FAQ

What is the Ohio Cremation & Memorial Society?
Why the Need for a Cremation Society?
What does the Ohio Cremation & Memorial Society Offer?
How Much Does Cremation Cost?
How Do I Become a Member?
Who Actually Provides These Services?
What Is Cremation?
What Services Are Available With Cremation?
Is A Casket Needed For Cremation?
Is Embalming Required Prior To Cremation?
Can The Body Be Viewed Without Embalming?
Is Cremation Accepted By All Religions?
Can An Urn Be Brought Into Church?
What Can Be Done With The Cremated Remains?
Are There Any Laws Governing Cremation?
Do People Choose Cremation Only To Save Money?
Don't Most Funeral Homes Have A Crematory?
How Long Does The Actual Cremation Take?
What Happens After The Cremation is Complete?
Can Two Cremations Be Performed At Once?
What Do The Cremated Remains Look Like?
Are All The Cremated Remains Returned?
Am I Required to Purchase an Urn?
Are There Any Special Benefits For Veterans?
Is There Any Assistance For Families On Welfare?
 

What is the Ohio Cremation & Memorial Society?
As Ohio's only statewide cremation organization, the Ohio Cremation & Memorial Society, Inc. (OCMS) was co-founded by George Rodman and six other Funeral Directors in 1996 to disseminate accurate, up-to-date and correct information regarding cremation and to help Society members arrange for the highest quality, lowest cost cremation services available anywhere in the State of Ohio.

Why the Need for a Cremation Society?
The cost of cremation and degree of service varies widely across Ohio. Prior to the formation of the Cremation Society, consumers had to directly contact each and every Funeral Home to get their specific information regarding cremation and many "options" (there is no standard). Then, when a consumer is at their must vulnerable, the Funeral Home will suggest additional services and products thus raising the overall cost of the cremation and service. In the end, the consumer ends up paying a lot more money than they intended when they started out. The Ohio Cremation & Memorial Society, Inc., insulates the consumer from the typical Funeral Home by allowing them to make their plans in advance and helping them get the lowest rate for the services offered in Ohio with no up-selling or hidden costs.

What does the Ohio Cremation & Memorial Society Offer?
The Ohio Cremation & Memorial Society offers cremation information and only cremation information. We contract with Rodman Funeral Services to handle your services according to Ohio law and your wishes. A simple cremation includes: 

• Removal from place of death
• Refrigeration
• The OSHA required "Alternative Container" (not a casket).
• Administrative and Staff Services
• Preparation of the Death Certificate
• Obtaining the Physician's Signature on the Death Certificate
• Filing the Death Certificate
• Obtaining the State of Ohio Cremation Permit
• Obtaining the Family's Authorization to Proceed with the Cremation
• The Cremation
• Carefully packaging the cremated remains
• And, return of the cremated remains. All at one price.

How Much Does Cremation Cost?
Call us for the current price. Pricing and options very all over the board, check out our Price Comparison page to get an idea of pricing in Central Ohio.

How Do I Become a Member?
You and/or your spouse can join the Ohio Cremation & Memorial Society now for only $25.00 each!. As a member, you will receive providers services at a discounted price. We will record your wishes in our files for the time of need. At the time our services are needed, you pay the current member discounted price.

It's easy to join, just fill in the registration form or give us a call at 1.800.910.6267 and we will register you over the phone! You will receive a wallet I.D. card identifying you as a registered member.

Who Actually Provides These Services?
Following the guidelines set forth in the Ohio Revised Code, section 4717.20, we contract with Rodman Funeral Service. Rodman Funeral Services then makes arrangements with the registered, licensed provider nearest you.

What Is Cremation?
To begin with, it is probably easier to describe what cremation isn't. Cremation is not final disposition of the remains, nor is it a type of funeral service. Rather, it is a process of reducing the human body to it's most basic elements using high heat and flame.

What Services Are Available With Cremation?
Any traditional funeral service with the body present can precede the cremation. Alternatively, a memorial service can take place after the cremation has been completed.

Is A Casket Needed For Cremation?
No, a casket is not required for cremation. All that is required by OSHA is the OSHA approved minimum cardboard leakproof container which is cremated with the body. Other OSHA approved cremation containers are available for purchase as well. The only time a casket is required is when the family chooses a public service with the body present prior to cremation.

Is Embalming Required Prior To Cremation?
No it is not and it is against the law for a funeral home to tell you otherwise. The only time embalming is required is if the family chooses a service with an open casket prior to cremation.

Can The Body Be Viewed Without Embalming?
Yes, immediate family members are permitted to briefly view the deceased prior to cremation.

Is Cremation Accepted By All Religions?
Today most religions allow cremation except for Orthodox Jewish, Islamic, Eastern Orthodox and a few Fundamentalist Christian faiths. The Catholic Church accepts cremation as long as it is not chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teachings. Some people believe that cremation is against the teachings of the Bible, but according to Billy Graham, a famous Biblical scholar, "what occurs to the body after death has no bearing on the soul's resurrection. The body that rises is not made of the same substances as the one that was buried, or cremated, but is immortal and incorruptible."

Can An Urn Be Brought Into Church?
Nearly all Protestant Churches allow for the urn to be present during the memorial service. In fact, if the family is planning on a memorial service, we encourage the cremated remains be present as it provides a focal point for the service. Please check with the clergy of the church you are working with the determine what is proper and customary for that church.

What Can Be Done With The Cremated Remains?
There are many options. Remains can be buried in a cemetery lot or cremation garden, inurned in a columbarium, kept at home, or scattered on private property.

Are There Any Laws Governing Cremation?
Cremation regulations vary from state-to-state. In Ohio, there are several laws which the consumer should be aware. First, there is a 24 hour waiting period from the time of death until the cremation can take place. Second, the deceased must be cremated in a suitable  cremation container. Third, a cremation authorization form must be signed by the individual legally authorized to make the cremation arrangements. Fourth, a death certificate must be signed by a certifying physician. For a complete list of applicable State laws, refer to Ohio Revised Code Section 4717.21- 30.

Do People Choose Cremation Only To Save Money?
While some people select cremation for economy, many choose this option for other reasons. The simplicity and dignity of cremation, environmental concerns, and the flexibility cremation affords in ceremony planning and final disposition all add to its increasing popularity.

Don't Most Funeral Homes Have A Crematory?
Most funeral homes subcontract this delicate procedure out to a third party provider in another town where the funeral home has little or no control over the crematory's operating procedures. Often, the family may incur additional transportation expenses and needless delay. By contrast, Rodman Funeral Services owns their cremation equipment which is operated by their fully licensed and highly trained staff. Rodman Funeral Services cremation equipment is state-of-the-art and equals or exceeds every state and local operating standard and requirement.

How Long Does The Actual Cremation Take?
It depends on the weight of the individual. For an average size adult, cremation takes from two to three hours at normal operating temperature between 1,500 degrees F to 2,000 degrees F.

What Happens After The Cremation is Complete?
All organic bone fragments, which are very brittle, as well as non-consumed metal items are "swept" from the cremation chamber and into a stainless steel cooling pan. All non-consumed items, like metal from clothing, casket hardware, joint implants, and bridge work, are separated from the cremated remains. This separation is accomplished through visual inspection as well as using a strong magnet for smaller metallic objects. Items such as dental gold and silver are non-recoverable. Remaining bone fragments are then processed in a machine to a consistent size and placed into a temporary or permanent urn, selected by the family.

Can Two Cremations Be Performed At Once?
No, cremation chambers are not of sufficient size to accommodate more than one. Thus it would be not be possible to conduct multiple cremations simultaneously.

What Do The Cremated Remains Look Like?
Cremated remains resemble coarse sand and are whitish to light gray in color. The remains of an average size adult usually weigh between four to six pounds.

Are All The Cremated Remains Returned?
With the exception of minute and microscopic particles, which are impossible to remove from the cremation chamber and processing machine, all of the cremated remains are given back to the family.

Am I Required to Purchase an Urn?
An urn is not required by law. However, an urn may be desired if there is to be a memorial service or the remains are to be interred in a cemetery. If an urn is not purchased or provided by the family, the cremated remains will typically be returned in a temporary container. Realize that a temporary container is just that, temporary! If final disposition is not arranged for soon after death you should consider a more structurally sound container.

Are There Any Special Benefits For Veterans?
There are special programs for veteran's who pass away in a VA hospital, or a VA contracted health care facility. There maybe a VA cash benefit that can be applied as partial payment for our cremation services. See the All Veteran's Burial & Cremation Service website for details.

Is There Any Assistance For Families On Welfare?
As of July 1, 2001 the State of Ohio Welfare system no longer assists with indigent final expenses. The burden now falls upon the "municipality". The law is very vague regarding what a municipality actually is. Few cities budget for this and few options exist. We will work with all families to seek out all possibilities for assistance. No one will be turned away for a lack of funds!