Cremation
Cremation is an increasingly common choice for the final disposition of human remains. The reasons people choose it vary; some prefer that less of our limited open space be devoted to cemeteries; some prefer quick reduction of their mortal remains rather than slow decomposition of the body underground; while others may wish that family and friends focus not on their death or on the presence of their lifeless corpse at a wake or funeral but, rather, on their life through memories shared at a memorial service. A memorial service, freed from requiring the presence of a body, can be scheduled more flexibly.
Massachusetts law requires a 48-hour waiting period prior to cremation – unless the death was due to a contagious or infectious disease. The law requires a death certificate, a burial/disposition permit, and a cremation permit. The crematory typically requires authorization by next of kin or other appropriate person. Where there is an estranged or separated spouse, or there are next-of-kin opponents to cremation, it is important for the decedent to have appointed an agent in advance in writing.
Massachusetts funeral homes are not allowed to run crematories. Some funeral homes have the word “cremation” in their names, but they do not in fact cremate bodies; they contract with a crematory for that service. All funeral homes that list any cremation services are required by the Federal Trade Commission to offer the option of “direct cremation” (without “extras” such as embalming, an elaborate casket or a funeral service). This is the least expensive option. Consumers who wish the funeral home to provide additional services, such as calling hours or a funeral service, will pay more.
When comparing the cost of “direct cremation” on the General Price Lists from different funeral homes, be sure you know whether the payment to the funeral home for arranging a “cremation” does or, more often – does not, include these fees:
- Medical Examiner Fee – $200. (The crematory will arrange for the medical examiner who must view the body before it can be cremated.)
- Crematory and Cemetery Fees – cremation-related charges and any additional options chosen for storing, burying, or scattering the “ashes” at the cemetery. Unless you have made other arrangements, the “ashes” are returned to the consumer.
NOTE: Cremated remains are not really ashes. The term “ash” is used only for convenience. Cremated remains consist of bone burned at high heat and then pulverized into particulate matter of varying degrees of fineness. The term “cremains” is sometimes used.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health imposes “no restriction as to the disposition of ashes.” The consumer is free to keep the ashes, to bury the ashes, or to scatter the ashes anywhere (subject to the usual laws prohibiting trespass on private property without permission or on public properties so posted).
Here is a brief video “Cremations 101” made by Joshua Slocum, Exec. Director of the Funeral Consumers Alliance, in December 2019.
Crematories
Massachusetts law prohibits funeral homes from operating their own crematories.
Western Massachusetts crematories are located within cemeteries, and normally require that the consumer make arrangements through a funeral home that will (minimally) pick up the body, complete the necessary paperwork, and arrange for transport of the body to the crematory. Consumers are not legally required, however, to hire a funeral director. Next of kin or a designated friend may carry out a decedent’s wishes, provided that the paperwork is in order.
The funeral homes in western Massachusetts use a variety of crematories, including some in central MA (Worcester County). See list below.
Disclaimer: No endorsements are implied by inclusion on this list.
- Hillcrest Park Cemetery & Crematory, 895 Parker Street, Springfield, MA 01129, (413) 782-2311
- Pittsfield Cemetery & Crematory, 203 Wahconah Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 (413) 447-7953
- Springfield Cemetery & Crematory, 171 Maple Street, Springfield, MA 01105 (413) 732-0712 www.springfieldcemetery.com/
- All Faiths Cemetery & Crematory, 7 Island Road, Worcester, MA 01603, (508) 753-8842 www.allfaithscem.org/
- Rural Cemetery & Crematory, 180 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605, (508) 754-1313
All three Western Massachusetts crematories are within cemeteries, and normally require that the consumer utilize the services of a funeral home to (minimally) pick up the body, complete the necessary paperwork, and arrange for transport of the body to the crematory.
Berkshire County residents may use the Cremation Society of Vermont, 213 West Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201, (800) 244-9585. They are willing to work directly with families. See their website for options and VT prices; some extra fees apply for Massachusetts (e.g., the Medical Examiner’s fee in MA is $175 more than the fee in VT).
Two Boston-area companies serve all of Massachusetts, and post their prices clearly online. They are funeral homes, not crematories, but they include the cost of the crematory in their simple packages, easy for families to understand. It is worth comparing these offers to the prices charged by local funeral homes.
One western Massachusetts funeral home charges less than $1000 for cremation (lower than those Boston services): See Hampshire County Cremation offered by the Williamsburg Funeral Home. Although that price doesn’t include the Medical Examiner’s fee or the crematory fee, the total would be in the range of those Boston offers.
What to do with the “ashes”?
The cremated remains (or “cremains”) are carefully packaged by the crematory into a standard carton with label identifying the contents. Those remains, weighing about 5 pounds, may be retained “as is” by the family, or may be transferred (often by funeral home staff) into a purchased urn or another container provided by the family. The urn may be buried in a cemetery, or placed in a columbarium niche. Some people prefer to scatter the remains (or small portions as a symbolic gesture) in an outdoor setting that is meaningful. There are no MA laws governing the scattering of cremated remains, but there are of course laws respecting property rights. Ask permission before scattering or burying remains on property that is not yours.