Cremation in Hamilton: What to Expect

There are many factors to consider when planning a cremation, but knowing what to expect and what options are offered can help make the process easier. This article explains how to arrange a cremation in Hamilton, Ontario through Eirene.

Arranging cremation in Hamilton

At Eirene, we aim to make cremation arrangements straightforward. One of the ways we do this is by allowing clients to skip in-person visits and make arrangements virtually through our online platform. Our website also provides helpful end-of-life resources and guidance, and we invite you to visit it before making arrangements.

You will find our blog and help centre with educational and informative articles, advice, and tips on the website. Learn more about Eirene, our staff, and the services we offer. Visitors can also check out the online urn catalog. It offers a wide selection of urn options to suit various needs and budgets. Free shipping is available to Hamilton and area addresses (and across Canada).

Arrangements packages are itemized and easily accessible to clients. Click "services" or "pricing" in the company website's top menu. Cremation and aquamation (also known by the scientific name "alkaline hydrolysis") services are offered in Hamilton. Eirene also has prepaid arrangement services.

Click "Start Arranging" in the top right corner of the webpage to begin the online arranging process. This opens a menu that lists Eirene's cremation service options. Pick the option that best suits your needs. This then leads to forms that can be completed independently or with support from Eirene's staff. A licensed funeral director will also collect client information over the phone and walk a client family through the steps to finalize arrangements.

Our team can be contacted at 647-955-4375 or via email at support@eirene.ca for assistance. Arrangements can also be made entirely on the phone or via email if preferred. A video conferencing call is also possible. In-person meetings at Eirene's office in downtown Hamilton are available upon request and by appointment only.

Our staff will correspond with our cremation partner in Burlington to coordinate cremation services once arrangements have been finalized.

Transferring your loved one in Hamilton

Upon confirmation of Eirene's services, our staff  facilitates the transportation of the deceased person's body from the place of death to the crematorium partner in Burlington.

Transporting a deceased person's body in a private vehicle in Ontario is legal. Families can contact Eirene's team to discuss this arrangement if desired.

Documentation and logistics in Hamilton

Eirene handles cremation planning and logistics. This includes collecting information from the family, completing cremation documentation, obtaining a burial permit, collecting payments, etc.

Once the paperwork is completed, and payment is received, we correspond with our partner in Burlington to facilitate cremation. Identification or witnessing of the deceased person or the cremation can be arranged at the facility on request. However, visitation services cannot be held on the premises. Still, family and close friends can identify their loved one before cremation, observe the cremation container as it is placed into the cremation chamber, and initiate the cremation process if desired. (More information on the "Witnessing" package is here).

If a person dies outside of the Hamilton area, the cremation may take place at the cremation facility in Burlington or be referred to one of Eirene's Ontario partners in North Bay, Peterborough, and Ottawa. This depends on location and logistics and is selected on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the deceased person's family.

Cremation process

Before cremation takes place, the deceased person's body is prepared. Medical implants (e.g. defibrillators) that are dangerous to crematorium staff are removed. Jewelry is also removed and returned to the deceased person's family. Other materials (e.g. metal fillings) and clothes remain on the body.

Cremation involves exposing bodies to extreme heat (760 to 980 C / 1400 to 1800 F) in a chamber. This reduces organic matter, leaving behind bone fragments and non-combustible materials (e.g., surgical or dental metals).

After a cooling period, metals are removed and recycled, and bone fragments are reduced to a coarse grey or brown powder known as cremated remains or ashes. Cremated remains are placed in an urn or container, as directed by the family, and returned (this is further discussed below).

Returning your loved ones' ashes

After cremation, our staff picks up the urn or container from the crematorium in Burlington. Afterwards, an appointment is made with families to ensure in-person delivery of their loved one's ashes. Cremated remains will never be left on someone's doorstep or in a mailbox. This is the standard in all locations we serve.

During in-person delivery, a staff member will also provide the deceased person's family with documents required to handle estate matters (e.g., death certificates). However, documents can be sent by mail using Canada Post's express service if needed faster. Our staff will also provide a link to create an account with Eirene's partner, Cadence, a company that assists families with after-death affairs that the executor or authorized decision maker (next of kin) must complete.

Cremation cost in Hamilton, Ontario

Cremation costs in Hamilton are on par with other larger cities in Canada. You can see a detailed discussion of cremation pricing for Hamilton and other Ontario cities and towns in this article called Cremation Cost in Ontario. To see the cost of cremation packages from Eirene, click here.

Funeral payment plans available to Hamilton area families

Providing affordable, accessible, and quality death care is our mission at Eirene. That is why we have partnered with Affirm to help relieve some of the financial burden on loved ones. Affirm allows clients to pay using an installment plan with no hidden fees or late fees.

Eirene will also offer payment alternatives to families ineligible for an Affirm plan.

Learn more about additional funeral financial assistance in the articles below. Families can also contact Eirene by phone (647-955-4375) or email (support@eirene.ca) for information.

• Ontario Funeral Financial Assistance Programs
• How Ontario Works Funeral Assistance Works
• 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

Additional cremation resources:

• Cremation: Questions and Answers
• Cremation Cost in Ontario
• Cremation Services in Ontario
• Cremation Services in Hamilton

What makes Eirene's cremation arrangements in Hamilton unique

There are many factors to consider when planning a cremation, and the myriad of available options can make the process more challenging. At Eirene, we aim to make cremation planning simple while guiding and supporting grieving families through every step of the process.

Eirene's all-inclusive cremation and aquamation packages are itemized and easily accessible. Our online platform allows families to choose how much or how little to be involved in their loved one's final arrangement. Families enter the required information, pay a flat rate, and have Eirene handle the rest. There are no surprises or hidden fees.

Questions about cremation in Hamilton?

For questions about cremation in Hamilton and all communities we serve in Ontario, contact our expert team via email at support@eirene.ca or call us at 647-955-4375. You can also see all the locations that we serve across Canada here.