The Cremation Process

Although cremation has been around for thousands of years, there are still many misconceptions about the cremation process and how it works. For a better understanding of what a cremation entails, please browse below for more information.

A body is cremated through the use of heat to reduce it down to fragmented pieces of bone. Although fire is present, a common misconception is that it is used to burn the body. However, the flames never touch the body and the immense heat produced by the flames is used to reduce the remains.

 

The cremation process first begins by having the family authorize the crematory to cremate the deceased’s remains. This is accomplished by signing a legal document provided by the funeral home. After authorization has been granted, a family member must identify the remains for the process to begin.

 

The funeral director or crematory operator then removes jewelry and other items while preparing the body. Any medical devices the deceased might have had implanted like a pacemaker for instance, are also removed to avoid any potential hazards during the cremation.

 

The next step of the process is to place the body in a cremation container constructed from sturdy cardboard, wicker, or plywood. An identification tag is attached to the container to properly identify the remains of the deceased.

 

The actual process begins by preheatingC the cremation chamber and then placing the container inside of the chamber. Temperatures inside the change are anywhere from 1800 to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. After about 2 hours, the body is fully cremated.

 

The last and final step of the process is to pulverize the bones once the remains have cooled. The bones are compacted using a special machine that breaks them down until they are dense and sand-like ashes. A magnet is then used to remove any metal pieces that were not destroyed from the heat before the ashes are transferred to an urn or temporary container.

Sit down with us to discuss your cremation options. We appreciate the opportunity to share our insights and experience to fully support you in making end-of-life decisions for you and your family. Call us at (503) 623-3286 to schedule an appointment or drop by our office.