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What is cremation? How does it actually work?
Tukios Websites • May 7, 2024
What is cremation exactly?
Cremation is a method of final disposition that involves reducing the body of the deceased to bone fragments through high heat and flame in a specially designed furnace called a cremator. Here's a step-by-step explanation of the process:
- Preparation: Before the cremation, all personal items are removed from the body. Medical devices and prosthetics that could be hazardous at high temperatures are also taken out. The body is then placed in a combustible, rigid container that is appropriate for the cremation process.
- Cremation Chamber: The container with the body is moved into the cremation chamber. This chamber is preheated to a set temperature, typically between 1400 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit (760 to 982 degrees Celsius).
- Cremation Process: Once the chamber reaches the required temperature, the container and the body are subjected to intense heat. The heat rapidly breaks down the body, leaving only bone fragments and ashes. This part of the process usually takes about 2 to 3 hours depending on the body's size and weight.
- Cooling and Processing: After the cremation, the remains are allowed to cool. The remains at this stage consist primarily of bone fragments. These are then processed into a finer consistency using a machine called a cremulator, resulting in what is commonly referred to as "ashes."
- Handling the Ashes: The ashes are then placed in a temporary container or an urn chosen by the family. The family can then decide to keep the ashes, scatter them, or place them in a columbarium or other memorial site.
Throughout the process, careful protocols are followed to ensure the identity of the deceased is maintained from start to finish, ensuring the ashes returned to the family are indeed those of their loved one.
Online resources include discussion forums, educational tools, and a community for people who are dealing with grief. You may find one or more of the following websites to be helpful:
VA takes special care to pay lasting tribute to the memory of Veterans who served and sacrificed and that of their families. VA meticulously maintains 155 VA national cemeteries in 44 states and Puerto Rico and is working to increase access to accommodate Veterans and eligible family members close to home. Currently, more than 94 percent of Veterans have a burial option in an open VA, state or tribal veterans cemetery located within 75 miles of their home.
In recent years, cremation has become an increasingly popular choice for end-of-life arrangements. With its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and environmental considerations, it's no surprise that many families are choosing cremation. But beyond the decision to choose cremation, there's another important consideration—pre-planning
Direct cremation is a simplified option where the deceased is cremated shortly after death, without a formal ceremony or viewing. It tends to be more cost-effective and efficient, allowing families to focus on memorialization at their own pace. On the other hand, a cremation ceremony with family present provides an opportunity for loved ones to gather, honor the life of the deceased, and find closure through shared rituals and support.
Aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation. While cremation uses intense heat to reduce the body to ashes, aquamation utilizes a combination of water, alkaline chemicals, and heat to accelerate the natural process of decomposition.
There are many unique cremation options offered to families to honor their loved ones in deeply personal and innovative ways. Cremation jewelry, crafted from the ashes of the deceased, serves as a wearable keepsake, allowing loved ones to carry a tangible connection wherever they go.