How is a Body Prepared for Cremation?
Cremation is a process that reduces a deceased person's body to ashes through intense heat. While the specifics can vary slightly based on cultural practices and individual preferences, the preparation process generally follows a similar procedure. Understanding this process can help alleviate concerns and provide closure for grieving families.
What Happens Before Cremation?
Before the cremation process itself begins, several steps are usually taken to prepare the body. These steps ensure a respectful and dignified process.
- Identification and Verification: The deceased is positively identified by family members or authorized personnel. This is a crucial step to prevent any errors.
- Clothing: The deceased may be dressed in clothing selected by the family. Often, this is clothing of personal significance or that reflects their personality. If no clothing is provided, the funeral home will generally provide a simple garment.
- Personal Effects: Any personal items the family wishes to be cremated with the deceased, such as jewelry or religious items, will be removed and carefully documented. The funeral home will usually provide a list of what is included for record-keeping purposes.
- Medical Devices: Pacemakers and other implanted medical devices must be removed before cremation. This is a safety precaution to prevent damage to the cremation equipment. The removal is usually done by a medical professional or a trained specialist at the funeral home.
- Embalming (Optional): Although not always necessary for cremation, some families opt for embalming. While embalming is more common for traditional burial, it can also be chosen for cremation to improve the appearance of the body for viewing before the cremation process. However, embalming is not required for cremation.
The Cremation Process: What Happens to the Body?
The body is placed in a cremation container, often a simple cardboard coffin or a more ornate alternative chosen by the family. This container is then placed in a cremation chamber or retort, a specially designed furnace that uses extremely high temperatures (typically 1400-1800°F or 760-982°C) to reduce the body to bone fragments. This process typically takes 1-3 hours.
After Cremation: Processing the Remains
Once the cremation process is complete, the remaining bone fragments are allowed to cool. These fragments are then carefully processed to break them into smaller pieces. This process is called pulverization or reduction. The resulting ashes are then placed in an urn, which is given to the family.
What Happens to Medical Implants?
As mentioned earlier, medical implants like pacemakers must be removed before cremation. This is primarily due to safety concerns. The presence of certain metals can damage the cremation equipment and also potentially release harmful substances during the cremation process. The funeral home will typically handle the safe disposal of removed medical devices.
Can You Have a Viewing Before Cremation?
Yes, a viewing or visitation is possible before cremation. Many families choose to have a viewing to say their final goodbyes, regardless of their choice of cremation versus burial. In these cases, preparation of the body for viewing might be done, and this usually involves embalming to preserve the body’s appearance.
Are There Different Types of Cremation?
While the core process remains similar, there are variations in cremation practices, sometimes influenced by cultural or religious beliefs. These might involve specific rituals or ceremonies that occur before, during, or after the cremation.
The preparation of a body for cremation is a respectful process aiming to ensure a dignified farewell. While many may find this topic sensitive, understanding the stages provides comfort and allows for informed decision-making during a challenging time.
