The Cremation Process
The Cremation Process
Cremation has been a part of the human death experience for a very long time. If you would like to understand more about the cremation process or even visit our Crematory at our Imperial funeral home, we invite you to read this section or give us a call. We'll also take a look at cremation options that will help you with your decision.
A Short History of Cremation
According to Wikipedia, cremation dates back at least 20,000 years ago in Australia, while in Europe, there is evidence of cremation dating to around 2,000 B.C. Cremation was common in Ancient Greece and Rome, and it remains a standard practice in India. The practice of cremation faded in Europe by the fifth century and during the Middle Ages, it was primarily used in the punishment of heretics or in response to the fear of contagious diseases. Today, cremation is preferred by more and more people around the world.
The Flame Cremation Process
Traditional cremation
is the process of reducing a body at very high temperatures until it is nothing but brittle, calcified bones. These are then processed into what we commonly call ashes. Returned to the family in a gold metal urn (provided by the funeral home), these ashes can be kept or buried. Some families even choose to place a loved one's cremated remains in a hand-crafted piece of cremation art or jewelry.
In modern crematories, the body is stored in a cool, temperature-controlled room until it's approved for cremation. The body is prepared by removing pacemakers, due to the lithium batteries causing damage to our equipment. The body is then put into a cremation container, made out of flammable materials such as plywood or cardboard.
The container is placed in our retort or cremating chamber. It takes anywhere from two to five hours to reduce an average adult to ash. When the cremated remains are cooled, they are processed to a uniformly-sized pebble-like substance and placed in an urn. The funeral director then returns the cremated remains to the family.
Cremation Costs
Cremation typically costs one-third of the cost of a traditional burial. While it's true that cost is a big factor for many families, it's important to remember that cremation is only one part of providing meaningful end-of-life care for a loved one. Coming to terms with the death of a loved one is important and can be achieved with a memorial service. Bringing family and friends together provides everyone with the opportunity to share memories and receive support.
Spend Time with Us
Sit down with us to discuss your cremation options. We appreciate the opportunity to share our insights and experience to fully support you in making end-of-life decisions for you and your family. Call us to schedule an appointment or drop by our office.
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