The following are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about cremation. Please be aware that laws and procedures will vary from state to state and from provider to provider.
What is Cremation?
Are there any religions that do not approve of cremation?
Does cremation contribute to atmospheric pollution?
How can one be certain that all remains are kept separate, and receive the correct remains?
Is a casket required for a cremation to take place?
Is it required for an embalming to take place prior to cremation?
Can a cremation be witnessed by the family?
What options are available with the cremated remains?
Do most funeral homes have a crematory onsite?
What usually happens after the cremation is finished?
Can more than one cremation be performed at once?
What do cremated remains look like?
Are all cremated remains returned to the family?
Are urns required to collect the cremated remains?
What is Cremation?
Cremation is the process by which a body is exposed to extreme heat, usually 1800 - 2000 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more. Through this process the body is reduced to its basic elements, which are referred to as the "cremated body" or "cremated remains". Cremation occurs at a crematorium in a special kind of furnace called a cremation chamber or retort. It may surprise many to learn that ashes are not the final result since cremated remains have neither the appearance nor the chemical properties of ashes. They are, in fact, bone fragments. These fragments are further reduced in size through a mechanical process. After preparation, these elements are placed in a temporary container that is suitable for transport. Depending upon the size of the body, there are nomally three to nine pounds of fragments resulting.
Are there any religions that do not approve of cremation?
Orthodox Judaism and Islam forbid cremation. Today, all of the Christian denominations allow cremation. All other main religions are happy for their members to choose to be cremated. (The Catholic Church accepts cremation as long as it is not chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teachings.)
Does cremation contribute to atmospheric pollution?
The 1990 Environmental Protection Act placed certain responsibilities on crematoria to ensure that the process is carefully controlled to minimize the impact on the environment.
How can one be certain that all remains are kept separate, and receive the correct remains?
All responsible cremation providers have thorough operating policies and procedures in order to provide the highest level of service and reduce the possibility of human error. If you have questions, ask the cremation providers what procedures they use.
Is a casket required for a cremation to take place?
A casket is not required for a cremation to take place. All that is required is an alternative container in most states. The construction can be made of wood or cardboard, which is cremated with the body. In some states, no container is required.
Is it required for an embalming to take place prior to cremation?
This is completely untrue. Actually it is against the law for a funeral home to tell you it is required.
Can a cremation be witnessed by the family?
Yes, in most situations, the cremation providers will permit family members to be in attendances when the body is placed into the cremation chamber. Actually, a few religious groups include this as part of their funeral practice.
What options are available with the cremated remains?
There are countless options and laws do vary from state to state. Some options include remains being buried in a cemetery lot or cremation garden, inurned in a columbarium, kept at home, or scattered into the sea.
Do most funeral homes have a crematory onsite?
Most funeral homes have to contract out this very vital process to third party providers whereas the funeral home has very small or no control over the crematory's operating procedures. Often, the family incurs additional transportation operating cost and unnecessary delays. Several of the cremation providers listed on cremation info manage and operate their own cremation facility.
What usually happens after the cremation is finished?
All organic bone fragments and all non-consumed metal items are placed into a stainless steel cooling pan located in the back of the cremation chamber. All non-consumed items, such as metal from clothing, hip joints, and bridgework, are divided from the cremated remains. This separation is accomplished through visual inspection as well as using a strong magnet for smaller and minute metallic objects. Items such as dental gold and silver are non-recoverable and are commingled in with the cremated remains. Remaining bone fragments are then processed in a machine to a consistent size and placed into a temporary or permanent urn, selected by the family.
Can more than one cremation be performed at once?
It is never done. Not only is it practical impossibility, but illegal to do so. The majority of modern cremation chambers are not of adequate size to house more than one adult.
What do cremated remains look like?
Cremated remains bear a resemblance to coarse sand and are pasty white in color. The remains of a normal size adult usually weigh between four to six pounds.
Are all cremated remains returned to the family?
With the exclusion of minuscule and microscopic particles, which are impossible to remove from the cremation chamber and processing machine, all of the cremated remains are returned to the family.
Are urns required to collect the cremated remains?
Law does not require an urn. Nevertheless, an urn may be desired if there is to be a memorial service or the remains are to be interred in a cemetery. If an urn is not purchased, or provided by the family, the cremated remains are usually returned in a temporary container.

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