The common misconception about cremation is that it is not possible to have a visitation, wake or more formal services. Visitations are not only allowed before a cremation; they are a popular and appropriate choice for many families.
Cremation viewing (or witnessing) is, more and more, considered not only acceptable but perhaps even a right for the close family of the decedent. However, there are no laws regarding the witnessing of cremation. So each facility will have their own rules and procedures regarding a cremation viewing.
One of the most misguided cremation myths is that the body is set on fire. The cremation process uses flames to create extreme heat in a specially designed furnace. During the cremation process, the furnace (also called a retort) reaches temperatures around 1800° F.
The committal is the moment in which you say your final goodbye to your loved one before they are buried or cremated. An officiant will lead the ceremony, and many committal services include poems, prayers, readings or music to create a more personal moment.
Is the coffin cremated with the body? Yes. The Federation Of Burial and Cremation Authorities (FBCA) Guiding Principles state that the container and the body shall be placed in cremator and cremation commenced.
Yes, the coffin is also cremated. A deceased person is not safely placed within a crematory unless a coffin is used.
During cremation, the body parts that do burn consist of organs, soft tissue, hair, and skin, while the water in our bodies evaporates. The body parts that do not burn are bone fragments.
The Regulation does not allow more than one body to be cremated in the same crematory retort at the same time to ensure that the ashes they receive are not a mixture of ashes from different people. It is for this reason that cremation authorities no longer attempt to separate wood ash from human ash.
Depending on location, the cremation process can take anywhere from 3-15 business days. Some states have laws requiring a waiting period before a cremation can even take place. The actual cremation can take about 3 hours, and processing the cremated remains takes another 1-2 hours.
A common question that we find in the cremation diamond industry is do ashes have an expiration date? The short answer is they don't; at least not in our lifetime. It would take around one million years for ashes to dissolve since they are made solely of inorganic material.
The Impacts Of Traditional Cremation
Cremation is a fossil fuel driven process with high carbon emissions. The two primary environmental issues are that the process involves high energy usage and contributes to air pollution.
Most cremation chambers will not mix the remains of your loved ones—they'll usually leave that up to the family to do. In those cases, crematories will return cremated remains in a temporary urn so you can transfer the remains into an urn of your choice.
The process usually takes between 1.5 and 3 hours. While in the cremation chamber, the container will burn down and the body begin to be dried by the extreme heat. The soft tissues, muscles, skin, and hair are burned and the bones are calcified until they break into small pieces.
A family member may be asked if they wish to push the button to begin the cremation process. This button will open the door to the retort, and the casket will be gently rolled inside. You may see the flames surrounding the casket – often, the flames react to the varnish outside the wooden casket.
Once the coffin is placed inside, the highly computerised cremator controls the whole process and continually monitors the emissions of each cremation. There is always a technician continually checking the whole process. The actual cremation itself takes on average 90 minutes.
Cremains contain what is known as rest energy, sometimes referred to as free or dormant energy. This type of energy is still subject to the restraints of natural law, and can have no physical or spiritual impact on those around it.
The Cremation Process
All handles, flowers and personal belongings remain with your loved one and are cremated as one. By using one coffin per body and identifying each person with a metal plate, we ensure that only one person is cremated at a time.
You may, if you wish, choose to have the curtains remain open. The impacting difference in closing the curtains or having them remain open is this; If the curtains close, the coffin is taken away from you, if the curtains remain open then it is you who must walk away from the coffin.
Can two people's ashes be mixed together? Yes. Mixing ashes is a common process known as “commingling.” Commingling means that the couple's cremated remains are mixed, or “mingled” together in an urn, most often a companion urn.
Do bodies sit up during cremation? Because of the cremation chamber's high heat, some bodies go into what's called a pugilistic stance, meaning the elbows, knees, and fists clench from dehydration due to the extreme heat.
This is done to ensure that the head of the deceased person burns well. So, when the head gets burnt, it is broken with a stick. Let us tell you that this process in the crematorium is termed the Kapaal Kriya.
The only parts of the body that are removed before cremation are artificial ones like a medical device or implant with a battery, silicone, pins, radiation pressurization, pacemakers, and large hip, knee, and shoulder replacements along with any external jewelry.