You can arrange a simple cremation for a hospice passing quite quickly. Still, the exact timeline depends on several factors, including state laws, the completion of the necessary paperwork, and, of course, any family preferences. Beginning arrangements when the hospice staff advises that a passing is imminent can help. Read on as we walk you through the steps and approximate timeline.
Here are some key steps in the process:
1. The Hospice Pronouncement of Death
When someone passes in hospice care, a hospice nurse or physician will officially pronounce the death and complete the necessary documentation, including the time and cause of death. You may be present at this time, or if not, your hospice contact will notify you of your loved one’s passing.
Timeline: This happens immediately upon passing.
2. Notifying the Cremation Provider of the Death & Hospice of Your Chosen Provider in Preparation for the Collection of the Deceased
Once the death has been pronounced, you can notify the cremation provider or funeral home that the death has occurred. If you’ve already contacted a cremation provider and made some pre-arrangements for a cremation, this process will move faster.
The hospice will already have a note of which cremation provider to call and, with your agreement, can often make the call for collection on your behalf.
If you have not already selected a cremation service provider, the hospice will ask you to make arrangements for a service to collect the deceased. You will need to select a provider and then notify the hospice of your chosen service provider. DFS Memorials can help you find an affordable direct cremation provider for a hospice direct cremation service. The DFS network of cremation providers offers simple cremation services starting at $795.
Timeline: You can contact the Cremation Provider immediately after the pronouncement.
3. Transportation of Your Loved One to the Crematory or Funeral Home
The cremation provider will coordinate the transportation of the body from the hospice to the funeral home or crematory.
Timeline: Typically, this happens within a few hours of notification.
4. Obtaining and Completing the Legal Paperwork Required for Cremation
Death Certificate:
The funeral director will obtain the official death certificate for you and ask you how many copies you need. You must have at least one, but typically, 3-5 are advisable for closing a person’s estate, etc.
In some states, the death certificate is issued by a local medical authority or coroner.
Cremation Authorization:
Most states require a signed cremation authorization from the next of kin before proceeding. This ensures the family consents to the cremation. If there is more than one next of kin (siblings), a majority of signatures are usually required.
Medical Examiner Approval:
Several states require medical examiner or coroner approval before cremation can take place, even if a person dies in a hospice or nursing home under natural circumstances. These requirements are designed to ensure that the cause of death is properly reviewed and documented.
The specific laws and regulations can vary from state to state, so if you are arranging a cremation in one of the states listed below, it’s important to work closely with the funeral home or cremation provider to ensure all legal requirements are met. They will typically handle the paperwork and coordinate with the medical examiner on your behalf.
States Requiring Medical Examiner Approval:
- Massachusetts – The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner must authorize all cremations.
- New York – A medical examiner or coroner must approve cremation, regardless of where the death occurs.
- Texas – Medical examiner approval is required for all cremations.
- Florida – The district medical examiner must sign off on every cremation.
- California – Medical examiner or coroner approval is required before cremation.
- Ohio – The coroner must approve any cremation.
- Illinois – Approval by the medical examiner or coroner is mandatory before a cremation is performed.
- Michigan – Cremation requires authorization from the medical examiner in the county where the death occurred.
- New Jersey – The medical examiner must give approval for all cremations.
- Pennsylvania – The local coroner or medical examiner must approve cremation before it can proceed.
Timeline: Completing this paperwork part of the process can take anywhere from 1-10 days, depending on the state’s laws and the speed at which the paperwork is processed. A requirement for ME Approval can sometimes delay the cremation process slightly.
5. Mandatory Waiting Period Before a Cremation can be Performed
Many states require a waiting period before a cremation can be performed. This is often 24-48 hours after the death has been pronounced. The purpose of the waiting period is to allow time for any necessary investigations or family decisions.
Visit US Funerals Online Cremation Guides By State to learn more about any state rules governing arranging a cremation near you.
Timeline: The mandatory waiting period is generally 24-48 hours, depending on the state.
6. Scheduling of the Cremation
Once all legal documents are in order and the waiting period has passed, the cremation can be scheduled. If a cremation provider operates their own cremation retort, quicker scheduling can be arranged if necessary.
Timeline: Depending on the availability of the crematory, this can usually be arranged within 1-3 days.
7. Next of Kin Receiving the Cremation Ashes
After the cremation is complete, the ashes are typically ready for the family to pick up within a couple of days. If preferred or needed, the cremated remains can also be mailed to the family, especially for out-of-state family members.
Timeline: Receiving the ashes usually takes 1-3 days after the cremation.
Total Estimated Timeline for the Cremation Process from Person Passing in Hospice to Receiving the Cremation Ashes
In total, the cremation process, from the time of passing to receiving the ashes, typically takes between 5 to 10 days, depending on state laws and how quickly paperwork and approvals are completed. If everything goes smoothly, the cremation could be completed in as little as 48-72 hours after death.
Tips for Speeding Up the Cremation Process for a Hospice or Nursing Home Passing
Pre-Arrange the Cremation: If you have pre-arranged the cremation, the process will move much more quickly since the provider will already have the necessary information and paperwork on file.
Keep Documents Ready: Ensure that the next of kin is available to sign the cremation authorization as soon as possible.
Choose a Cremation Provider: If you haven’t already selected a cremation provider, do so as soon as possible after the passing to avoid any delays.
By working with the hospice care team and a reliable cremation provider, you can ensure the process moves as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Remember: Visit the DFS Memorials website to find a local provider and price.
How to Reduce End-of-Life Final Arrangement Cost for a Hospice Patient.
I have been researching and writing about the death care industry for the past fifteen years. End-of-life services and experiences are topics most people avoid thinking about until they must face them. My work provides comprehensive and independent resources for families, explaining the workings of the funeral industry, the laws governing funeral practices, and the death care trends that impact consumers. With a BA in Cultural Studies, I bring a unique perspective to analyzing cultural death care rituals, complemented by a career background in Business Management. The death care industry is undergoing significant changes, which I find fascinating. The shift towards cremation services and the emergence of sustainable alternatives like aquamation and human composting are of particular interest. I am also intrigued by how technology is reshaping the funeral planning process and experience. I write for US Funerals Online and DFS Memorials LLC, and contribute to various forums and publications within the death care industry.
