The Cremation Process

People often have many misconceptions about how cremation actually works. The cremation process is completed with a lot of care and is very technical in nature. We'll also take a look at cremation options that will help you with your decision.

A Short History of Cremation

All across the world, cremation has been a common way to handle a corpse for many centuries. Cremation started as far back as 20,000 years ago. There is evidence of cremation beginning in Europe roughly around 2,000 B.C. and many scholars believe the practice became quite popular around this time for Europeans.

Over time, the popularity of cremation began to wane. By the Middle Ages, cremation became a form of punishment and was not viewed as a compassionate way to care for the deceased. However, at the Vienna Exhibition of 1873, Professor Ludovico Brunetti revealed a furnace that he had invented specifically for cremation. Displayed with the furnace were about four pounds of cremated remains. Cremation reclaimed popularity by the late 1800’s and the first official crematory in the United States was constructed in 1876 in Washington, PA by Dr. Julius LeMoyne.

The Flame Cremation Process

Traditional cremation process involves reducing a body at very high temperatures until it is nothing but brittle, calcified bones. These are then processed into what we commonly call cremated remains. Returned to the family in a temporary urn (or a more personal urn selected by the family), these cremated remains can be kept, buried, or scattered. Some families even choose to place a loved one's cremated remains in a hand-crafted piece of cremation art.

First, the family or next of kin must authorize the body to be cremated. The crematorium operator prepares the body and removes any jewelry, medical devices (i.e. pacemakers), prostheses, and implants. The corpse is placed in a container made of wood or heavy cardboard. The container is then placed into the crematory chamber which is essentially a large furnace. The heat ignites the container and the body begins to dry out. The temperature in the chamber can rise to about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. It usually takes 2 to 3 hours to fully cremate a body. What’s left is a grey coarse material that feels like a fine gravel. On average, 3 to 9 pounds of ash is produced (Kim, 2018).

Cremation Costs

On average, cremation is generally 45-50% cheaper than burial. Cremation allows you to avoid the big purchases of items like a headstone and a casket. While it's true that cost is a big factor for many families, it's important to remember that cremation is only one part of providing meaningful end-of-life care for a loved one. Coming to terms with the death of a loved one is important and can be achieved with a memorial service. Bringing family and friends together provides everyone with the opportunity to share memories and receive support.

Spend Time with Us

Sit down with us to discuss your cremation options. We appreciate the opportunity to provide insights and experience to help you in making end-of-life decisions for you and your family. Call us to schedule an appointment or drop by our office.

Sources:

Cremation Association of North America. (2019). Western history of cremation. Retrieved from https://www.cremationassociation.org/page/HistoryOfCremation

Engler, J. (2019). A brief history of cremation. Retrieved from https://crematorymfgsrv.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203232225-A-Brief-History-of-Cremation

Kim, M. (2018). How cremation works. Retrieved from https://science.howstuffworks.com/cremation1.htm