Rivera Family Funeral Home

Cremation information

Rivera Family Funeral Homes own & operate our own crematory-located at our Espanola location. All cremations are under our control and supervision. Arrangements for cremation are requested frequently, and for various reasons. Some families request cremation because of convenience or practicality, while others appreciate simplicity. Cremation arrangements can be less expensive when there are-no services, viewings or merchandise involved. The Catholic church accepts the practice of cremation and has initiated some guidelines pertaining to acceptable cremation practices and the body itself. They believe that the body itself should always be shown respect and reccomend that it be present during the recitation of the Holy Rosary, and the Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial. They prefer that cremation take place after the rosary and mass and that the body be present in its physical form. However it is acceptable for the cremated remains to be present in an urn at both the rosary and mass services. The cremated remains should not be divided in any way, and should be treated as would the body itself, by burial or placed in a niche. The church does not condone the scattering of cremated remains. We reccomend that you contact your minister or priest for guidance. Please consider the following when thinking about cremation; Cremation is not "final disposition". Final disposition takes place when the cremains are interred or buried, etc. It is also important to read the "cremation process" information in the cremation permission forms ("cremation authorization"), which describe steps involved during the cremation of the human body and other legal issues. By signing these legally required documents you are agreeing & accepting their terms & conditions. And because cremation is irreversable, please ask any questions or concerns you may have. We want you to understand everything involved, and make informed decisions. "Cremation Authorization" forms will need to be completed by the legal next of kin or legal representative as determined by New Mexico State Law, exceptions only allowed by direction of a judge. please keep in mind that the crematory staff will carefully review the documents for correctness, and must conform to written instructions only, no verbal instructions will be followed. Also, our company policy regarding cremation practices need to be adhered to, and the cremation will proceed only when all paperwork is in order. It's important to communicate with your funeral service professional regarding any special circumstances or details to avoid delays or problems. It is our responsibility to answer your questions, assist you in complying with the terms of the cremation authorization forms, and arrange for the securing of all required documents.

Reminders about cremation:

-Cremation will only be performed when all neccessary paperwork is secured, and a day & time has been scheduled for the cremation to take place. An extra fee may be charged for after hours & weekend cremations, additional days requiring refrigeration of the body itself while legal paperwork is being obtained,  as well as any alternative arrangements requiring additional staffing requirements, such as when witnessing is desired, or a reserved day & time is requested by the family.

-The death certificate must be signed by the primary physician in order to obtain the cremation permit from the medical investigators office. Weekends & holidays typically cause delays in obtaining required paperwork, thus resulting in possible additional refrigeration fees from the funeral home. Per state statute, refrigeration is required after 24 hours after death if the body has not been cremated, buried or embalmed. Our funeral home will work diligently to obtain required documents to help avoid any additional expenses to the family.

-Cremation fees are based on the service(s) or merchandise being provided. Fee's can vary depending on what is ultimately decided on by the next of kin, and can cost as-much as a traditional funeral. Any arrangements through our funeral home will be based on the decisions made by the family regarding; viewings, public or private services, merchandise and of course, the financial budget of the family.

-There are more legal documents to abide by when arranging for cremation, please be patient with the funeral professional assisting you, and ask any important questions. We are here to serve you and are concerned with your peace of mind. All instructions need to be in writing, verbal wishes are not recognized by our funeral home, and are not legal.

-Should you wish to arrange for any memorial services please allow for extra time, as paperwork issues can delay the cremation. A benefit of cremation is that a servoice can be held at a day & time that is best for the family, and need not be held quickly. And since the funeral home will most likely need 2-3 work days (minimum), any services should be planned around the cremation schedule itself.

-PLEASE request and read through our "General Price List" showing all of our offerings and their respective fee's. Our company will provide you with a detailed billing statement reflecting all charges.

And finally, all expenses for cremation will need to be paid before the cremation will take place. Thank you for your understanding & cooperation.

Please note..

"We own & operate our own crematory, located at our Espanola location. All cremations arranged through any of the Rivera Family Funeral Homes are completely in our control & under our supervision."