FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
How many death certificates should I get?
That really depends on the nature of a person’s estate and how many assets will need to be liquidated or transferred. We have found that five death certificates is a pretty typical number to order. Let’s look in more detail at who will need original certified death certificates and who can get away with photocopies.
Any entity that will be releasing or transferring funds will likely need an original certified death certificate. This can include investment accounts, IRAs, 401Ks, pension plans with survivor benefits, and life insurance. A financial advisor and any attorney who is administering a will or living trust will also usually need and original certified death certificate.
When accessing bank accounts, you can often show an original certified death certificate but leave them with a photocopy. This is also true when transferring real estate and automobile titles out of the deceased’s name. And, most utilities and credit card companies will accept a photocopy.
How does Social Security get notified of a death?
By law, a funeral director makes the official notification of a death to Social Security. We do this by submitting a form called an SSA-721 Statement of Death By a Funeral Director.
Is embalming required for a viewing?
Not necessarily. Generally embalming is an unnecessary procedure that we discourage, even for most viewings. However, there are times when it is advantageous. For instance, when a viewing is requested but must be delayed more than 5 to 7 days after death, for certain cultural rites, or when repatriating a foreign national to their home country. It should be noted that there are no laws in the United States that require embalming for burial, and in the cases of green burial and terramation, embalming is prohibited.
Can Wildflower Funeral Concepts work with any cemetery for a green burial or a traditional burial?
Yes. We can arrange for a green burial in any cemetery that offers it. We can arrange for a traditional burial, and burial of cremated or aquamated remains in any cemetery in Whatcom County, Western Washington, and beyond.
AQUAMATION
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the water cremation process work?
A body goes into a vessel with approximately 100 gallons of water, and 5% alkali (potassium and/or sodium hydroxide). The water is heated to around 200 degrees. This warm, water based, alkaline environment “unzips” all of the proteins that make up soft tissue, reducing them to their most basic elements: salts, sugars, peptides, and amino acids. The sterile liquid containing these basic elements is released into a wastewater treatment system. The resulting bone is dried at low temperatures and mechanically reduced to a fine powder similar to cremated remains.
What other names does aquamation go by?
Aquamation’s technical name is alkaline hydrolysis. It can also be referred to as water cremation, flameless cremation, green cremation, bio cremation, and resomation.
I had my knee replaced. What happens to metal in my body during aquamation?
All prosthetic implants (hip replacement, knee replacement, pins, screws, amalgam dental fillings) survive the aquamation process. Any metal left after the aquamation is completed is set aside for recycling.
Is aquation legal?
Because aquamation is a relatively new way of handling remains each state legislature has to pass a law to make it a legal form of disposition. Washington State made it legal in 2020. Aquamation is currently legal in 28 states with more working to pass legislation.
TERRAMATION
Frequently Asked Questions
How does terramation work?
A person is placed into a vessel with straw, alfalfa, and sawdust for approximately 30 days while airflow is gently moved through to stimulate the naturally occurring microbes. The microbes compost the person’s soft tissue, transforming it into safe, sterile, nutrient rich soil. The vessel is continually monitored with sensors and is gently turned at the appropriate time to facilitate the process. After composting, remains are screened for inorganic material such as prosthetic implants. Then bones are reduced to ¼ inch pieces and mixed back in with the composted material and placed into a second vessel to rest and cool for another 30 days. During the rest and cool phase bone material composts completely. After this the process is completed. The result is approximately 250 – 300 pounds of live giving soil with a volume of approximately 1 cubic yard. Families may receive the entire amount of soil, or any portion that they choose. Soil that families do not wish to claim is donated to restoration/conservation projects.
200 to 300 pounds of soil! But, my loved one only weighed 150 pounds. Where did all the extra weight come from?
The extra weight comes from all of the organics, straw, alfalfa, and sawdust that go into the process.
Do chemotherapy drugs persist in the soil?
During the first phase of terramation, microbial activity heats the vessel to approximately 170 degrees for several days. These temperatures destroy most chemicals that may have remained in someone’s system. But trace amounts of chemotherapy drugs may remain. If someone who has been terramated was receiving chemotherapy in the hours or days just before their death, you may want to abstain from planting anything consumable in their soil.
What other names does terramation go by?
The technical and legal term for terramation is natural organic reduction. It is also sometimes referred to as human composting. The media particularly likes that term. We like the word terramation. Terra = latin for earth or land + ation, which as a suffix makes nouns that indicate process, or result.
I have a titanium hip replacement. What happens to that?
Between the first phase and second phase of terramation, terramated remains are screened for non-organic material. All metal, things like hip replacements, knee replacements, pins, screws, and dental metal are removed for recycling.
Is terramation legal?
Yes. In 2020, Washington State, where terramation was invented, was the first state to make it legal. Since then, a total of 12 states have passed legislation, making it a legal form of disposition.
GREEN BURIAL
Frequently Asked Questions
Without a grave liner or burial vault, won’t the graves settle and collapse over time?
When the grave is closed after a green burial the common practice is to mound earth above the burial site. Burial mounds are usually about 2 feet tall. This mound enusures there is enough soil to accommodate any settling that occurs.
I have heard that green burial graves are shallow. Is that true?
A traditional grave is usually 5 to 6 feet deep. Green burial graves are typically 3½ to 4½ feet deep. This shallower depth places remains into a layer of soil where there are microbes, oxygen, and moisture to facilitate a rapid return to soil with no impact on groundwater.
Does the shallower depth of a green burial mean that there might be smells?
No. The smell barrier is eighteen inches of soil. Anything covered by eighteen inches of earth has no detectable odor. If burial is in a casket, which has more depth than a shroud, then the grave is dug on the deeper end of the 3½ to 4½ range to ensure proper coverage. And the 2 foot tall burial mound further ensures adequate soil coverage.
Can green burial graves be reused at some point in the future?
This can be done, though it is not typical. Excavating for the second burial can be challenging. Once soft tissue has returned to soil, that soil can be considered human remains and should be respected as such. Also, without a vault lid, it is hard to know when to stop excavating before reaching bones, which can remain intact for many years.
How long does it take to return to soil in a green burial?
This can vary widely depending on soil type, temperature, humidity, soil PH, and cause of death. Soft tissue may return to soil in as little as a few weeks, and may take up to a year. Bone can take from two to twenty years to completely return to the earth.
CREMATION
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that pre-planned cremation may be a new experience for many families. We have compiled some common inquiries to provide further information about our services.
What are the regulations around scattering ashes?
If you are scattering ashes on private property, you need the permission on the land owner. In Washington State There are no state laws in that prohibit scattering ashes, but local regulations may apply. You can scatter ashes in bodies of water under state control, including Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, rivers, streams, and lakes. And, you can scatter ashes in national parks with permission from the chief park ranger.
How long does a cremation take?
A cremation usually talks two to three hours.
I have a hip replacement. What happens to metal in my body during cremation?
All prosthetic implants (hip replacement, knee replacement, pins, and screws) survive the cremation process. Any metal left after the cremation is completed is set aside for recycling.
Can I have my loved one’s gold teeth before or after they are cremated?
Probably not. It is illegal “desecration of a corpse” for a funeral director to remove gold teeth prior to any form of disposition, including cremation. Only a dentist can legally remove teeth. Gold in teeth and fillings melts at 1300 degrees Fahrenheit. A crematory runs at 1800 – 2100 degrees Fahrenheit, making any dental gold unrecoverable.
What is the environmental impact of cremation?
Depending on how efficient the crematory is, one cremation burns about between 30 to 60 gallons of natural gas and releases about 575 pounds of carbon along with Nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, fine soot, and mercury.
RITUALS
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Wildflower Funeral Concepts connect our family to a non-religious funeral officiant?
Yes, Wildflower Funeral Concepts can assist your family in finding a secular or spiritual non-religious officiant. Every family has unique preferences, and religious affiliations may not align with everyone’s beliefs. We are here to honor and celebrate your and your loved one’s beliefs.
Do you arrange ash scattering ceremonies?
Absolutely. We can help you make arrangements for a meaningful ash scattering service. We can also provide resources to help you understand the legalities and necessary permits for ash scattering in Washington.
What is included in graveside funeral services?
Graveside services are held when burying someone in a casket or shroud, or when burying aquamated or cremated remains. They are often intimate ceremonies held at the burial site, where family and friends gather to say their final goodbyes. They may include eulogies, prayers, simple rituals, songs and personal tributes and may be led by a religious or non-religious officiant. For veterans, a graveside service may incorporate military honors. A graveside funeral service provides a meaningful farewell in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Does Wildflower Funeral Concepts offer grief and loss support?
Yes, Wildflower hosts two groups that meet monthly at the funeral home to discuss grief and death and to provide professional support after the death of a loved one. We can also put your in touch with other bereavement loss resources. Please see our Grief Resources page for more information.
What is a Laying In Ceremony?
A Laying In Ceremony is specific to terramation or human composting. Family and friends can gather and be present when a decedent is placed into the vessel they will be terramated in. The decedent, dressed in a compostable gown, is laid on a bed of straw, alfalfa, and sawdust. Those gathered can place more of these organics in with their person and any mementoes they would like to send them with. Family and friends may craft meaningful ceremonies and rituals at the Laying In. Wildflower Funeral Concepts has a custom-made Terramation Transition Vessel to hold Laying In Ceremonies in our Ferndale Funeral Home, or local church, family home, or other venue.
What are wake services for funerals?
Traditionally, wakes are vigils to keep watch over the deceased before they go to their final disposition. While this can still be the case usually, in our contemporary western culture, wakes are informal gatherings where family and friends come together to remember the deceased. They typically involve telling stories, sharing music, and providing comfort over refreshments. A wake may also include viewing the body. Wakes can be held at the family’s home, in a restaurant or bar, or other designated location and can include religious or cultural customs. Wildflower is honored to host wakes in it our beautiful, welcoming funeral home.