Cremation Process

Cremation probably started as early as three thousand BC, mostly in Europe and the Near East. Decorative urns were used and are still used today. The modern cremation process as we know it today started about a century ago after many years of experimentation with the development of a dependable chamber. Once this was perfected, the movement became popular on both sides of the Atlantic.

Cremation is a process that prepares the remains of a human body for its final disposition. It can reduce a body down to three – seven pounds. Nothing is left but bone fragments and other inorganic and organic compounds. Once this is done, the body is returned to the natural elements by exposing the remains to the intense heat along with evaporation, mechanical and dehydration processing.

The cremation process first starts with the cremation chamber sometimes called a ‘retort’. The chamber itself is called a crematory or crematorium. It may house more than one chamber. It is just big enough for one person and looks like the inside of a pizza oven. The temperatures can reach up to two thousand degrees Fahrenheit or one thousand and ninety three Celsius. It is lined with high density, heavy duty fiber brick designed to withstand high heat.

After the arrangements with the family of the deceased, knowing they wanted to be cremated, all the papers have been signed, the body will be put into a casket or in another container. Then it will be placed into the cremation chamber. Crematories will go to great lengths to make sure the identification of the remains of the loved one is taken care of.

This is done by first placing a small numbered metal disk or ceramic disk on the floor of the chamber prior to cremation. This disk stays with the remains throughout the entire length of cremation process. Once it is competed, the bones are placed in a temporary container, one that the family has chosen. Do not be shocked if the ashes of a loved one are to be scattered to the wind that you find this disk. A label with the name and a special number is placed on the cremation chamber as well as using the disk.

This unique number is on the disk as well as the label; it is placed on the temporary storage container and is also put on the cremation certificate. The cremation process is closely monitored being sure nothing goes wrong. The cremation process takes about one to three hours to complete. The time varies with the temperature of the chamber, the materials used to hold the remains and the actual weight of the body before the cremation process starts.

Once the cremation process is done, the remains will be hot, so there are a few hours of cooling down time. Anything that is not of the body, such as gold crowns, jewelry will be removed and will be placed on top of the urn after the cremation is done and given to the family. It is advised not to have anything on the body such as jewelry, as it could get lost or stolen. Then a strong magnet will be passed over the remains to find any thing that should not be there. The cremation process is not accepted in many cultures and has been argued with Christians and non Christians for years.