CREMATION SERVICES
Choosing Cremation with O’Donnell
The team at O’Donnell Funeral Home are experts in cremation. We ensure a strict chain of custody for your loved ones’ remains and often encourage families to have a final farewell prior to cremation taking place. Many families choose to have an event for their loved one choosing cremation, such as a visitation (before or after cremation) or graveside interment (after cremation).
CREMATIONS
Traditional Service & Cremation
For some families, tradition means a visitation, wake, and/or viewing with the body present — even when cremation is the final choice. At O’Donnell Funeral Home, we offer the option of having any of these gatherings prior to cremation. The funeral ceremony can take place at one of our North Shore funeral homes, or at the family’s place of worship. Additional services, such as burial of the cremated remains, may also take place after cremation.
Cremation & Visitation
Many families don’t know that they can choose to have services honoring their loved one before or after cremation. Visitations can take place with a casket prior to cremation, or with the urn present following cremation. After cremation, other services are available such as scattering of ashes or interment of the urn at a cemetery.
Cremation Only
Immediate cremation includes no ceremonies or rites. At the time of need, O’Donnell will bring your loved one into our care, wash, dress, and shelter them until the 48 hour waiting period is complete. We will take care of all of the required legal paper work, provide the family an opportunity for a final farewell, end escort your loved one to the crematory. We stay with the person in our care through the entire process until we return their ashes to the family.
Traditional Services & Cremation
For some families, tradition means a visitation, wake, and/or viewing with the body present — even when cremation is the final choice. At O’Donnell Funeral Home, we offer the option of having any of these gatherings prior to cremation. The funeral ceremony can take place at one of our North Shore funeral homes, or at the family’s place of worship. Additional services, such as burial of the cremated remains, may also take place after cremation.
Cremation & Visitation
Many families don’t know that they can choose to have services honoring their loved one before or after cremation. Visitations can take place with a casket prior to cremation, or with the urn present following cremation. After cremation, other services are available such as scattering of ashes or interment of the urn at a cemetery.
Cremation Only
Immediate cremation includes no ceremonies or rites. At the time of need, O’Donnell will bring your loved one into our care, wash, dress, and shelter them until the 48 hour waiting period is complete. We will take care of all of the required legal paper work, provide the family an opportunity for a final farewell, end escort your loved one to the crematory. We stay with the person in our care through the entire process until we return their ashes to the family.
Continuously in Our Care
The five-step cremation security protocol at O’Donnell Funeral Home ensures that every possible measure is taken to treat your loved one with expert care and compassion.
1. Transferring Your Loved One Into Our Care
Following death, your loved one will be personally escorted to O’Donnell Funeral Home by a member of our professional staff.
2. Identification & Geotagging
When your loved one arrives at the funeral home, we immediately assign them a unique ID that will remain with them throughout the entire process and ensure that proper documentation is maintained at all times.
3. Waiting Period
Your loved one will be placed in a prepared cremation container and respectfully housed in our temperature-controlled room as we comply with the 48-hour waiting period as mandated by state law. Our powerful tracking system is then updated with your loved one’s unique information and all personal items are recorded.
4. Administrative Checks
A thorough review is conducted by a medical examiner and O’Donnell’s to make sure that nothing was missed, from the issuing of a death certificate to correct completion of records and forms. Just before the cremation is takes place, we will once again thoroughly review all forms and records to ensure accuracy.
5. Cremation & Return of Remains
A member of the O’Donnell team accompanies your loved one to the crematory and as the cremation begins the team is there to make sure all is done with extreme care and concern. Cremated remains are returned to the funeral home within 24 hours.
Choices After Cremation
When cremated remains are returned to the family there is the question of what to do with them. The answer is as individual as the choice of cremation itself, and comes down to personal ideas about memorialization. Here are a few options:
- Cemetary burial
- Placement in a decorative urn to be kept at home
- Keepsakes or parting stones
- Internment in a columbarium niche
- Scattering in a location of personal significance
O’Donnell’s skilled funeral directors will assist
you in finding and securing the best option for your family.
EXPLORE OPTIONS
We invite you to review all the options we offer at O’Donnell Funeral Home: cremation or burial, visitations and ceremonies, transportation, flowers and more. Select services, review pricing, and even pre-plan from your phone or home computer.
OUR PRODUCTS
Meaningful Remembrances
Urns & Caskets
O’Donnell will guide your selection of funeral products including caskets, vaults, or urns. We always offer to personalize the final vessel at no additional cost.
Keepsakes & Parting Stones
Unique, personalized keepsakes offer a lasting memory for family and friends. Explore the options available through our partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cremation?
Cremation refers to the process of transforming the body into bone fragments using heat. Cremated remains are often referred to as “ashes”, but in fact they are made of pulverized bone fragments. All traces of organic matter are removed during the cremation process, leaving behind only bone and small amounts of salts and minerals. Just as each person is unique, their cremated remains are also unique. The amount of certain elements changes from person to person, creating an elemental signature that's as distinctive as a fingerprint. O’Donnell Funeral Home provides cremation in Danvers, Gloucester, Peabody, Salem, Beverly, and all other communities throughout the North Shore.
What does cremated remains mean?
Cremated remains (also known as cremains,) refers to the ashes that remain after the cremation process.
Can we scatter the cremated remains
Yes, you can scatter cremated remains, but you must follow local laws and obtain proper permissions. Common locations include private property, national parks, scattering gardens, and the ocean. Scattering ashes is a deeply personal and symbolic way to say goodbye, and with the right planning, it can be a respectful tribute to your loved one’s life. For trusted guidance on scattering ashes and cremation services, our website offers clear, compassionate answers and expert support.
Why do most families choose cremation?
Cremation has become increasingly popular due to its affordability among other reasons. Many people also choose cremation for environmental concerns, the dignity and simplicity of cremation, and the flexibility it affords in the planning and disposition of the body.
Can the family be present during the cremation?
Yes. At O’Donnell Funeral Home, we allow families to escort their loved one to the crematory and be present during the beginning of the cremation process.
If I am cremated, can I be buried with my spouse even if he or she was in a casket?
Yes, you can be buried with your spouse. Many cemeteries allow for additional burial space for urns. Many cemeteries allow for multiple cremated remains to be interred in a single grave space, while some restrict the number of urns that can be buried in a single grave or family plot.
Is embalming required before cremation?
No. State laws do not mandate embalming prior to cremation. O’Donnell Funeral Home’s proper temperature controlled room and modern facilities eliminate that need. However, the family may opt for embalming when having a funeral service or viewing. Cremation costs may be impacted by any embalming or preservation choices.
Is an urn required for cremation?
The law does not require that families supply an urn. However, the family may choose to bury the remains in an urn, place the urn in a columbarium, store the remains in an urn, or use an urn during a memorial service. If choosing to bury the urn in a cemetery, you may be required to select an urn vault as well which will protect the urn and the surrounding earth. Cremation costs may be impacted by the choice of urn or vessel for the cremains.
Do I need to purchase a casket?
The cremation process does not require a casket although there are caskets made specifically for this purpose: either a ceremonial casket or rental casket. In this case, the exterior of the casket may have been used previously but the interior is new. This is often more economical and better for the environment. This container can be made of wood or cardboard and will offer dignity for the deceased.
What happens to the ashes after the cremation process?
The cremated remains will be handled according to the family’s wishes. The remains can be kept at home, buried in the ground, inurned in a columbarium, or scattered on private or public property depending on state law. They can also be placed in a variety of objects such as parting stones, a bench outdoors or a piece of jewelry, blown glass, diamond or other keepsake.
Can there be a service with a cremation?
Yes. Cremation or burial is just the final disposition. The funeral, memorial, or celebration of life is the service in and of itself and is the aspect that helps honor the loss of a loved one. With a cremation, there are even more options for services. There can be a funeral service and a viewing prior to cremation or a memorial service with or without the remains present. There can also be a service to scatter or bury the remains. It is completely up to the wishes of the family.
