Our Cremation Safeguards

We have developed the most rigorous operating policies and procedures in order to ensure our level of quality and to minimize the potential for human error. By having our own crematory on premises, we are able to offer an unparalleled identification verification process in which your loved one never leaves our care. Positive identification of the deceased is assured throughout each stage of the cremation process.

Our 15 Point Mattingley-Gardiner Cares Cremation Policy consists of the following steps:

1. The decedent is provided an identification band upon being received into to our care.
2. Prior to a family viewing their loved one, management verifies the identification of the decedent.
3. The legally authorized next-of-kin, or their designee, is required to make positive identification and sign the required identification form, prior to cremation.
4. At the crematory, our certified crematory staff double-checks identification verification of the deceased, as well as all cremation paperwork to verify accuracy.
5. The crematory staff places a metal cremation disk engraved with a unique number assigned to the deceased, in the crematory chamber with the decedent for the cremation.
6. The unique cremation number from the cremation disk is recorded on all of the cremation paperwork for verification purposes after the cremation.
7. A non-serviceable flag is placed over the deceased and a flag retirement ceremony, including a prayer and the playing of TAPS is conducted for all honorably discharged veterans.
8. Families that choose to do so, upon request, are able to witness placement into the crematory and the beginning of the cremation process, even when a funeral service is not selected.
9. The cremation paperwork and crematory metal disk accompany the deceased and their cremated remains throughout the entire cremation, processing, and placement procedures.
10. All organic bone fragments, which are very brittle, as well as non-consumed metal items are “swept” into the front of the cremation chamber and collected in a stainless steel cooling pan. All non-consumed items, like metal snaps or buttons from clothing, joint replacements, and identifiable bridges or dental work, are separated from the cremated remains. This separation is accomplished through visual inspection as well as using a strong magnet for smaller metallic objects.
11. Remaining bone fragments are then processed in a machine to a consistent size and placed into a temporary or permanent urn, as selected by the family.
12. The funeral home staff verifies that the cremation disk associated with the cremated remains matches all of the paperwork to ensure proper identity, prior to placement in the urn or container selected by the family.
13. The funeral home staff places an identification tag, which includes: name of decedent, social security number, date of birth, date of death, name of our crematory and the unique cremation number into the plastic liner with the cremated remains, and secures the metal crematory identification disk to the outside of the liner that goes inside the urn or container.
14. The Crematory Supervisor then verifies that all paperwork matches the unique cremation number.
15. The Crematory Supervisor then signs a Certificate of Cremation that includes the name of the decedent, date of death, date of cremation, and the unique cremation number.

Cremation is a process which is always performed in a respectful and dignified manner. The entire team at Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services and Mattingley-Gardiner Crematory is dedicated to offering our caring support, our extensive knowledge and our expert guidance during such a difficult time.

All of this gives our families peace of mind knowing your loved one never leaves our care.