Coffins, caskets or trundles (non enclosed tray) must be constructed of cardboard, timber or manufactured wood products.
- no PVC
- no metal linings or inserts
- no innerspring, latex rubber or PVC mattress / pillows
- only ferrous (magnet attracting) metal screws / nails to be used
When it comes to body coverings, clothing or shroud, the more natural the better. Silks, wool, cotton, leather are best. Polyester garments are acceptable.
- no materials containing Poly-vinyl acetate or PVC
- no latex based rubber or plastic (eg. wet suit materials, fishing gear)
- no rubber / plastic soles or uppers of shoes or sandals / slippers (eg. no work boots, gumboots)
When it comes to prosthetic limbs, the best course of action is to notify us and provide as much information as possible. We will notify the crematorium and they will let us know what the best course of action is.
As part of the documentation and application process we are required to request permission to cremate. This includes an inspection by an independent doctor. They would be looking for the following items that cannot be cremated;
- cardiac defibrillator, pacemaker, drug infusions pump
- irradiated metal pellets
If you know of these, it is best to let us know so that we can advise and arrange for the removal.
Personal effects such as jewellery, glasses, watches, handbags are usually acceptable but not recommended. It is our default policy to remove all rings and watches and return to the recipient of the ashes. We document these items at the time of collection.
Unless you have chosen another, the ashes are returned in a fairly basic container as pictured. To open the container, a flat head screwdriver will enable the lid to be pried away.
Watch the video below.
When the ashes are returned, what you have is simply powdered or crushed bone. The cremator is so hot that the casket / coffin and any clothes the deceased is wearing will disappear and do not come back as ashes. The cremated remaining bone is cooled, ground to a powder and placed in the ashes container.