It’s helpful to know all the facts if you’re writing down your intentions for after you die or preparing a funeral for a loved one. Are bodies removed from coffin before cremation and the contents of those coffins (including items left within by loved ones) throughout the process, is one area that might be confusing.
This article will teach you more about cremation so you can make educated decisions while planning a funeral or making arrangements for a loved one.
Are Bodies Removed From Coffin Before Cremation?
Coffins are built to be fully destroyed during the cremation process. A corpse requires a lot of heat to be cremated–so much heat, in fact, that there is usually little or no trace of the coffin in the ashes at the end. The ashes are, after all, bone bits. If you are concerned about what will happen to your loved one’s body before or during cremation, you may be invited into the committal chamber as a witness. You might also find our explanation to what happens during a cremation helpful in gaining an understanding of how the procedure works.
What Is The Process Of Cremation?
Cremation costs can range from $1,000 to $3,000 on the low end to $6,000 to $8,000 on the high end, depending on your region and the services provided. A conventional service before the funeral might drastically increase your costs, especially if there is a viewing or a casket is required.
Step 1. Identification Of The Dead
The laws governing identification differ from state to state. The particular techniques used by each facility are determined by industry norms. Identification usually requires a family member confirming the identity. A metal ID tag is placed on the body after confirmation. It will remain on the body throughout the process before being deposited with the remains for final verification.
Step 2. Approval Of The Procedure
To proceed with the cremation, the crematory must have formal approval. The person(s) making the final preparations must fill out paperwork authorizing the crematory to proceed. The application also requests information on the sort of container the crematory should use and who would be responsible for picking up the remains.
Step 3. Body Preparation
The individual institution can handle body preparation in its own way, but it usually entails cleansing and dressing. The body is not embalmed in a conventional cremation unless the beneficiaries request it for a public viewing or other personal purpose. Medical equipment and prosthesis that are mechanical or battery-operated are removed to avoid a reaction. Jewelry or other belongings are removed for the loved ones to keep, except those requested to stay with the body. Finally, the corpse is placed in a flammable vessel that is sturdy enough to support the weight.
Step 4. Entering The Cremation Chamber
The body is then cremated at temperatures exceeding as 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. A specially designed burner known as a cremation chamber or retort, leaving only ashes. The remains must be allowed to cool after the process before being handled.
Step 5. Resolving The Issues
Following cremation, the bones are examined for any metal residues. This could be the result of pins, screws, or joints that the deceased had surgically implanted during their lifetime. Metal is extracted by hand or using powerful magnets, and it is frequently recycled. Using a special processor, the cremated remains are reduced to their final form, ashes.
Step 6. Ashes Relocation
Unless otherwise specified, the remains are returned to the family in an urn (or other container).
How long does the procedure take?
The actual cremation method takes between 2-3 hours for flame-based processes and up to 16 hours for liquid cremation, depending on factors including the size and weight of the body, the type of container housing the body, and the effectiveness of the equipment deployed (see below).
Keep in mind that each crematorium has its own standards for how long it takes for the deceased to be available to the bereaved. It is not uncommon for a hospital to require seven to ten days, but the length of time depends on the hospital’s specific policies and procedures.
What Is a Crematorium or Cremation Chamber?
A retort, or cremation chamber, is an industrial furnace designed to accommodate one body. The chamber, which is lined with fire-resistant bricks, can endure temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees. Cremation furnaces today are controlled and mechanized, and they run on natural gas, propane, or diesel. They must adhere to current environmental and air quality regulations.
The phrase “crematorium” refers to a facility that houses a cremation chamber or retort. A crematorium may have numerous chambers. A cremation might be part of a funeral home, a church, or a separate establishment. The state normally regulates crematoriums.
Cremation Methods
Unlike traditional burial, usually does not require embalming, and huge burial grounds are not required. Cremation is also generally less expensive than a regular burial.
There are several cremation alternatives available.
1. Direct Cremation
Direct cremation occurs when the remains are transferred to a cremation center without first having a funeral service. This method of cremation is frequently the least expensive because it eliminates the need for a funeral service and the purchase of a casket.
2. Liquid Cremation
Alkaline hydrolysis is a non-flammable alternative to flame cremation. The reaction between the water, alkali, heat, and pressure speeds up decomposition, leaving only bone pieces and a sterile liquid behind.
3. Green Cremation
Alkaline hydrolysis is seen as a more environmentally friendly option to burial. The sterile solution can then be recycled through the wastewater treatment system after being drained of any leftover bone fragments.
Final Thoughts
In the United States, cremation has become just as frequent as “conventional” burial. Today, more than half of all Americans opt for cremation. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, this percentage will reach 78 percent by 2035.
The views on cremation are as varied as the religions themselves. For many years, Christianity was objected to cremation, but it has gained popularity in the last century. Even within Christianity, however, opinions varied greatly: the Eastern Orthodox Church expressly prohibits cremation, whereas the American Episcopal Church has columbaria (public displays of cremation urns) in many churches.
Similarly, while Orthodox Judaism opposes cremation, Reform Judaism has begun to accept it. Muslims are officially barred from having themselves incinerated or even participating in the cremation of another, although Hinduism appears to promote it.
