Q. How does the Cremation Society work?
A. Cremation Society should be notified at the time of death. Our staff will respond to the location of passing and receive the loved one into our care. Usually the next business day, the legal next-of-kin meets with our licensed funeral directors, the cremation authorization is signed, legal permits have been secured, the body is prepared for the funeral service, visitation or viewing or Simply Dignified™ Cremation. Once cremation is complete, the cremated remains are placed in the selected urn or container and available for pick-up or delivery.
Q. Do you Sub-Contract or Broker your Cremations?
A. No. Our crematories are located on-site in Marietta and Stockbridge, Georgia and are operated by our certified crematory technicians. We only work for the families that choose us directly and never cremate for other funeral homes or other crematories. Since most funeral homes do not own and operate their own crematory and outsource their cremations to others, we feel that you should choose a funeral provider that has its own on-site crematory and does not cremate for others.
Q. Have you ever been connected to the Tri-State Crematory?
A. No. Since we have never cremated for other funeral homes or cremation societies, we were asked to be expert witnesses on the Tri-State Crematory civil trial. We are honored that we were asked to represent how a crematory should be operated: safely, honestly and with dignity and respect.
Q. What is the cost for the Simply Dignified™ Cremation (Direct Cremation)?
A. The cost of the Simply Dignified™ Cremation is only $895.00 for Protected Lifetime Members and $1,295.00 for non-members. Hospice patients receive the Protected Member rate.
Q. May I pre-pay the cremation costs?
A. Yes, and you receive our guarantee that this is all you will ever pay for your cremation services. At the time of death, we will handle the arrangements promised. Prepayments are placed in an insurance policy for your protection. Away-from-home travel protection is available for $10.
Q. Are there any other fees payable?
A. Yes. Depending on the services you have arranged, there will always be charges for items such as document procurement, certified copies of the death certificate issued by the county of death, selected merchandise, newspaper obituaries and cemetery expenses.
Q. Why do you put your prices online and others do not?
A. We want to inform everyone about our prices. We do not understand why other Cremation Societies and Funeral Homes do not put their prices out in the open.
Q. Why are your prices more affordable than local funeral homes and other cremation societies?
A. We do not participate in the high mark-ups that funeral homes traditionally operate under.
We feel that death should not be a burden on the survivors and choose to operate our business on slim margins but with the volume of serving over 1,600 families per year.
Q. Does Social Security and veterans' benefits apply to the payment of services?
A. Social Security pays a lump sum death benefit of $255* to a living legal spouse and not the cremation society.
Veterans may apply for reimbursement or cash benefits to be paid to the family or next-of-kin. Additional veteran services include a U.S. burial flag, free grave space, headstones or markers, Presidential certificates and military honors. *most current information available.
Q. What happens if the death occurs while traveling out of the area or state?
A. SouthCare Cremation Society serves the entire state of Georgia and will handle arrangements when the passing occurs outside of the state. Additional fees may apply.
Q. Is embalming required?
A. No. The body does not have to be embalmed, unless the deceased is to be prepared for a public viewing service. We do allow private identification viewings without embalming.
Q. Will my cremation take place if I have no survivors?
A. Yes. Pre-arranging with the Cremation Society shows your intent to be cremated; however, a family member or personal representative needs to sign the required authorization for cremation. A Healthcare Directive / POA is preferred.
Q. Can family members view the cremation?
A. Yes. You can view our staff placing the deceased into the crematory chamber. We will always allow family members, if requested, the opportunity to view the cremation. An alternative container will be required to view the cremation placement.
Q. May I inspect the crematory?
A. Sure. Inspections are always welcomed. Out of respect to the other families we serve, we will schedule a time for you to come to the crematory so that other cremations are not being performed.
Q. How do we know that we get the right cremated remains back?
A. We use sophisticated identification and tracking procedures including stainless steel, individually numbered identification discs, fingerprinting and identification tags. The steel tags have our name and a cremation number stamped into them. Throughout the cremation process, the identification disc remains with the body.
Upon cremation this steel tag is placed with the cremated remains. The cremated remains are then given to your family to be buried, scattered or kept at home. The unique identification number is listed in our files and cataloged in our databases.
Q. How many cremations does SouthCare Cremation Society perform and how many retorts do you operate?
A. SouthCare Cremation Society performs over 1,600 cremations per year and operates four crematory systems or retorts.
Q. What happens to the cremains after cremation?
A. Your cremated body (cremated remains or cremains) will be handled according to your written instructions. They may be returned to your survivors, scattered at sea or over certain designated land areas, or buried at the cemetery of your choice.
Q. May I change my instructions in the future?
A. Yes. You may change any instructions you wish by just contacting us.
Q. Is an urn required?
A. No. Urns are not required by any state or federal law; however, most families either purchase or provide an urn.
Q. Is the Cremation Society licensed by the state of Georgia?
A. Yes. The SouthCare Cremation Society has an establishment license and, like all funeral homes, we employ licensed funeral directors and embalmers to offer the same goods and services.
Q. How do I make pre-arrangements with the SouthCare Cremation Society?
A. You may register and pay online or contact our offices for a registration form. The membership cost is $25 per person or $15 each if registered with another person (at the same time). Your information is cataloged in our computer system and your paper copies are protected in a fireproof environment. At the time of death, we will present your loved ones with the actual copy of your detailed description and service requests.
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