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What is a Cremation

Cremation Process and Options

Francisco Rivero

Licensed Funeral Director #FDR76

Reading Time:

2 minutes

Cremation Explained

In times of loss and grief, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the options available for honoring our departed loved ones. One increasingly popular choice is cremation. As a full-service funeral and cremation business in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, Pacific Interment is dedicated to providing compassionate support and guidance during these difficult times. In this post, we will explore what cremation entails, its process, and the various memorialization options associated with it.

What is Cremation? Cremation is a dignified and respectful alternative to traditional burial, which has gained significant acceptance in recent years. It is a process that involves the reduction of the deceased’s body to its basic elements through high-temperature flame-based or water-based methods. Once the cremation process is complete, the remains are returned to the family for final disposition according to their wishes.

The Cremation Process:

Documentation and Authorization: Before cremation, the funeral home obtains the necessary legal permits and completes the required documentation, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Identification and Preparation: A unique identification system is employed throughout the entire process to guarantee the correct identification of the deceased. Any personal belongings or items to be cremated with the individual are carefully documented.
Cremation Chamber: The body is placed inside a cremation chamber, often called a retort or cremator. It is heated to temperatures ranging from 1,400 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (760 to 1,090 degrees Celsius). The intense heat and flame reduce the body to bone fragments through a process called combustion.
Cooling and Processing: After the completion of the cremation process, the bone fragments are allowed to cool down. Once cooled, they undergo a process called processing or pulverization. This involves the use of specialized equipment to reduce the fragments into a finer, sand-like consistency known as cremated remains or “ashes.”
Final Disposition: The cremated remains are carefully placed in an urn or container selected by the family. Families can choose to keep the urn in their homes, place it in a columbarium or mausoleum, scatter the ashes in a meaningful location, or opt for other memorialization methods, such as creating memorial jewelry or incorporating the remains into an artificial reef.

Memorialization Options:

Cremation offers a wide range of memorialization options that allow families to personalize their loved one’s farewell. Some of these options include:

Traditional Memorial Service: Families can hold a traditional memorial service, similar to a funeral, where the urn or container is present. This service can include eulogies, music, prayers, and the sharing of memories.
Scattering of Ashes: Scattering the ashes in a location that held significance to the deceased or their family can be a meaningful way to say goodbye. It could be a serene natural setting, the ocean, or any other location that holds special meaning.
Columbarium or Mausoleum: Placing the urn in a columbarium or mausoleum provides a permanent and accessible place for loved ones to visit and pay their respects.
Memorial Jewelry or Keepsakes: Cremated remains can be transformed into beautiful memorial jewelry or keepsakes, allowing family members to carry a tangible reminder of their loved one close to their hearts.

Cremation is a deeply personal and increasingly popular choice for honoring and remembering departed loved ones. Understanding the cremation process and the various memorialization options available allows families to make informed decisions during a difficult time. Pacific Interment is committed to providing compassionate support and guidance to families in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, ensuring their loved ones’ final wishes are respectfully fulfilled.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cremation Explained
The Cremation Process:
Memorialization Options:

Client Reviews

    
 
 
        
   Norma L. 
 September 18, 2026
 
 
 Verified I'm starting feel like a family friend here.  Sadly within  5 years I had to use their services again for my Domestic Partner in January. This time I had a bit of time to prepare as we had to make decision to end life support. 
I went down to make the preparations and the young woman was great. Frank was also there so I just told him how much I appreciated their service over the years.
Again no pressure tactics to buy a certain kind of urn/casket etc. We were returning him to the Bay, so she helped me with the certification I needed from  SFDPH which I needed to provide to the vessel we were taking out to the Bay.  I thought I might have to pay a deposit and then when the body was received the rest. No, everything is paid once they received the body.
When the time came, I called them. The hospital requested to see if they could pick up the body within 4 hours, but they do charge extra. 
So Kaiser has an offsite morgue they store and they went to pick him up the next day. 
Everything is spelled out price wise and extremely reasonable and they treat you with dignity and again I was very happy with their service. Please be aware it can take a couple to three week to receive the ashes, if you are going that route, because the hold up is usually at the County/States Agencies, ie Vital Records, but once that is done, it is smooth sailing.
  
 
       
   Liam M. 
 August 4, 2026
 
 
 Verified I can't say enough about how wonderful everyone here has been to me and my family. Amanda was so incredible in particular. She went above and beyond to stay in communication and provide all the information we needed. Any time there were questions she got back to us incredibly quickly. My uncle passed away in San Francisco and our family is in Minneapolis. The kindness, compassion and willingness to help in any way possible made the whole process that much easier. Most of the arrangements were done by phone and email before we were able to fly out and pick up his cremains. When we arrived we were greeted with the same kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness as we had throughout the entire process. I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for everyone here and allowing us the ability to say goodbye to a man who was loved so deeply.
  
 
       
   Aimeé Hensley 
 February 24, 2026
 
 
  I worked with Amanda at Pacific Interment and she was wonderful.  We are not local and working from a distance created its own unique set of challenges but so far the cremation process has been the easiest.  Thank you for the respect and helpfulness in my families time of need.  They were detailed, thorough and extremely respectful.
  
 
       
   Adrian Stewart 
 January 20, 2026
 
 
  Very professional service
  
 
       
   Betty C. 
 December 25, 2025
 
 
 Verified Pacific Interment Mortuary and Crematory Service

During a very difficult time, I entrusted Pacific Interment Mortuary and Crematory Service with handling my mother's remains. This is a family-owned business, serving the community since 1985, and their care truly reflects that dedication.

Amanda was exceptionally caring, patient, and compassionate. I was under time pressure to complete paperwork for overseas travel, and she was incredibly sensitive to my situation. She carefully guided me through every step, helped with online forms, the death certificate, required letters, and clearly explained the entire process to ensure there were no mistakes or delays. Her experience, calm follow-through, and genuine empathy brought me great peace of mind.

The Emeryville facility also allows families to witness the cremation, which was very important to me. Francisco, the funeral director and crematory manager, was also resourceful and professional.

I am deeply grateful for their support and highly recommend Pacific Interment to anyone in need of compassionate, efficient, and trustworthy care.
  
 
       
   Oakland N. 
 September 28, 2025
 
 
 Verified I used them after my husband died at home in hospice. They were very prompt, handled him with dignity and respect. Took care of the county details and at a fair price. This is a very practical, no pressure business. Their services offered aligned nicely with our values and I'm happy and at peace with the process
  
 
       
   Chloe C. 
 September 8, 2025
 
 
 Verified I highly recommend Pacific Internment for their help and service in facilitating our Green burial.  
Amanda is a joy to work with and was so knowledgeable and helpful with all my many phone calls to her.
At the Green burial site, Frank, was beyond helpful in the burying of my friend.  We couldn't have managed it without him.
Pacific Internment is a class act and anyone using their services would be pleased. Thank you Amanda and Frank for making this unbearable time for us easier.  
Rinette Turner
  
 
       
   Tomanu T. 
 July 15, 2025
 
 
 Verified Frank, Amanda and Lazaro are very caring, understanding and empathetic. Thank you all for the amazing and unforgettable experience that my family and I had at your facility. It didn't feel like a mortuary. My son's, Devin, service was very sad but beautiful. The chapel was warm and the aromas were very pleasant. Frank helped me understand my son's service for it was a difficult situation. He was patient with me even when I was a bit stubborn. Amanda was wonderful with all the paperwork, emails and last minute changes. Lazaro was just amazing every time I would call to ask questions and I called a lot of times. He was just on point with all my questions and concerns. My family and I were also able to witness my son Devin's cremation. I never felt like we were rushed or hurried out. I highly recommend holding your loved one services at Pacific Interment Mortuary. Thank you Frank, Amanda and Lazaro.
  
 
       
   Wanda D. 
 July 10, 2025
 
 
 Verified I'm so sorry for your loss. And yet, it's inevitable for all of us. 

Let the lovely folks here take care of you and your loved one who has died. Transparent pricing and clear communication and no BS. I made the mistake of calling another place and got spammed with calls and emails from my one inquiry. The absolute last thing I needed when dealing with the grief of loss and of course all the other things that need to happen with a death. 

They picked her up. They provided the death certificates. They had environmentally friendly options for cremation, although we didn't go with that option because of price and also it wasn't her wishes. They also answered the phone at all hours. Because death happens outside of business hours. 

May this transition of your loved one also be an opening for you. Holding you with so much tenderness.
  
 
 
  
 
 
   Trustindex rating score: 4.5 of 5, based on 119 reviews