Here’s A Better Understanding Of The Full Cremation Process

Are you looking for a better understanding of the full cremation process? If so, you are not alone. In fact, a large number of people don’t understand how cremation actually works. That is why it’s important to know all the details of a cremation before making your decision. By knowing what to expect, you can make the best decisions for your loved one and your family.

Identification

Before cremation, your body is properly identified. This is essential to make sure your remains are not mixed with anyone else’s. Reputable crematories have strict procedures and protocols to ensure the correct identification of your loved one. This involves completing paperwork that gives them permission to begin the process and asking for information about the container they will use and who will pick up the remains. Once the process is completed, the cremated remains are returned to your family.

Cremation

In the most traditional type of cremation, a body is placed in a cremation chamber (also called a retort) that burns off tissue, organs, and other materials with flame and heat. The gases (mostly carbon dioxide and water vapor) discharge, leaving bone fragments to be pulverized into ashes.  A different type of cremation, referred to as alkaline hydrolysis, uses a different kind of chamber that is airtight and uses liquid chemicals to break down tissues. The alkaline hydrolysis process breaks down tissues into basic compounds and elements. In this type of cremation, the remaining ashes can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way by sending them to a wastewater treatment facility that can reuse the contaminated water as fertilizer.

Disposition

The final disposition of your loved one’s remains is a very personal decision. It is based on your values, beliefs, and wishes. While burial is the most traditional and common option, there are other alternatives that may be right for you and your family. Disposal of cremated ashes can include placing them in a permanent, above-ground resting place called a columbarium or scattering the ashes in a body of water. There are also specialty urns that can be used to make jewelry, shoot off in a gun, turn into a painting, or otherwise create something that honors your loved one’s unique and creative spirit.