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The Cremation Process
People often have many misconceptions about how cremation actually works. Many people think that cremation is completed by simply using fire to burn the body. However, this is simply not true. In reality, the cremation process is completed with a lot more care and is much more technical in nature. Below, we outline the process of cremation as well as the the necessary steps taken to complete the cremation process legally.
How Does Cremation Work?
We hear the question 'how does cremation work?' from
many families before they make their decision. Cremation is the process of reducing a body to ash by exposing it to very high temperatures. Below, we have highlighted the key steps in the cremation process that take place from the moment the body is received by the funeral home.
How Cremation Works - The Crematorium's Process
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Before moving forward with the cremation process, the body of the deceased must be identified by the family, and all paperwork must be taken care of.
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The operator of the crematorium must prepare the body by removing medical devices such as protheses, implants, and pacemakers as well as jewelry.
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Once prepared, the body is placed in a container made of wood or heavy cardboard. The container must be combustible but also sturdy enough to carry the weight of a body.
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The container is placed in a large furnace known as a crematory chamber. The heat of the furnace can reach nearly 2,000 degrees. After around 2 or 3 hours, the cremation process is complete, and about 3 to 9 pounds of a fine gravel-like substance remains.
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After a required cooling period, the ashes are placed in a container and returned to the family. (Kim, M., 2018)
6 Cremation Steps - What You Need to Know About the Cremation Process at Metropolitan Funeral Chapels
1. Plan Online or Call Us
You can start planning a cremation service with our online platform.
However, if you have questions or need assistance immediately, please give us a call. |
2. Making the Agreement Official
After we receive your online cremation request, we will reach out to you to finalize the agreement and make an official record on our database.
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3. Removal from the Place of Death
Upon death, contact us and we will remove the body from the place of death and transfer it to our facility. If you have chosen our direct cremation service, we will transfer the body directly to our crematorium.
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4. Viewing & Funeral
If you wish to have a visitation or funeral, we will begin making the necessary preparations for these services.
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5. Cremation
At this step in the cremation process we will transfer the body to the crematorium, and the operators will then take care of the cremation itself. The cremation will take 1-3 days to be completed.
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6. Safeguarding the Ashes
We keep your loved one’s ashes safe until the next of kin is ready to receive them.
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Sources:
Kim, M. (2018). How cremation works. Retrieved from https://science.howstuffworks.com/cremation1.htm
