When saying goodbye to your loved one, it’s possible to take comfort in knowing they are being taken care of with dignity and respect after their passing. While it’s not often talked about, understanding what happens behind the scenes of a cremation can ease feelings of uncertainty and bring a sense of peace. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of how we prepare someone for cremation – always with compassion and professionalism. 

Preparing your loved one for cremation

At Heritage Brothers Funeral Services, we understand how important it is that your loved one is cared for at every step of the cremation process. 

Once all the arrangements have been made for the cremation, your loved one’s body will be prepared.

Hair and make-up: If you wish, our team can style your loved one’s hair or apply makeup, or dress them in a special outfit — perhaps something they wore often or that reflects a beautiful memory. These small but meaningful details help ensure your loved one is honoured in a way that feels personal to you and your family.

Viewings: If a viewing is planned before the cremation, your loved one will be gently bathed, dressed, and, if requested, embalmed. If a direct cremation has been chosen — without a viewing or service beforehand — only minimal preparation is required, but we will continue to handle everything with the same level of compassion.

Personal belongings and keepsakes: Before the cremation takes place, you’ll have the opportunity to request the return of any personal belongings. Items such as wedding rings, necklaces, cufflinks or other mementos can be kept as treasured keepsakes. We will also carefully remove any medical devices, implants or prosthetics, as some of these items may pose safety risks during cremation. Devices like pacemakers, for example, are removed to prevent complications during the cremation process. 

Find out what items you can’t put into the casket.

The cremation process

Once the preparation is complete your loved one is gently placed into a cremation container. These containers are designed specifically for cremation. The container is then placed in the cremation chamber, where the process typically takes around two hours and is carried out at very high temperatures.

Selecting an urn

After the cremation process, families will choose a memorial urn or keepsake to honour their loved one – and we offer a beautiful range of options to suit all individuals.

Memorial urns

Memorial urns hold your loved one’s ashes and are available in various designs, materials, and sizes. Some families opt for traditional designs, while others may choose more contemporary styles.​

Keepsakes

If you’d like to share your loved one’s ashes among family members or keep a small memento, keepsake urns and jewellery are available. These include miniature urns, pendants, bracelets, and other ornaments designed to hold a small amount of ashes, allowing multiple family members to keep a tangible connection to their loved one.​

To explore the full range or speak with one of our caring staff about your options, please visit our Urns & Keepsakes page. We’re here to help you find the perfect way to commemorate your loved one.