What
happens during the cremation
process?
The
casket
or container is placed in the cremation chamber, where
the temperature is raised to approximately 1600 degrees
to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
After
approximately, 2 to 2 1/2 hours, all organic matter is
consumed by heat or evaporation. The residue which is
left is bone fragments, known as cremated remains.
The
cremated
remains are then carefully removed from the cremation
chamber. Any metal is removed with a magnet and later
disposed of in cemetery grounds.
The
cremated
remains are then processed into fine particles and
are placed in the container provided by the crematorium
or placed in an cremation
urn purchased by the family.
The
entire process takes approximately three hours. Throughout
the cremation process, a carefully controlled labelling
system ensures correct identification.
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How
hot does the oven get?
Although
there are several manufacturers of cremation units, the
optimum temperature range is 1600 degrees to 1800 degrees
Fahrenheit.
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How
long does it take to cremate a body?
Cremating
at the optimum temperature (1600 - 1800 degrees), the
average weighted remains takes 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Several
more hours may be required before the cremated
remains are available to the family.
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Are
cremations done individually?
Yes.
Laws require that only one casket
or container is cremated at a time.
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Is
the body exposed to an open flame during the cremation
process?
Yes,
the body is exposed to direct heat and flame. Cremation
is performed by placing the deceased in a casket
or other container and then placing the casket
or container into a cremation chamber or retort, where
they are subjected to intense heat and flame.
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When
after death can a cremation take place?
Because
cremation is an irreversible process and because the process
itself will eliminate any ability to determine exact cause
of death, many states require that each cremation be authorized
by the coroner or medical examiner.
Some
states have specific minimum time limits that must elapse
before cremation may take place. Your local funeral service
provider can advise you of applicable regulations, if
any.
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Is
any other preparation required prior to cremation?
It
is essential that pacemakers and other medical devices
be removed prior to cremation. They may explode when subjected
to high temperature, which can be hazardous to crematorium
staff and equipment.
In
addition, any special mementos, such as jewelry, will
be destroyed during the cremation process. Anything you
wish to keep should be removed by the funeral director
before the casket or container is transferred to the crematorium.
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Is
it true that the bones are crushed after cremation?
I've heard you don't get ashes back -- what do you get?
A
complete cremation is a two-step process. Firstly, the
actual exposure of the deceased to several hours of intense
heat and flame; after which the remains are mostly ash
except for certain bone fragments, then the entire remaining
ash and fragment volume is gathered and run through a
processor, creating a uniform powder-like texture.
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Why
is refrigeration of the remains necessary?
Due
to the irreversible nature of cremation, most states require
a waiting period before the actual process may begin.
Refrigeration is the only alternative available, other
than embalming, that will retard tissue decomposition.
Refrigeration
is a necessity that protects family and friends, the crematory
operator and the general public from potential health
hazards.
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Is
embalming necessary for cremation?
No.
It is your choice. It may depend on such factors as whether
the family selected a service with a public viewing of
the body with an open
casket, or to enhance the deceased's appearance for
a private family viewing; if the body is going to be transported
by air or rail, or because of the length of time prior
to the cremation.
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Is
a casket required?
No.
For sanitary reasons, ease of placement and dignity, many
cremations require that the deceased be cremated in a
combustible, leak proof, rigid, covered container. This
does not need to be a casket
as such.
What
is required is an enclosed, rigid, container made of wood
or other combustible material to allow for the dignified
handling of human remains.
The
type of casket
or container selected is really a personal decision, Caskets
and containers are available in a wide variety of materials
ranging from simple cardboard containers to beautifully
handcrafted oak, maple or
mahogany caskets.
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Are
there special cremation caskets?
There
is a choice of very affordable cremation
caskets that are completely combustible. The selection
includes options from a plain cardboard container to a
hardwood
casket.
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Can
a casket be rented instead of purchased when choosing
cremation?
Many
funeral homes offer a hardwood ceremonial
casket for viewing or funeral services prior to cremation.
The ceremonial (or rental) casket
is specifically designed to provide a very aesthetically
pleasing, affordable and environmentally prudent alternative
to purchasing a casket
for a cremation service.
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Can
I bring my own urn?
Yes
— It would be advisable that you discuss this situation
with your cremation provider prior to the cremation. The
size of your urn will be of great importance if you plan
to have your loved one's entire cremated body included
in this container.
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Can
I watch the cremation?
Arrangements
can usually be made through the Cremation Authorization
Form for relatives or representatives of the deceased
to witness the cremation.
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Do
all funeral homes and cemeteries have a crematory?
No
- actually only a small percentage of cremation service
providers have their own cremation units.
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Is
cremation a substitution for a funeral?
No,
cremation is simply a method of preparing human remains
for final disposition.
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Do
I have to make different funeral arrangements if I chose
cremation?
It
really depends entirely on how you wish to commemorate
a life. One of the advantages of cremation is that it
provides you with increased flexibility when you make
your funeral and cemetery arrangements.
You
might, for example, choose to have a funeral service before
the cremation; a memorial service at the time of cremation
or after the cremation with the urn present; or a committal
service at the final disposition of cremated remains.
Funeral
or memorial services can be held in a place of worship,
a funeral home or in a crematorium chapel.
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Can
we have the service before or after the cremation?
It's
completely a matter of family preference. Many times when
a family is split regarding the decision to cremate, a
compromise may be achieved by having a traditional service
first - to be followed by cremation.
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What
can be done with the cremated remains?
With
cremation, your options are numerous. The cremains can
be interred in a cemetery plot, i.e., earth burial, retained
by a family member, usually in an urn, scattered on private
property, or at a place that was significant to the deceased.
(It
would always be advisable to check for local regulations
regarding scattering in a public place.) Cremation is
just one step in the commemorative process-- the preparation
of the human remains for memorialization.
Today,
there are many different types of memorial options from
which to choose. Memorialization is a time-honored tradition
that has been practiced for centuries. A memorial serves
as a tribute to a life lived and provides a focal point
for remembrance, as well as a record for future generations.
The
type of memorial you choose is a personal decision. The
limit is set only by your imagination.
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Can
I scatter the remains on private property?
Yes,
with permission of the owner.
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What
is memorialization for a cremation?
You
might choose ground burial of the urn. If so, you may
usually choose either a bronze
memorial or monument. Also available at many cemeteries
are cremation niches in columbariums.
They
offer the beauty of
a mausoleum setting with the benefits of above ground
placement of remains.
Many cemeteries also offer scattering gardens.
This
area of a cemetery
offers the peacefulness of a serene garden where family
and friends
can come and reflect.
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What
is a columbarium?
A
columbarium, often located within a mausoleum or chapel,
sometimes free-standing, either indoor or outdoor, is
constructed of numerous small compartments
(niches) designed to hold urns containing cremated
remains.
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If
I'm going to be cremated, why would I want my remains
to be placed in a columbarium, or interred or scattered
at the cemetery? Why shouldn't I just have them scattered
in the sea or in some other place of my choosing?
As
long as it is permitted by local regulations, your cremated
remains can be scattered in a place that is meaningful
to you. This can, however, present difficulties for your
survivors.
Some
people may find it hard to simply pour the mortal remains
of a loved one out onto the ground or into the sea. If
you wish to be scattered somewhere, it is therefore important
to discuss your wishes ahead of time with the person or
persons who will actually have to do the scattering.
Another
difficulty with scattering can occur when the remains
are disposed of in an anonymous, unmarked or public place.
Access to the area may be restricted for some reason in
the future, undeveloped land may be developed, or any
of a host of other conditions may arise that could make
it difficult for your survivors to visit the site to remember
you.
Even
if your cremated remains are scattered in your backyard,
what happens if your survivors relocate sometime in the
future? Once scattered, cremated remains cannot easily
be collected back up.
Having
your remains placed, interred or scattered on a cemetery's
grounds ensures that future generations will have a place
to go to remember.
If
remains are scattered somewhere outside the cemetery,
many cemeteries will allow you to place a memorial of
some type on the cemetery grounds, so survivors have a
place to visit that will always be maintained and preserved.
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Why
is having a place to visit so important?
Because
it provides a focal point for memorializing the deceased.
To remember, and be remembered, are natural human needs.
Throughout
human history, memorialization of the dead has been a
key component of almost every culture. The Washington
Monument, Tomb of the Unknowns and Vietnam "Wall"
in Washington, D.C are examples of memorialization which
demonstrate that, throughout our history, we have always
honored our dead.
Psychologists
say that remembrance practices, from the funeral or memorial
service to permanent memorialization, serve an important
emotional function for survivors by helping to bring closure
and allowing the healing process to begin.
Providing
a permanent resting place for the deceased is a dignified
treatment for a loved one's mortal remains, which fulfills
the natural human desire for memorialization.
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If
I am cremated, can I be buried with my spouse even if
he or she was in a casket?
Yes
— Depending upon the cemetery's policy, you may be able
to save a grave space by having the cremains buried on
top of your casketed
spouse, or utilize the space provided next to him/her.
Many
cemeteries allow for multiple cremains to be interred
in a single grave space.
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Can
I take the cremated remains home?
Yes.
The remains are normally placed in an cremation
urn. Most families select an urn that is suitable
for placement on a mantle or shelf. Urns are available
in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials.
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How
big of a price difference is there with cremation compared
to standard ground burial?
The
cost depends on the type of permanent memorial, location
of the memorial, urn and placement selected.
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Do
all religions permit cremation?
Some
religions prefer cremation; some do not recommend the
practice; most permit you to choose. Should you have any
questions or concerns, we suggest you speak with a member
of your clergy, or contact us your local prearrangement
provider.
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Misspelled cremation words:
(rcemation,
cermation, crmeation, creamtion, cremtaion, cremaiton, crematoin,
crematino, vremation, crimation, cremotion, cremateon, crematian,
rvemation, rcimation, rcemotion, rcemateon, rcematian, vermation,
cirmation, cermotion, cermateon, cermatian, vrmeation, crmiation,
crmeotion, crmeateon, crmeatian, vreamtion, criamtion, creomtion,
creamteon, creamtian, vremtaion, crimtaion, cremtoion, cremtaeon,
cremtaian, vremaiton, crimaiton, cremoiton, cremaeton, cremaitan,
vrematoin, crimatoin, cremotoin, crematain, crematoen, vrematino,
crimatino, cremotino)
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