The colour hue is a result of the temperature of the cremation chamber. During cremation, the body is exposed to temperatures ranging from 760 to over 980 degrees Celsius or 1,400 to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Bones need to reach a temperature higher than 800 degrees Celsius (1,472 F) to produce lighter-coloured ashes.
The bones become brittle and easy to grind down into “ashes” once the chemical bonds within them are weakened. Most importantly, phosphorous and calcium change color, from light to dark, and back to light, based on temperature. This process is explained more in detail below.
The actual ashes are thus useless as they will not contain DNA. It is the bones and teeth that could potentially hold some DNA viable for analysis. However, after the cremation, the bones and teeth left behind are turned into a find powder (a process known as pulverization).
The colour of ashes can vary
Ashes are between grey or grey-brown in colour. They are usually mid-to-light grey, but it's normal for them to be darker grey, or to have a brown tinge. The colour of a person's skin doesn't affect the colour of the ashes.
The bone and ash color simply have to do with the temperature of the cremator and the compounds in the bones. That being said, if you'd like to honor your loved one through their ashes, take a look at our blog on special ideas for scattering ashes.
Ashes have no expiry date
There's no rush on moving or transferring them. You can keep them in the container from the crematorium for as long as you need. You might keep them in your home forever, or you might decide to scatter or bury them at a later date.
Cremated remains take up very little space, can be stored or buried in a biodegradable urn, and will not harm the environment. However, cremation burns a tremendous amount of fossil fuel, and it can release chemicals into the atmosphere.
During cremation, the chamber reaches up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. The softer parts of the teeth (like the pulp) disappear. However, the tougher parts of the teeth including the enamel are likely to survive cremation. They are one of the few things left behind after the process is complete.
Are Cremation Ashes Heavy? A box of adult human ashes can be surprisingly heavy. If you are still expecting the remains to be like that of a campfire, the weight might be unexpected. Human cremation ashes include crushed bone, which makes them denser than ash from wood and therefore heavier.
Once you burn off all the water, soft tissues, and cremation container/casket, etc., all that's left is bone. The bone is ground up and given to you as “ashes.”
Is there energy in cremation ashes? The truth is, there is an essence of your loved one that lingers with the cremation ashes. While it may not be a consciousness, it is a little of their energy that stays behind, almost like someone's perfume that lingers in the air even after they have left the room.
Human ashes are like sand and they do not float. They will not dissolve in the water; instead, they will descend into the ocean until they hit the floor. Can we have a service or a mariner's farewell ceremony before we scatter ashes?
Any gases are released through an exhaust system, so there is rarely any smell associated with the cremation process. It is sometimes necessary for the body to be repositioned during this process in order to ensure a complete cremation.
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.
If you are concerned that the ashes will smell after the cremation, the answer is no. There is no odor emitted from ashes that have been properly cremated. Even over time, you shouldn't expect any particular smells to develop. If anything, certain cremation containers will simply emit a slight incense-like smell.
Cremation occurs at such a hot temperature all micro-organisms are destroyed, and the remaining ashes are inert. After cremation there are no public health risks associated with handling ashes.
In Old Testament times people used ashes as a sign of repentance. They would sit in ashes, roll around in them, sprinkle them upon their heads, or even mingle them with their food and drink. They did this as an outward sign of their inward posture of repentance.
Organ tissue, fat, and fluids burn away during cremation, leaving only bone behind when the incineration's completed. In general, the taller the person, the more bone or “ash” is left. Men generally produce more ash than women do because their bones are denser.
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 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.
The process takes anywhere between three to four hours depending on the power of the retort and the mass of the body inserted.
The average cremated adult will produce about five pounds of pulverized bone fragments, a coarse powder that is sterile and safe to touch, even if the person died of a communicable disease.
Are Human Ashes Bad for the Ocean? Human ashes do not dissolve in the ocean's waters. However, being a coarse, gritty, sand-like substance, the ashes will scatter throughout the ocean with no negative effects. The EPA allows for cremated remains to be spread in the sea.
Contrary to what you may think, human ashes are actually not toxic and are considered a sanitary, natural substance. Therefore, there is no harm in touching them. Of course, if you accidentally inhale ashes, you may experience some respiratory irritation, but this occurrence is not common if you handle ashes properly.