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What is Cremation
An explanation of Cremation and its purpose
Cremation is the process of breaking down a deceased body by process of extreme heat and vaporization. A very popular alternative to burial, cremation has been around for literally thousands of years. The cremation process itself has not changed dramatically over time and provides a wonderful opportunity for families to share a part of their loved one in a manner that best suits them. There are several ways to preserve your reminder of your loved one as well as several interesting ways to set their ashes free. With global warming and environmental issues a major concern, it is important to understand the effects of cremation on the environment.
When a body is being prepared for cremation, it is typically placed in a wooden casket or sometimes a box. Many casket manufacturers have actual caskets that are crafted of wood and are considered a cremation casket. When the time has come for the body to be cremated it is delivered to the crematorium where it is incinerated at extreme temperatures. The body is then reduced to bone fragments as much of the soft tissue and remaining organs are vaporized and oxidized. The entire process takes about two hours. The bone fragments are then ground to a very fine ash using an electric cremated remains processor.
The process of cremation has not changed too drastically over many decades. The incinerator or furnace that the body is placed in can reach temperatures upward of 950 degrees C. The retort, the chamber inside the furnace where the body is placed, is only designed to hold one body. The incinerator is computer controlled and lined with refractory bricks that are heat-resistant.
Once the body has been incinerated, collecting of the ashes and bone fragments begins. The bone fragments consist of a very small percentage of the actual human body, typically around 3-4%. Pacemakers, jewelry and other items that could get damaged or damage the cremator are removed before the cremation process begins. Pulverization of the bone fragments processes them into tiny ashes or cremated remains. The ashes can then be placed in a container of the family’s choice or a box.
Once a family has the remains of their loved one, they have several different options. Many opt to place the remains in an urn or keepsake urn. Scattering a loved one’s ashes is very popular and burying the cremated ashes is also another idea that many families embrace. A small amount of ashes may be set aside to be placed in a cremation pendant. A cremation pendant is a jewelry pendant that will hold a small amount of ashes. Cremation diamonds are a new idea on the market where a small amount of ashes are compressed into an actual diamond formed of your loved one’s cremains.
How cremation affects the environment is certainly something to be aware of in today’s world. Embalming fluids have been said to contain contaminates. This in turn can contaminate ground water, the earth and turns the coffin itself into a source of contamination. When it comes to cremated remains, crematory emissions are not known to be environmentally friendly. Sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide are just a few of the noxious emissions that the environment can be subjected to.
Cremation is yet another option when a loved one passes away and provides a wonderful alternative for family members to have a lasting memory of their loved one. The cremation process has been around for thousands of years and in that time, has changed very little. Scattering ashes, burying ashes and cremation jewelry are some of the ways in which we celebrate the memory we have left of our loved one. Environmental issues continue to be a slight concern whether a loved one is buried or cremated and research regarding the impact on the environment is ongoing.
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