Q: After my funeral, I want my body cremated. Choosing a funeral home isn’t difficult, but how do I choose a crematory?

A: It’s a good idea to get this information before this service.

Practically all funeral homes in the United States offer cremation services, yet cremation services at all funeral homes and crematories aren’t the same.

There are about 1,800 crematories in the United States. The majority are part of a funeral home and/or cemetery operation. Others are free standing, not affiliated with any particular funeral home or cemetery.

Most of the 20,000 funeral homes in the country don’t operate their own crematory but contract with an outside crematory for this service. They’re like a “broker of services.” Most consumers accept the recommendation of their funeral director in choosing a crematory.

The funeral director knows the service providers in his/her area and their reliability and trustworthiness. He or she is familiar with their practices and the quality of their work. The funeral director relies on this knowledge in making a recommendation.

In addition to numerous services and aspects of care (transferring and sheltering the body, embalming and/or other care, completing the death certificate and more), the funeral home will assist you in completing a “cremation authorization” form. Before the cremation may take place, this legal document must be signed by the person(s) legally entitled to authorize the cremation.

The funeral home schedules the day and time of the cremation with the crematory. After all funeral ceremonies have taken place, the funeral home transports the body to the crematory. When the cremation is complete, the cremated remains will be returned to the funeral home.

In choosing cremation, here are some things to keep in mind:•Discuss your wishes with your family so they’re aware of your decision to be cremated. It’s best to put your wishes in writing.•Discuss post-cremation options. What’s to be done with the cremated remains? Will all or a portion of them be retained by someone, buried or scattered? The funeral home will not hold cremated remains for a long period of time.•Have the funeral director explain all steps that take place from the time of death through the funeral ceremony and delivery of the body to the crematory to returning the cremated remains to the family.•Ask the funeral director about the crematory they use.

Where is it located? Who’s the owner? Is there more than one crematory to choose from? If so, how do you choose? Does the crematory belong to any reputable professional organizations? Does the crematory willingly make witnessing available? How and under what conditions is the body held until it is cremated? What are the crematory’s procedures for maintaining the identity of the body from the moment they receive it until the cremated remains are returned? What is the crematory facility like?•The best funeral homes exercise “due diligence” and conduct inspections of all local crematories they recommend. Ask the funeral home when they conducted their last inspection of the crematory.•Ask who delivers the decedent to the crematory. This shouldn’t be “jobbed out,” but personally done by the funeral home.•What’s the policy for returning cremated remains to the family? The cremation authorization form should specify who can receive the cremated remains.•In the event you do not use a funeral home and you choose a free-standing cremation service, I suggest you make a personal visit to the operation to see that it meets your standards.•Choose a cremation provider with a reputation for excellent service, a history of community involvement and a willingness to provide information. Cremation and funeral services are very personal. Key in making your decision is the feeling you get when talking with them.

Mike Kubasak is a licensed funeral director, embalmer and certified crematory operator.A consultant and lecturer, he can be reached by calling (702) 345-3212 or e-mailing mkubasak@aol.com.