Understanding Cremation

Before the cremation, the deceased’s body is properly identified and prepared. Medical devices, such as pacemakers, are removed as they can pose a risk during the cremation process. The body is placed in a wood casket or an alternative container. An alternative container is a plain box, typically made of cardboard and wood, and suitable for burning. Many rental caskets have removable linings that double as an alternative container. The casket or alternative container is placed in a cremation chamber, also known as a retort. The chamber is heated to temperatures ranging from 1,400 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, using either gas or propane. Cremation Process: The intense heat in the chamber causes the body to undergo a process known as pyrolysis, during which the body is reduced to bone fragments Collection and Processing: After the cremation, the remaining bone fragments are carefully collected and processed. Any non-combustible materials, such as metal implants or dental work, are separated and removed. ,The bone fragments are then further processed into fine ashes, known as cremated remains or cremains. Finalizing and Returning the Cremated Remains: The cremated remains are placed in a temporary container, and then returned, most often to the funeral home. There, they will be moved to the urn or memorial merchandise selected by the family, or returned to the family. The family will need to decide whether to bury or scatter the ashes, and when. Choosing to bring a loved one’s cremains home is not a permanent disposition- at some point a decision will need to be made about what to do with them for perpetuity.