Ernst and Elaine Schuster said opening a crematorium is a dream of their’s that took almost a quarter of a century to build.
The couple offer economical and dignified cremation services, so people won’t have to go through the hassle of sending a loved one’s remains off island for cremation.
Elaine said it’s been a complex journey of designing, locating, calibrating and getting permitting for the equipment necessary for cremation. The new facility is the first locally owned crematorium in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
It also is the first in the Caribbean with state-of-the-art equipment. The husband and wife team, who worked at James Memorial Funeral Home for many years, knew there was a need for a crematorium on St. Croix.
“It’s been a long complex journey,” Elaine Schuster said. “We’re here ready to offer services that were needed.”
Cremation is the process during which the deceased is placed in an alternative container or casket and into a chamber where they are subjected to an optimum temperature of 1,600 degrees for about two hours. In direct cremation, remains are usually available for the family within two days.
Elaine recommends that people make their wishes about cremation known in their wills.
The family can choose a variety of options to honor and remember their loved ones. The viewing window of the cremation room is open and people can see the body go into the chamber. The remains may or may not be embalmed or be made up, depending on the wishes of the deceased and bereaved.
The viewing room is cozy, with large over stuffed brown leather sofas, throw pillows and floral arrangements. There are liquid refreshments for the bereaved.
Services such as memorial services, gatherings and more traditional funerals are available for a fee .
There is an arrangement and counseling area and a showroom stocked with beautiful urns of all sizes, plus boxes for the scattering of ashes and keepsake jewelry.
The friendly and caring couple is fully trained, certified, and members of the Cremation Association of North America and they adhere to a code of ethics.
The crematorium, which opened in May, is at 139 Castle Coakley, on Hess Road across the street from the old Tropical Plumbing warehouse. They are open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday by appointment.
People can call 1-340-692-8767 for more detailed explanation on cremation and pricing.
