service options

Cremation Services

Cremation may take place before or after any memorial services. Your Funeral Director will provide professional guidance for memorialization, service options, and/or interment in a cemetery.

Small chapel or ceremony room with rows of chairs facing a decorated altar and curtains.
A black and white drawing of a coffin with a cross on it.

Cremation Options

Every part of the funeral process is very personal. While some prefer for burial, others choose cremation and or entombment. No matter what a family chooses, all families receive the same respect and professionalism.



At Tubman, we not only help you in the beginning of your journey, counselling and developing with you a meaningful funeral service, we also have many resources to support you after the service.

What’s Involved in a Cremation

Cremation is an option that’s becoming increasingly popular. Some choose this service because of its lower cost, some for religious reasons, and others because of environmental concerns. While it is becoming more popular, many people still do not know a lot about the overall process:


  1. The process takes place in a cremation chamber, also known as a retort or crematory. The chamber is preheated to a set point usually determined by the governing bodies where the crematorium is located. Once the temperature levels are met and compliant, the decedent is placed in quickly through a mechanized door to avoid heat loss. 
  2. The combustion period typically last 2 to 3 hours. This combustion period results in the deceased corpse reducing to skeletal remains and bone fragments. The heat levels reached during the combustion period will completely burn all combustibles such as the wooden casket / cremation container, clothing and human soft tissues. 
  3. The next step is to collect the bone fragments and non-combusted objects in a tray to allow them to cool down.
  4. The final step is the processing of the bone fragment to powder or sand-like consistency.


Before the final step of placing the bone fragments in the machine used to pulverize the bone to sand-like consistency, all non-consumed metal objects such as screws, nails and hinges are removed and properly disposed of. In addition, the mixture may contain precious metals from dental work, surgical screws, prosthesis, implants, etc. These objects are removed with the help of strong magnets and/or forceps. All these precious metals are recycled by a specialized partnering company. In return, we receive moneys for them. 100% of the money paid to us for said precious metals is donated to local charities.


These processed cremated remains are transferred to the urn selected by the family. If a permanent urn has not been selected, the ashes are placed and returned in a temporary carboard container.


It is also important to note that prior to the cremation and with the family’s permission, the funeral home staff will remove jewellry items such rings, wrist washes, and other similar objects, too, as they are likely to break down during the process. We recommend that the family retain the jewellry items as memories or authorize us to place them in the urn with ashes once the process is completed.

Black and white outline of a decorative vase with wavy and straight horizontal bands.

Traditional Funeral Service Followed by Cremation

Many families find meaning and beauty in a traditional funeral service, meaning the casket is present for the funeral in our Chapel or a religious institution.


This option allows family and friends to pay their respects to the casket prior to cremation taking place. After the funeral service, rather than going to a cemetery, our professional staff will privately transport your loved one for cremation.


Your Funeral Director will assist you with making further arrangements regarding a final resting place for your loved one, such as a niche interment or earth burial in a cemetery.

Black and white illustration of a vase with wavy lines across the body.

Memorial Service

A Memorial Service, also called a Celebration of Life, can vary from a more formal service in our Chapel or a religious institution to a more informal gathering in our visitation or reception suites.


We will work with you and your family to design a service to create a lasting tribute to your loved one.

Black and white floral wreath with leaves and ribbons.

Graveside Service

A Graveside Service refers to a service (also referred to as a committal service) that takes place at the cemetery only. 


This service may be led by a clergy member, celebrant, or a family member, and can be as intimate as just a few words, or more tailored to include prayers, hymns, and/or other meaningful memorialization options.

Cremation FAQS

  • Are funeral arrangements different?

    That is entirely up to you. One of the advantages of cremation is that it provides you with increased flexibility when you make your funeral and cemetery arrangements. You can choose to have a funeral service beforehand; a memorial service at the time of cremation or after with the urn present; or a committal service at the final disposition of cremated remains. No matter what you choose, we can make your service a unique and fitting tribute.

    Key responsibilities of a funeral director include:

    • Arranging for the deceased's removal and transfer from the place of death to the funeral home.
    • Providing professional care for the deceased, such as embalming, casketing, and cosmetology.
    • Meeting with the family to plan the funeral service.
    • Completing necessary paperwork, including certificates and permits.
    • Acquiring copies of the death certificate.
    • Coordinating with cemeteries, crematories, or other final disposition locations.
    • Writing and publishing the obituary.
    • Organizing aspects of the service like clergy, music, flowers, transportation, pallbearers, and specialized fraternal or military tributes.
    • Overseeing the funeral service and procession.
    • Aiding the family with death-related claims and resources, such as Social Security, VA benefits, and grief support.

  • Is a casket required?

    No, a casket isn’t required. However, an enclosed, rigid container made of combustible material is required to allow for the dignified handling of the remains. Just like a traditional casket, the container selected is a personal decision, and can still be personalized to reflect the deceased.

  • What kind of urn should I get?

    A simple, temporary container is provided by the crematorium, free of charge. However, you may prefer an urn that is more of a personal reflection. Just like with caskets, urns come in a variety of sizes, styles, and materials. There are many options varying from elaborate to simple designs. Selecting an urn is a very personal decision, and the most important thing is that it feels right to you.

  • Niches

    A popular choice for the placement of an urn is in a niche. A niche is a recessed compartment designed for the permanent placement of urns. They are held in Columbariums, which are free-standing structures designed to house many urns. Some are located outdoors in picturesque settings while others are located indoors in either a chapel or a mausoleum, often as a bank of niches along a corridor or a series of special alcoves. A vase may be placed on some closed-front niches for the placement of flowers by those who care to commemorate special occasions.

  • What if I prefer cremation, but my spouse prefers interment?

    Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more informThis is a common question. One solution is to purchase a grave. This would allow for the interment of a casket or container, as well as an urn containing cremated remains.ation. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.