Cremation is becoming increasingly popular among people who choose cremation after death. But, what exactly is cremation, and how does it work? What are the advantages of being cremated instead of buried?
Cremation is the transformation of a person’s remains into ashes using heat. A single deceased person is placed in a cremation chamber that has been built specifically for one purpose: to expose them to extreme heat for around two hours.
We’ll explore everything you need to know about cremation, from the basics of how it works to the benefits of choosing this option. We hope you find this information helpful as you consider your final arrangements.
Do You Have Clothes on When You are Cremated?
A body may be cremated in or out of its clothing. If there was a funeral (with the corpse) and no burial, the deceased would usually be cremated in whatever clothing they were wearing. The body is cremated inside a chamber heated to extreme temperatures and burned.
The process of preparing for viewing and/or cremation is generally included with a traditional funeral service at a funeral home. Many funeral homes provide family members the option of having their loved ones dressed at the funeral home by skilled employees. Clothing is frequently chosen and donated by the family. For purchase, some funeral homes also sell funerary attire.
Viewings and dressing services are not available with non-viewing or no-dressing cremation services. In many instances, the corpse is cremated in a sheet or in their clothing when they enter the crematorium.
Do Bodies Sit Up During Cremation?
Something called the pugilistic posture might occur when bodies heat up during cremation. Extreme heat and burning can cause this posture to be adopted. For example, the body may be “gaping open” with the arms and legs extended.
Boxer poses are frequent in heated environments. Muscles may contract, and tissues can shrink, resulting in a boxer-like posture. Cremated animals are sometimes afflicted with this condition. The cremation process usually takes two to four hours. After that, the temperature gradually increases to avoid thermal shock. Thermal shocks can cause bodies to shatter, bones to break, and organs to burst.
Bones are the last thing to be cremated because they take the longest to burn. They generally take about an hour to cremate. After the bones have burned, their remains are gathered and placed in an urn.
Does a Body Get Drained Before Cremation?
A body does not lose fluids before cremation. The bodily fluids are exchanged (drained and then replaced) with chemicals during the embalming procedure before cremation. Liquid chemicals may also be found in coffins. However, whether or not they have undergone embalming, the body is not empty before being cremated. Gases and fluids escape from the body during cremation. The crematorium operator tries to expel as many as possible to avoid environmental pollution.
The crematorium operator does not have a specific routine for draining bodies before cremation. However, if there is significant fluid leakage from the body, the crematorium staff will take appropriate precautions. For example, they may place absorbent pads under the body to soak up any fluids that escape. In some cases, a crematorium might refuse to cremate a body if it is overly fluid-filled.
What crematoriums do is have a cremation chamber. The crematorium is where you incinerate the body. Then the cremation chamber is the oven-like structure where you put the coffin and incinerate the body.
The cremation process starts with placing the body on a tray to allow any fluids to drop below the body. Next, the deceased are lowered into the cremation chamber, where they are subjected to extreme heat and flames. Gases and fluids escape from the body during cremation. The crematorium operator tries to expel as many of these as possible to avoid environmental pollution.
After the body is incinerated, the ashes are collected. They may be returned to the family or buried in a cemetery. Crematoriums have different ways of disposing of the ashes. Before making arrangements, it is important to ask about the specific crematorium policy. Some crematoriums will scatter the ashes in a designated area. In contrast, others will place them in an urn or other container and return them to the family.
What is the Temp for Cremation?
The cremation process typically reaches a temperature of 1,700 to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. The conversion of a solid to a gas is known as cremation. The body, which has between 65% and 85% water by weight, is heated to a temperature high enough to enable combustion.
The cremation process consists of two distinct phases: the primary combustion of the deceased in the main chamber of the cremator and subsequent secondary combustion. The gases from the body and organs and fat and casket or other container materials are vented to a secondary chamber where they continue to combust. The primary chamber holds the bone fragments. The secondary chamber’s floor is covered with inorganic particles, generally from the cremation container. The combustion products, such as carbon dioxide, water, and oxygen, are released through a stack on the roof of the crematory structure.
How are Bodies Prepared for Cremation?
The process usually begins with the body being washed, cleaned, and clothed. There will be no embalming unless you have a public viewing or request it. Then the expert removes pieces of jewelry or other objects you wish to keep. Batteries, mechanical medical devices, and prosthetics with batteries are all taken out of the body before cremation to prevent negative responses during the burning process. Any implants, screws, and joints remain in place. Medical device recycling varies by location, but under no circumstances is the technology re-used as-is.
Can You Touch Cremated Ashes?
Because ashes can so readily adhere to your skin, it’s important to avoid contact with them as much as possible. It’s helpful to wear gloves and use a spoon to scoop the ashes out of the bucket if you need to put them in a scattering tube or urn. You may also consider wearing a dust mask to avoid breathing in the cremated remains. If some ashes get on your skin, gently wash them off with warm water and soap. It is always safe to wash cremated ashes off your skin, no matter the cremation process used.
Why are Ashes Heavy?
Bones are composed of a variety of acids, minerals, and salts, which makes them heavier than many individuals anticipate. The amount of ash in the container will vary considerably depending on the deceased person. Men and young people have the most sturdy bones. Osteoporosis, which affects millions of women worldwide, is a disease that causes bones to be less robust. Consequently, cremated remains of an elderly woman will often be less dense than those of a young man. On average, human ashes weigh between 4 and 9 pounds. That’s about the same weight as a 3-liter water bottle.
When cremated, the body is reduced to its basic elements: bone, flesh, and blood. Some crematoriums place the ashes in an urn after they have cooled. Others may scatter them in a special location, such as a cemetery or memorial garden. If you choose to bury cremated remains, most cemeteries allow it as long as there is no container made of metal (since metal does not decompose). The burial vault and liner must also contain non-conductive materials like plastic or fiberglass.
