There is a lot of documentation involved with death. Eco-friendly direct cremation simplifies the process as much as possible, but there are still many things to manage along the way.
One document you may receive is a cremation certificate, also known as the certificate of cremation. A cremation certificate is a document that the next of kin receives from the crematorium after a cremation is complete. It is verification that the cremation did occur and that it was the person who was intended to be cremated.
Here’s more important details about cremation certificates everyone should know before giving authorization to cremate.
What is on a Cremation Certificate?
A cremation certificate is going to contain certain information no matter where the crematorium is located. You can expect the cremation certificate to include:
- The deceased’s name
- Cremation tag identification number
- Date of the cremation
- Crematorium information (name, address, etc.)
- Signature of crematorium representative
As you can see, the cremation certificate doesn’t just state that a person is deceased but also that a cremation occurred. It’s a legal document that helps record accurate vital statistics data in terms of the disposition.
Is a Cremation Certificate the Same as a Death Certificate
Death certificates and cremation certificates contain similar information, but they serve two different purposes. The key differences are:
Origination
- A death certificate is issued by a physician, medical examiner or coroner.
- A cremation certificate is issued by the crematorium.
Purpose
- A death certificate is a legal recording that a death occurred and can be used to prove a death.
- A cremation certificate is used to verify a cremation took place and where.
Details
- A death certificate includes the deceased’s personal information like a Social Security number and the cause of death.
- A cremation certificate only contains a few personal details with more information on the crematorium.
Do You Need a Cremation Certificate?
There are certain documents you absolutely need to have, like a cremation authorization form and death certificate. A cremation certificate is another one of those documents. It’s going to be required just about everywhere to verify disposition happened as expected.
The cremation certificate isn’t as crucial as the death certificate in terms of managing the estate. However, there are some special circumstances where a cremation cretificate needs to be on hand. One example is if you plan to fly with the cremains. Most airlines will require a certificate of cremation be kept with the cremains whether they are in your possession, a carry on bag or checked luggage.
Green Cremation Texas has been helping local families through the cremation process for decades. We’ll hand the paperwork and get everything filed so that you have all the documentation you need when you need it.
Give us a call, text or email any hour of the day for personal assistance.