Not long ago – just 50 years or so – only a small fraction of Americans chose to be cremated. But in recent decades, cremation has surged in popularity across the county and here in Milwaukee, Brookfield, and New Berlin. As cremation becomes more common, our caring staff at Krause Funeral Homes and Cremation Service wants to be sure families realize something important: Not all cremation providers are equal.
You may remember seeing a cremation scandal or mix-up in the news, or maybe someone you know had a negative experience with a cremation provider in the area. When you choose a cremation provider, you need to be 100% certain they are trustworthy. You need to have complete confidence that your loved one will be treated with dignity and – we wish this went without saying – that the cremated remains returned to you are those of your loved ones.
Because of the seriousness of this issue, here are three reasons to walk away from a cremation provider. Keep them in mind as you’re making your selection.
- The cremation provider does not own its own crematory.
Although they don’t advertise this, many cremation providers outsource their cremations to third parties, which may be located in different cities or counties. Be sure to ask where the cremation will take place. Here at Krause, we own and operate our own crematory, enabling us to control every aspect of the cremation process. We make sure our environmentally safe equipment is maintained meticulously, and our licensed, trained professionals observe the entire process from beginning to end, giving families the peace of mind they deserve.
- The cremation provider does not follow an ethical code or process.
Not all providers follow state regulations or provide a guarantee outlining their services. Krause Funeral Homes and Cremation Service is the only family-owned provider in Milwaukee to offer a 10-step cremation process backed by our exclusive Cremation with Confidence™ Guarantee. This trademarked process guarantees that your loved one never leaves our care from the moment they arrive at our funeral home, through the cremation process, to the return of the cremated remains to you. What’s more, our crematory chapel is operated by knowledgeable and licensed professionals who strictly adhere to a Cremation Code of Ethics and are members of the ICCFA (International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association), which provides advanced staff training. Because we own our own crematory, we can make sure processes are followed to the letter.
- The cremation provider does not offer options for celebrating your loved one’s life.
Cremation can often mean limited options when it comes to giving a loved one a personal and meaningful farewell. But with Krause, that is not the case. As with traditional burials, we offer a family choosing cremation many ways to pay tribute to their loved one. We can help arrange a visitation, funeral, catered reception, and burial. It’s all up to you.
We encourage families to visit any of our four locations for a personalized tour anytime. Keep in mind we are the only funeral home in the area with a special viewing room located next to our crematory for those who wish to be present for the start of the cremation process. No matter what is driving you when it comes to end-of-life decisions, Krause Funeral Homes is here to help you make the perfect choice for you and your family. Reach out to us with questions.