When a loved one dies, more and more families are choosing cremation over burial. Although widespread, this practice remains a mystery to loved ones, who don't always dare ask what happens inside a crematorium. To enlighten families and remove the last taboos surrounding this practice, which is often more economical than a burial, we explain how a cremation process works.
Cremation is a funeral technique that involves burning and reducing the body of a deceased person to ashes. This is called cremation, not incineration, which is more commonly used for waste. This process may be accompanied by a funeral ceremony. Most often, this takes place before the cremation, but it can also take place after the cremation, when the ashes are handed over.
Before cremation
The choice of cremation may have been made by the deceased during their lifetime, or by their family after their death. Before proceeding with cremation, it is necessary to carry out minimal preparation of the body. For example, the mortician must ensure that all medical devices and cardiac pacemakers are removed for safety reasons, as they can explode when subjected to excessive temperatures. Jewelry and any other personal items must also be removed, unless the family wishes the deceased to be cremated with them.
During cremation
The deceased must be placed in a container before entering the crematorium. This can be a simple container or the coffin in which the body was laid out. In this case, the metal elements are removed. The cost of the container is included in the packages offered by Actuel Funeral Services.
The container is then placed on a hydraulic table, to be safely slid onto an assembly allowing access to the crematorium oven. The oven temperature is between 1000 and 2000 degrees Celsius during the cremation. This lasts on average an hour and a half, but can last longer depending on the body size of the deceased. During cremation, all organic matter disappears, and only bone fragments remain. After cooling for two hours, these bone fragments are crushed, which produces the ashes.
After cremation
The ashes are then collected and placed in a funeral urn chosen by the deceased in advance, or by their loved ones. This can be an urn made of marble , brass , wood or other materials.
You can then dispose of the ashes according to the deceased's prior wishes, or as the family has decided. If you bury the urn in the ground, in a cemetery, you can choose a monument or plaque to mark the location and allow people to come and pay their respects. It is also possible to purchase a plot in a columbarium. If the deceased wished to have their ashes scattered, be sure to check the local regulations. Also consider the fact that the deceased's loved ones will likely want a place to come and pay their respects.
Cremation is an economical yet respectful way to dispose of the body of a deceased loved one. In fact, this practice is widely favored in Quebec. According to data from the Corporation des thanatologues du Québec, the cremation rate was 72% in 2015. Contact Actuel Funeral Services to learn more about our economical packages and cremation services.
