At Lewis Funeral Home, we’ve had the privilege of serving the San Antonio community for over five decades. With time, compassion, and care as our cornerstones, we’ve walked alongside countless families through some of their most difficult moments. One of the most common questions we receive today revolves around cremation. What it entails, how it compares to traditional burial, and how families can make the process meaningful. In this guide, we’d like to offer our insight into cremation services, hoping it helps you feel more confident and informed as you explore end-of-life options for yourself or your loved ones.
Understanding Cremation, What It Is and What It Isn’t
When we talk with families about cremation, the first thing we do is demystify the process. Cremation is simply one method of final disposition, an alternative to traditional burial, where the body is reduced to its basic elements through high heat and flame in a specially designed cremation chamber. Contrary to some misconceptions, cremation doesn’t mean you forgo a meaningful service or that you must skip viewing or memorial traditions. In fact, it often opens the door to more flexible, personalized ceremonies. Whether you’re considering a religious service beforehand, a private family goodbye, or a celebration of life at a later date, cremation can accommodate your wishes.
Why More Families Are Choosing Cremation
Over the years, we’ve seen a significant shift in preferences. Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed a clear shift in how families choose to honor loved ones. In fact, according to a recent study done by NFDA, the U.S. cremation rate climbed from about 60.5% in 2023 to a projected 61.9% in 2024. Families across San Antonio and beyond are increasingly choosing cremation for a variety of reasons. Some are drawn to its affordability; others appreciate the flexibility it offers in planning a memorial at a later time or location.
Environmental concerns also play a role, as some families prefer cremation’s smaller land footprint compared to traditional burial. At Lewis Funeral Home, our role is to support each family’s unique values, spiritual beliefs, and financial circumstances. We never push one option over another, we simply provide the information, options, and support to help families make the right choice for them.
The Cremation Process Step-by-Step
We find that transparency helps ease anxiety, so here’s a general overview of how cremation works at Lewis Funeral Home. Starting with authorization, we begin with obtaining all necessary legal documents, including cremation permits and the family’s written consent. Secondly, preparation, where the body is respectfully prepared, including removing any items that may affect the cremation process such as medical devices or jewelry, if desired by the family. Third, cremation starts as the body is placed in a combustible container and cremated in our licensed facility.
Next, processing comes after cooling, the remains are processed into a fine, sand-like consistency known as cremated remains or ashes. And finally, the return to family comes when the ashes are carefully placed in a temporary container or an urn chosen by the family and returned to their care. This process typically takes seven to 10 days, though we keep families informed every step of the way.
Cremation and Funeral Services
It’s a common misconception that cremation means forgoing a funeral or memorial. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, cremation offers more flexibility in how and when you honor a loved one. At Lewis Funeral Home, we offer traditional funerals with cremation, which includes a service with a viewing and ceremony before cremation. We also offer memorial services after cremation, such as a personalized gathering after the cremation has taken place.
Finally, we offer simple cremation for those who prefer a direct, no-service option, though we always encourage families to find some personal way to reflect and remember. Whether you’re planning a church service, a backyard gathering, or something entirely unique, cremation can be part of it. We’ll help ensure the tone, location, and traditions reflect the life and values of your loved one.
Personalized Touches to Make Cremation Meaningful
Over the years, we’ve seen how the smallest touches can have the biggest impact. Personalization doesn’t have to be extravagant. It just has to be meaningful. Some ideas families have chosen include a memory table filled with photographs and personal items, favorite music played during a memorial, a video tribute or slideshow, handwritten notes from loved ones read aloud, and a candle-lighting ceremony.
One San Antonio family we served recently scattered ashes during a hike at Enchanted Rock, with each sibling sharing stories before letting go of a handful of ashes. Another family released biodegradable lanterns into the sky after a backyard celebration of life. These moments help shape healing.
Costs and Value, What to Expect with Cremation
Cremation tends to be more cost-effective than traditional burial, primarily because it eliminates the need for embalming, caskets, and burial plots, though families can still choose to include any of those. At Lewis Funeral Home, we’re committed to transparent pricing. Our cremation packages range from basic to full-service, and we’re always happy to walk you through what’s included.
We never want a family to feel pressured. Instead, we focus on helping you create value in the experience, no matter your budget. Remember this isn’t just about cost, it’s about honoring a life in a way that feels right to you.
Legal Considerations and Documentation
We understand that navigating paperwork during a time of grief can be overwhelming. That’s why we handle as much as we can on your behalf. For cremation in Texas, there are a few legal steps that must be completed such as signed authorization from next of kin, a mandatory 48-hour waiting period from time of death, a cremation permit from the county medical examiner or justice of the peace, and filing of the death certificate. Our team ensures every document is completed, filed, and processed correctly. We’ll also assist with obtaining death certificates, social security notifications, and veteran benefits if applicable.
Choosing the Right Urn or Keepsake
Urns come in a wide variety of styles, sizes, and materials. Whether you’re looking for something classic and elegant, eco-friendly and biodegradable, or artistic and custom-made, we have many options available. We also offer keepsake urns, which are smaller containers that allow several family members to each keep a portion of the ashes.
Also offered are jewelry keepsakes, such as lockets, rings, or pendants containing a tiny amount of ashes or a fingerprint engraving. Additionally, we offer scattering tubes, designed for ease of use during scattering ceremonies. We’ll help you choose something that reflects the personality and wishes of your loved one.
How We Support Grieving Families Through the Process
Cremation is a technical process, but grief is a deeply human experience. At Lewis Funeral Home, we never lose sight of that. We’re not just here to provide a service, we’re here to provide comfort. From your first call to long after the ashes are returned, we walk with you.
We offer grief resources, support groups, one-on-one counseling referrals, and follow-up care. We also host annual remembrance events to honor loved ones from the past year. You’re never alone in this journey, and we’re honored to support you every step of the way.
Our Commitment to the San Antonio Community
As a locally owned funeral home, serving San Antonio isn’t just our job, it’s our calling. We live here, worship here, and raise our families here. We’re part of the fabric of this community, and every family we serve is treated as one of our own.
When you choose Lewis Funeral Home, you’re not choosing a corporate chain, you’re choosing neighbors who genuinely care. Our decades of experience mean we’ve seen the full range of needs, traditions, and personal stories. We bring that depth of knowledge to every cremation service we arrange.
Contact Us Today
Cremation isn’t just about disposition, it’s about remembrance. It’s about love and creating a space, whether in a chapel, a backyard, or a mountaintop, where stories are shared and healing begins. At Lewis Funeral Home, we believe every life is worth celebrating. And whether you choose cremation or burial, simple or elaborate, faith-based or secular, we’re here to make sure it’s done with honor, care, and compassion.
