Who is Actually Caring for Your Loved One?
The Critical Importance of an In-House Crematory
Losing a loved one is one of life’s most profound challenges. During this emotional time, you're faced with making important decisions, and your primary goal is to ensure your family member is treated with dignity and respect. When you choose cremation, you place an immense amount of trust in the provider you select. But have you ever stopped to ask a crucial question: "Who is actually performing the cremation?"
Many funeral homes and even some low-cost cremation providers in the Oklahoma City area don't have their own crematory. They subcontract this sacred responsibility to a third-party, industrial facility.
At Oklahoma City Cremation, we do things differently. We own and operate our own private crematory. This means that from the moment your loved one enters our care, they never leave our compassionate custody until their ashes are returned to you. This isn't just a logistical detail—it's the cornerstone of our promise to you and your family.
The Peace of Mind of an Unbroken Chain of Custody
When a provider handles everything in-house, it provides a level of security and peace of mind that simply cannot be matched when outsourcing is involved.
Benefits of Working With Oklahoma City Cremation:
- Complete Accountability: We are solely responsible for every step of the process. There is no passing the buck or miscommunication between different companies. Our certified, professional staff oversees the entire journey with the utmost care.
- An Unbroken Chain of Trust: We implement a rigorous identification and tracking system. Your loved one is assigned a unique identification tag that remains with them throughout the entire process, from initial transport to the final return of their cremated remains. This guarantees you are receiving the ashes of your loved one and only your loved one.
- Guaranteed Dignity and Respect: We control the environment. Our facility is clean, secure, and operated by our own compassionate employees who are trained to our exacting standards. We treat every individual with the same reverence we would want for our own family.
- Timely and Efficient Service: By eliminating the middleman, we streamline the process. There are no delays waiting for a third-party's availability or dealing with transportation logistics between facilities. This often means your loved one's ashes can be returned to you sooner, providing comfort and closure.
- Direct and Clear Communication: When you have a question, you call us, and we have the answer. You won't be told, "We have to check with the crematory and get back to you." You have one consistent, knowledgeable point of contact who can provide immediate updates and reassurance.
The Hidden Risks of Outsourcing Cremation
When a funeral home or discount cremation society outsources the cremation, they introduce variables and risks that you, the grieving family, may not be aware of. While the initial price might seem lower, it's essential to understand what you might be sacrificing.
Risks Associated with Subcontracted Cremation:
- Increased Risk of Errors: The single greatest risk is a mix-up in identity. Every time a loved one is transferred from one company to another, the potential for human error increases. The chain of custody is broken, and accountability becomes blurred.
- Lack of Oversight: Does the funeral home you hired regularly inspect the third-party crematory? Do they know if the equipment is properly maintained or if the staff is certified? Often, they are just another "client" of a large, industrial facility that may serve dozens of funeral homes. You lose the personal assurance of quality control.
- Impersonal Care: Your loved one may be transported to a facility miles away, handled by people who have no connection to you or the funeral director you entrusted. The process can become transactional rather than personal and respectful.
- Potential for Delays: Coordinating between two separate companies can lead to frustrating delays and communication breakdowns. This adds unnecessary stress to an already difficult time.
An Investment in Certainty
Choosing a cremation provider is not about finding the cheapest price; it's about finding the greatest value. That value is found in trust, transparency, and the certainty that your loved one will be cared for with professionalism and grace.
While our services may not always be the absolute lowest price, the small additional cost is a direct investment in the quality of care, the security of our process, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly where your loved one is and who is caring for them.
When making this final, important decision, we encourage you to ask every provider this simple question: "Do you own your own crematory?" The answer will tell you everything you need to know about their commitment to your family's peace of mind.
The team at Oklahoma City Cremation is here to provide that certainty. If you have questions about our process or need to make arrangements, please call us anytime. We are here to serve you with compassion and transparency.
