As a full service funeral home, the Page Funeral Home does offer cremation and alternative services. If we may, we would like to give a brief synopsis on the cremation process. This has been prepared as general information for the public as published by the Cremation Association of North America (C.A.N.A.).

• All cremations are performed individually. Exceptions can be made only in the case of close relatives, and then only with the prior written consent and instructions of the authorizing agents, and only if state or local laws allow this.
• The cremation process begins with the placement of the casket/alternative container into the cremation chamber (retort). There the container is subjected to intense heat and flame reaching temperatures of between 1400 and 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. All substances are consumed except bone fragments (calcium compounds) and any non-combustible materials, such as jewelry, dental gold, prosthesis, latches, hinges, handles, etc… that were not removed prior to cremation as the temperature is not sufficient to consume them.
• During the cremation process it may be necessary to open the cremation chamber and reposition the deceased in order to facilitate a complete and thorough cremation.
• The time for cremation to be completed varies with the size and weight of each human remains but usually takes between 1.5 to 3 hours.
• Following a cooling period, the cremated remains are then swept or raked from the cremation chamber.
• After the cremated remains are removed from the cremation chamber, all non-combustible materials that have not been removed prior to cremation will be removed by use of magnetic selection and will be disposed of by the crematory in a non-recoverable manner.
• Once the bone fragments have been separated from the other materials, they will be further processed to reduce the size of bone fragments to uniform particles.
• Cremated remains, depending on the bone structure of the decedent, will weigh between 4 to 8 pounds, and are usually white in color, but can be grayish to other colors due to temperature variations and other factors
• The Cremated remains are then sealed and returned to the funeral director or family.

Cremation may take many forms, we are here to assist and offer explanations regarding cremation. Most families are not aware that you may have a viewing before cremation, and it some cases a viewing and service followed by cremation with burial or entombment of the cremains (ashes).

The following are some of the services our Funeral Directors will assist you with in creating a meaningful cremation service. Some of our services will be the same as they are for a Traditional Funeral Service, but some variations are listed below:

• An arrangement conference with the family members to discuss specific details for the services
• All authorization forms and permits must be completed and signed
• The law mandates that a cremation can not take place before 24hours
• If there is going to be a viewing, it will be necessary for professional care of the deceased, which may include sanitary washing, embalming, dressing, casketing, cosmetology, and hairdressing
• If a private family identification will take place sanitary care will be provided
• Arrange for alternative container or casket for deceased
• All personal possessions or valuables must be returned to the family
• The funeral director and crematory operator must be aware if someone has a pacemaker or any other mechanical or radioactive device
• The crematory must be aware of anyone wishing to witness the cremation
• Coordinating with celebrants for the final tribute
• Placement of obituary or death notices
• Arranging for Cash Advances including crematory, cemetery, clergy, church, newspapers, and custom selections
• Arrange for an urn, keepsakes or temporary container for the cremains after cremation
• Coordinate final disposition of cremated remains

New Jersey state law does not allow a funeral home to own or operate a crematory. The few funeral homes in the state that do have a crematory have been grand-fathered, and as such are able to provide this service at their funeral home.

We use the services of Philadelphia Crematories, Inc (PCI), which is just over the Burlington-Bristol Bridge, at 7350 State Road in Philadelphia, PA. We are proud and confident to use a modern, state of the are facility that offers:

• A chapel and private witnessing room for the increasing number of families who wish to come to the crematory for either personal or religious reasons.
• A clean, professional facility. A family member may walk in there at any time (unannounced) and witness everything they do from start to finish, if so desired.
• C.A.N.A certified operators, who are honest, courteous, and knowledgeable
• A three-part generated worksheet/identification/receipt form which documents the delivery of the deceased. One part is for the funeral home, one is for the crematory, and the third is attached immediately to the cremation casket/alternative container upon receipt guaranteeing procedural integrity and positive identification throughout each phase of the cremation process, including final packaging and labeling.
• They collect ALL non-combustible materials removed from the cremated remains for documented consignment to earth in Beechwood Cemetery (Bensalem, PA).
• They have engineered, patented, produce and use the HEPA-VFC Processing Station which protects our environment while guaranteeing that all cremated remains dust produced during processing is collected for proper and ethical disposal.
• They supply heat-sealed, identified plastic bag inside each urn.
• They provide signature of receipt card documenting when cremated remains are received by the funeral home, and by the family.

These are some of reasons why, we at Page Funeral Home have confidence in the crematory we use and believe we are serving our families with respect, dignity and honor.