One method to dispose of the body of a departed loved one is through cremation. In this process, you will not see a casket instead of the ash of the dead body will be placed inside an urn. If you want to be cremated when you die, then it is best that you should open up this topic to your family. Besides, everyone will face death so it is just natural to talk about this matter. In fact, this can be an advantage because it can lessen the worries of your family on what kind of funeral you want.
Steps in the Cremation Process
You might be wondering how a body is cremated after death. Even if cremation had been practiced by people before, it is still a mystery. Industrial furnaces are now used by crematories that normally takes 2 to 3 hours in completing the cremation process. Crematories see to it that the departed is identified and the operation is safe. Even if they are dealing with dead bodies, they can still assure of giving the departed the right treatment and respect. Some crematories allow the family to witness how the body is cremated. Yet, before you choose a crematory, you still need to check if they have enough space to accommodate you.
In the cremation process, the following steps should be followed.
- It is important that before the body will be cremated, the deceased is identified. Proper authorization is also needed.
- The dead body should be prepared and put inside a container.
- The container will be transferred to the cremation chamber.
- Remaining metals are removed after the cremation process and the remains will be ground.
- The ashes will be placed in an urn given by the family of the deceased or in a temporary urn.
What Happens During the Cremation Process?
In cremation, the dead body will be exposed to flame and intense heat and turn it to ashes. It is placed inside a cremation chamber that you can find in crematories. The dead body should be in an appropriate container such as a casket designed for cremation. It is required that the container is made up of a durable material and combustible like a cardboard box.
Before cremating the body, it will be cleaned, bathed, and dressed by the crematories. It is also essential to remove any piece of jewelry, prosthetics and medical devices to avoid reaction throughout the process. Bits of bones are usually left behind after the cremation that will be placed inside a special processor.
When Can You Cremate a Dead Body?
It is important for you to know when you can cremate the body because the process is irreversible. You have to be very careful when acquiring the authorization from the family of the deceased to cremate the body and you also need to deal with the medical examiner. It usually takes 48 to 72 hours before you can start the cremation while the body is secured and placed in a refrigerated area. The cremation process will be completed for 2 ½ hours that will depend on the size of the body and type of the cremator. You have to let the remains cool down before placing it in an urn.
Do You Need to Embalmed the Body for Cremation
You might be wondering if you still need to embalm the body before the cremation just like the traditional way that people do with the body of the departed. However, in cremation, there is no need to embalm the body. On the other hand, for those who still want to have time to let their relatives and friends view the body, then they can ask a funeral home to embalm the body.
Types of Cremation Services?
If you have thought of cremating a body of a loved one, then it is necessary that you are aware of the different types of cremation services. These include the traditional funeral, memorial service, and direct cremation.
In a traditional funeral service, families, friends, and relatives are given the time to view the body of their departed loved one before the cremation. Though this is considered to be the best option, the cost of the service is high compared to other cremation services. It is because you will still need to embalm the body before allowing it to be cremated.
When it comes to memorial services, the body has already been cremated. This is ideal if you need to transport the body of the deceased because you will only bring with you the urn. Memorial service is often held in a church, at home, or any place that the family of the deceased preferred.
If you want the cheapest cremation service, then you can go for direct cremation. There is no need to embalm the body instead they will cremate it right away. Sometimes, it can be requested by the deceased before he dies.
Cremation services are now getting popular because it somehow lessens the stress that the family of the departed will have to experience. It can be a good idea for you to be prepared facing death and somehow talk about how you would want your body to be disposed of. This can also help your family avoid spending much on a funeral service. Besides, there is no need for you to make the funeral excessive because what matters is that you can have a decent funeral.