Where does the Cremation take place?

We bring your loved one to Adirondack–Burlington Cremation Service which has been serving the Funeral Directors of Northern Vermont and New York since 1984. Adirondack Burlington recently built a new 3,200 square foot facility. The facility offers the ultimate in personal, professional service to the funeral homes they serve. Adirondack-Burlington is the finest facility in the Northeast and the retorts, or chambers in which the cremation takes place are the most environmentally friendly found anywhere today. Along with the finest equipment, certified operators and careful management, they strive to provide the quality of care we desire for our own families in their time of need.

Who receives the deceased?

Each human remains is received into our care by a certified crematory operator. The transfers are completed safely and respectfully using modern lifting equipment.

What safeguards are in place to make sure my loved one’s cremated remains are returned to me?

Each cremation is tracked by a computerized tracking system consisting of three different elements, computer data, paper trail and a stainless steel tag with an identification number engraved into it – a controlled and efficient means of tracking the deceased through the cremation process.

Can I witness the cremation?

Yes, for a nominal fee. There is a public entrance on the front of the building to welcome families if you choose to witness the cremation. We encourage families for religious faith or for personal concern about the cremation process, to come witness the initiation of the procedure.

What if we are waiting for family to arrive from out of town before cremation can take place, can that be done?

In order to better serve those clients who may need a temporary holding place, a climate control room has been created to provide safe and secure storage. Vermont also has a 24 hour waiting period before cremation can take place so the climate controlled room will be used during that time period. Due to the irreversible nature of cremation, most states require a waiting period before the actual process may begin. Unless a body is embalmed, refrigeration is the only alternative available that will retard tissue decomposition. Refrigeration is a necessity that protects family and friends, the crematory operator and the general public from potential health hazards.

URNS/EMBALMING and CASKETS

Do I need an urn?

An urn is not required by law. If an urn is not selected, the cremated remains will be returned to the family in a temporary container.

Is a casket needed for cremation?

No. For sanitary reasons, ease of placement and dignity, our crematory requires that the deceased be cremated in a combustible, leak proof, rigid, covered container. This does not need to be a casket as such. What is required is an enclosed, rigid, container made of wood or other combustible material to allow for the dignified handling of human remains. The type of casket or container selected is really a personal decision. Caskets and containers are available in a wide variety of materials ranging from simple cardboard containers to beautifully handcrafted oak, maple or mahogany caskets.


Is embalming required prior to cremation?

Absolutely not and it is against the law for a funeral home to tell you otherwise. It will depend on such factors as whether the family selected a service with a public viewing of the body, whether there is to be a funeral service, or whether there is refrigeration available. Embalming may also be necessary if the body is going to be transported by air or rail, or because of the length of time prior to the cremation.


Can the body be viewed without embalming?

Yes, immediate family members may briefly view the deceased prior to cremation in our private viewing room. A pre-cremation identification is limited to 2 family members ONLY, for 20 minutes. In interest of full disclosure while minimizing movement of the deceased, the identification occurs in the container that will shelter the deceased prior to cremation and will later be consumed in the cremation process.



QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CREMATION PROCESS

What is cremation?

Cremation is the process of reducing the human body to bone fragments using high heat and flame.


What happens during the cremation process?

The casket or container is placed in the cremation chamber, where the temperature is raised to approximately 1400 degrees to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. After approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours, all organic matter is consumed by heat or evaporation. The remaining bone fragments are 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.

Is it true that the bones are crushed after cremation? I've heard you don't get ashes back -- what do you get?

A complete cremation is a two-step process. Firstly, the actual exposure of the deceased to several hours of intense heat and flame; after which the remains are mostly ash except for certain bone fragments, then the entire remaining ash and fragment volume is gathered and run through a processor, creating a uniform powder-like texture.


Are cremations done individually?

Yes. State law generally provides that only one body may be cremated at a time.