It might sound grim, but for those of you who’ve ever had to say goodbye to a loved one, you may have found yourself asking one specific question. “How does cremation actually work?”
It’s natural to be curious. If we’re lucky, most of us will only have to think about cremation services once or twice in a lifetime. And the whole process can seem very mysterious. So today we’re going to take a closer look at cremation so you know what to expect.
The Process
Cremation services comprise five essential steps:
- The deceased is identified and the cremation service obtains sign-off from the family
- The body is prepared and placed in a specialized container
- This container is transferred to a furnace for cremation
- Following the cremation, any remaining metal is removed and the cremains are crushed
- The cremains are moved to a container, which is given to the family
Cremation services reduce the body to its basic components by burning it. Through intense heat and evaporation, the deceased’s body becomes compacted into ash and bone fragments. This is done in a specially designed furnace and the ashes are collected in special containers.
Many people assume cremated ashes or “cremains” will be completely powdered but, as we’ve mentioned, they’re actually mainly composed of bone fragments. For those of you who are interested, you’ll be receiving a mix of cremated remains, remnants from the container, and small amounts of byproducts from the incinerator.
How Popular Is Cremation?
More people choose cremation than traditional burials. For some reason, we tend to think of burials as the default option when a loved one passes away. The truth, however, is that cremations have been the more popular option for a few decades in most countries.
There are reasons for this. It’s a more cost-effective option, and far more convenient than a burial. There is limited space in many countries when it comes to burials, and this can mean having to choose honoring your loved one with a cremation, instead.
Have you recently lost a loved one? Are you interested in learning more about cremation services? Visit Woodward Cremation and Funeral Services and we’ll help guide you through the process.
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