Practical Information

In addition to pre-planning your Final Arrangements (cemetery & funeral needs), completing a Personal Information Form and giving a copy to your estate trustee, spouse and/or children will give you the peace of mind of knowing they will have all the information they need to properly handle your wishes and the details of your estate. Don’t put this form in your safety deposit box as these can be sealed until after the funeral:

Why choose cremation?

Cremation is an alternative to earth burial or mausoleum entombment: it does not limit the funeral in any way. Should you choose cremation, you will still have the same options for memorialization that any other family has. Cremation can take place before or after a service. In this section,  we’ve answered the most common questions we are asked about cremation. If you require further information, please contact us at any time, by telephone or email.

What is cremation?

Cremation is a process of reducing the body to bone fragments by applying intense heat for a period of approximately two hours. The cremated remains, commonly referred to as  “ashes,” are removed from the cremation chamber. They are then processed into finer fragments and placed in a temporary container. The ashes weigh typically between three and six pounds. An urn may be selected for the final disposition of the cremated remains.

Where and when does cremation take place?

Cremations occur at a crematorium in a cremation chamber or retort.  Ontario regulations allow only one cremation at a time.

Do we need to buy a casket?

Ontario’s law requires that at a minimum, the deceased must be placed into a rigid combustible container. Many options of caskets and containers are available to you.

Can we place personal mementos in the casket prior to cremation?

Many personal items may be placed in the casket;  All items left in the casket will be destroyed during the cremation.  Be sure to speak with our staff who can advise you on what items may stay and what items must be removed from the container or casket.

Do we need to have a funeral if we select cremation?

The short answer is no. Many families today are choosing to cremate right away, followed by a service at a later date or not at all. However, if you wish to have a service with cremation, the family has one of two options. Firstly, a service with the body present. Following the service the deceased is transported to the crematorium. The ashes are buried in a grave or placed in a niche at a later date. Or secondly, if cremation has taken place, a “memorial” service with or without ashes present may be held.

Is embalming required?

Embalming is not mandatory; however, some circumstances may require it. For example, if you prefer an open casket with a visitation prior to the service, embalming is highly recommended.

What is an urn?

An urn is a container designed to hold the cremated remains permanently. It may be constructed from a variety of materials such as wood, bronze, copper, steel, pewter, granite, marble, clay pottery or fine porcelain. Woodland has a  large selection of urns available, designed to reflect the lifestyle of an individual.  Urns may also be personalized by engraving.

Urns come in a variety of sizes. Woodland offers both single (1 person) and double (2 person) urns for spouses. For families who wish to have a keepsake of their loved one, Woodland offers cremation jewellery which has a compartment to place a small amount of ashes in.

What can we do with the cremated remains?

Burial

To accommodate families who have members choosing both traditional burial and cremation, Woodland allows the option of  burying cremated remains in a traditional grave over an existing full burial. Up to 3 sets of ashes are allowed.

Inurnment

The urn may be placed in a niche in an above ground structure called a columbarium.

Scattering

Woodland offers a Scattering Garden for those who wish to scatter ashes. Memorial Pillars, with bronze name plates, are available for those who wish to memorialize a loved one whose ashes have been scattered. If you choose to scatter in a public or private (cottage) area you should confirm whether or not it is allowed. If there is a policy, it is best to speak with one of our staff at Woodland first and let us assist you in obtaining any additional documentation or permission needed.

Shipping

You may wish for the cremated remains to be shipped to another country. We can look after these arrangements for you. You may also be permitted to take the cremated  remains yourself to another country. Check with us first and we can assist you to obtain any additional documentation that may be required.

Keeping

Many people prefer to have the urn at home with them, as it gives them comfort. Others keep the urn at home for a period of time before taking it to the cemetery for a final resting place.