Understanding Cremation: Process and Planning

If you are considering cremation, then you may be wondering about exactly how cremation works. In today’s blog article we are going to go over the general steps to clarify the process and put your mind at ease.

Transfer of the Decedent

First, the decedent will be transferred into the care of the crematorium.  Once the decedent is in the care of the crematorium the decedent has to be identified.  At Care & Comfort Cremations this process is done with 2 staff members who verify correct spelling of the decedent’s full name, date of birth, date of death and that their personal health number matches the information provided to them by the family.  If there is any discrepancy no matter if it is a single number or letter no cremation will take place until all forms of identification match.

Preparation of the Body

Once authorization from the family is received and documents are signed, then the body is prepared for cremation. Jewelry is generally removed along with any medical devices or prosthetics. Then the body is placed in a cremation casket or container that is lightweight and combustible but strong enough to bear the weight of the body.

Cremation

The cremation, itself, takes place in a retort or cremation chamber designed for cremation. The process takes a on average 2.5 hours between temperatures of 800 – 1000 degrees celcius ( 1600 – 1900 degrees farenheit). Only one decedent is crematedat a time, as required by law.  All that is left cremains of the decedent.  They cremation casket/container has been totally consumed during the actual cremation.  There is no ash left from the casket or container.  When the cremation is completed the cremains need to cool for a period of time before they can be retrieved. Once the cremation chamber has cooled down the cremains are swept out with a very fine wire brush. They are then further processed into a smaller particle in the consistency of course sand.  On average a family will receive back 2.5kg – 4 kg (6-9 lbs.) of cremains.

Retrieval

The funeral home will alert you when the cremains are ready to be received in the urn chosen during your arrangement.  Some people elect to use a little of the cremains to make a keepsake such as a paperweight, votive candle holder.  These items are hand made with some of the cremains placed into the item, blown by the glass blower. A few grains may be placed into a piece of jewelry designed to hold the cremains.

Many cremation providers allow for preplanning of cremation services. You can always contact your cremation provider of choice ahead of time to ask questions.

Care and Comfort Cremations is located in Vancouver and serves not only Vancouver, but Richmond, Burnaby, and the North Shore. We offer cremations at a fraction of the cost of a traditional funeral home while providing personal service with reverence and respect. If you have any questions about this blog article, please feel free to call us at (604) 260-2156.