Understanding the Laws and Other Details Regarding Minnesota Cremation Services
Cremation services in Minnesota should be considered when you are facing the death of a loved one in the family. While casket burials remain a popular choice, if there have been no particular wishes expressed, cremation is a dignified, respectful way to handle the body of a loved one. Death touches every person eventually and with death are certain rules to abide by in order to make the best choices while still following legalities. If you want to seriously consider Minnesota cremation services, you should understand the basic state laws, rules and regulations regarding this option. These rules would apply to anyone whether they live in St. Paul or Duluth.
Basic Laws and Guidelines for Cremation Services in Minnesota
As with any death, there are primary guidelines in place in regards to disposition of a body. Statute 149A.95 of Minnesota statutes states that the medical examiner or coroner has to give their authorization before Minnesota cremation services can take place. There is an authorization form they must process and pass along to the physician on record who completes the form. The form is then returned back to the medical examiner so they can provide final approval. From there, the form accompanies your deceased loved one's body to the funeral establishment or crematorium in the process of cremation services in Minnesota.
Another crucial piece of paperwork that must be completed is the Disposition Permit which is issued by a local or state registrar, particularly if cremation services in Minnesota are to be carried out. This Disposition Permit is also delivered to the licensed funeral establishment or crematorium handling the body. Your deceased loved one must be transported for cremation in a leak-proof cremation container. If there is no public visitation and no burial taking place, the embalming process and a casket are not necessary. However, if your deceased loved one is not cremated within 72 hours, embalming may be necessary, according to state laws.
If the deceased had a health care directive or will, this legal document would state who has the right to choose disposition of their body, particularly Minnesota cremation services. However, if nothing pertaining to death was written, the most immediate family like a spouse would be responsible for the decisions. Next in line would be an adult child then the deceased's parents, siblings, grandparents, nephews or nieces or a legal guardian. This priority of decision-making by the family applies whether the family is in Minneapolis or International Falls or any point in between.
Options for Cremation Services in Minnesota
You have several options to consider in regards to Minnesota cremation services such as public viewing, funeral service and even choice of urns. While embalming is not a necessity within the first 72 hours, it may become a reality if the paperwork for cremation takes longer than normal or if you decide to have a public viewing or funeral service so that friends and loved can pay their respects before cremation occurs. Embalming would also be necessary if the body has to be transported any distance such as from Rochester to Alexandria or anywhere else within the state.
With cremation services in Minnesota, you do have the option to witness the cremation process itself. Of course, it does depend on the crematorium facility. However, for an additional nominal fee, this is an option to consider for family and friends. Witnessing this final act often helps with the coping process of a loved one's death. Plus, in some religions, it is customary to send off the deceased personally.
The cremation process itself takes about three to four hours. The cremated remains, weighing about three to four pounds, are then placed within a temporary cardboard or plastic container or in a special urn chosen and purchased by the family. With Minnesota cremation services, the crematorium or funeral establishment will contact the primary person listed on the Cremation Authorization Form. If this is you, you will then have up to 120 days to pick up the cremated remains before the funeral establishment legally has the right to dispose of them.
What to Do with the Cremated Remains?
With cremation services in Minnesota, you have options in regards to the disbursement of the cremated remains of your loved one. For instance, there are no state laws governing the burial or scattering of the ashes on private property, as long as you have permission to do so. No additional permits are needed. However, if you want to scatter the remains on public land, the applicable laws of that town, city, county or other local government would need to be researched. This aspect of Minnesota cremation services would also apply, even if you had the cremated remains stored within special piece of furniture or sculpture such as a memorial bench to be placed in a desired public location.
Of course, you can choose to keep an urn with the cremated remains of your loved one in an honored spot in your home. There is the option of splitting the ashes into several urns at the crematorium so that several family members could have a cherished memento of the deceased. With cremation services in Minnesota, you also have the option of choosing a special vault within a mausoleum or selecting a special niche or storage space within a columbarium.
While there are certain rules to be followed with Minnesota cremation services, you do still have plenty of freedom to choose aspects of cremation for your loved one. You can choose to have a funeral service with cremation or simply a small, private visitation with family and close friends only. You could choose to be present during the cremation process too. Selecting special urns or an honored way of scattering the ashes are totally your choice. While dealing with the death of a loved one can be tough, you can rest assured that respect and dignity will be given to them during Minnesota cremation services.