licensed and regulated the same way as any other funeral home but we do not have the same expenses.

Affordable Burials and Cremations is brought to you by the third generation of a family of funeral directors who have provided caring and professional service to residents of Toronto and surrounding area for decades. We treat your family like one of our own – with the utmost care and respect.

Yes, If you were looking to have a visitation with an open casket and an embalmed body, then you would require the help of a funeral home. Not sure who to trust? We can make suggestions based on our 60 plus years in the industry.