Cremation in Truro, Nova Scotia: What to Expect
There are many choices to make when planning a funeral for a loved one, and they can add stress to an already difficult time. However, knowing what to expect beforehand can help relieve stress and help simplify the arrangement process. This article discusses the steps involved in making arrangements for cremation through Eirene in Truro, Nova Scotia.
Cremation arrangements in Truro
At Eirene, we offer compassionate end-of-life care to Nova Scotia residents while providing ongoing support and guidance to their grieving families. We also simplify the funeral planning process with our online arrangement system. It allows families to skip in-person meetings and make arrangements online via our website.
Our website also provides helpful resources for families. Check out the blog and help centre for end-of-life education and support, learn more about Eirene, or browse our online urn catalog. The catalog offers a wide selection of urns at a range of affordable prices, with free shipping to Truro and Nova Scotia addresses (and any address in Canada).
Visitors can also view our available cremation funeral arrangement packages by clicking "services" or "pricing" in the website's top menu. In Truro, families can choose between three packages - simple, standard, and witnessing. We also provide prepaid arrangement services.
Start the online booking process on our website by clicking "Start Arranging" in the top right corner. Choose the services that best suit your needs, and an online form is available to be completed independently or with the help of our team. Contact us at (782) 400-5185 or via email at support@eirene.ca for assistance. A member of our team will take information over the phone and walk you through completing cremation arrangements.
Arrangements can also be made on the phone or via email if preferred. In-person meetings are available upon request and by appointment only. Our meeting facility is located near Mill Cove on the Bedford Basin (approximately 1.5 hours from Truro).
Once initial arrangements and logistics are handled, our staff corresponds with the crematorium partner location in Lower Sackville (approximately 1 hour from Truro) to coordinate services.
Transferring your loved ones to our facility in Truro
Once Eirene's services have been confirmed, and the required documentation is secured, our staff will facilitate the transfer of the deceased person's body from the place of death to our crematorium partner in Lower Sackville.
Funeral documentation and logistics in Truro
Eirene handles most of the cremation documentation and responsibilities, such as collecting payments, securing the Medical Certificate of Death and required approvals, etc. Once the body is identified and permits are received from the Nova Scotia government, the crematorium is contacted to facilitate cremation.
Eirene offers a package that allows families to view their deceased loved ones before the cremation or witness the cremation. Witnessing takes place at the crematorium partner in Lower Sackville. (More information on the witnessing package is here.)
When opting for the witnessing package, it is essential to note that, in Nova Scotia, embalming may be required in specific scenarios.
In Nova Scotia, embalming is not required if the deceased is not being viewed prior to cremation. If the deceased person will be viewed, the viewing can take place without embalming within 72 hours of the time of death. If the deceased is being viewed prior to cremation and death occurred more than 72 hours after the scheduled viewing time, embalming is required.
If a loved one dies outside Truro or surrounding areas, we use a crematorium partner closest to the place of death. This is assessed on a case-by-case and geographic basis and in consultation with our client families.
Cremation process
Once documentation, permits, payments, etc., are completed, the body is prepared for cremation.
Medical implants (e.g., pacemakers) that are dangerous to crematorium staff are removed. Other metals, like joint replacements, remain in the body. Combustible materials stay with the body throughout the process.
Next, an Eirene funeral director will verify the deceased person's identity by using the photograph provided during the arrangements. Personal effects (e.g., jewelry) are inventoried and returned to the family or remain with the person during cremation. The body is placed in a cremation case while the cremation date and time are scheduled. The deceased person's identity is verified again before the cremation process begins.
Cremation involves exposing a body to extreme heat (around 760 to 980 Celsius / 1400-1800 F) inside the cremation chamber. These conditions consume organic matter in the body, leaving behind bone fragments and metals made from non-combustible materials.
Metals are removed and recycled after a cooling period. Bone fragments are reduced to a coarse grey or brown powder known as cremated remains or ashes. These are placed in a basic vessel and returned to the family.
Returning your loved one's ashes
After cremation, our staff picks up the cremated remains from our crematorium partner location. We then make an appointment with each family to deliver their loved ones' ashes.
Depending on the package selected, we will either arrange for the pick-up of the cremated remains with the family at our office or arrange hand delivery to the next of kin's home in Truro (or other areas in Nova Scotia). Cremated remains will never be left on someone's doorstep or in a mailbox. This is the standard in all Eirene locations.
Documents needed to handle estate matters (e.g., Funeral Director Statements of Death) are provided to the family when they receive their loved one's ashes. As part of our standard package, we also share a link with families to create an account with Eirene's partner, Cadence. The team at Cadence assists families with after-death matters that must be completed by an executor or authorized decision-maker.
Cremation cost in Truro
Cremation costs in Truro can vary from larger, more densely populated cities (e.g., Halifax) in Nova Scotia or other parts of Canada. You can see a detailed discussion of cremation pricing for Nova Scotia cities in the article called Cremation Cost in Nova Scotia.
You can see Eirene's cremation package prices for Truro and all of Nova Scotia here.
Cremation payment plans available to Truro families
At Eirene, we believe in providing quality and affordable death care to all clients. To help with this, we have partnered with Affirm, a service that offers financial assistance to clients. It allows families to make installment payments for desired services with no hidden fees or late fees. Eirene will also work to find a payment plan for families ineligible for an Affirm payment plan.
Funeral financial assistance
Learn more about additional funeral financial assistance in the articles below.
- Nova Scotia Funeral Financial Assistance Programs
- How the Canada Pension Plan Death Benefit Can Help Fund a Funeral
- What Government Funeral Assistance is Available if You Can't Afford End-of-Life Expenses in Canada
- What if You Can't Afford to Die? Tips for Funding Funeral Costs
- Funeral homes in Nova Scotia
- Funeral home in Halifax
- Funeral homes in Truro
What makes cremation arrangements with Eirene in Truro unique
At Eirene, we understand how challenging funeral planning can be for grieving families. That is why we strive to simplify cremation arrangements, allowing families to have as much or as little involvement as they would like in their loved one's final arrangements. We also provide continuous support and guidance, walking families through each step of the process.
Families enter the required information on our online platform, pay a flat rate, and have Eirene handle the rest. Our all-inclusive cremation packages are itemized and easily accessible to clients. And there are no surprises or hidden fees.
Questions about cremation in Truro?
For questions about cremation in Truro and all communities in Nova Scotia, reach out to our licensed funeral director via email at support@eirene.ca or call (782) 400-5185.
Image credit for photo, top of page: From Wikipedia: Purpletramp - CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17639317
