How is a Body Prepared for Cremation?

When someone dies, their loved ones have to make a lot of tough decisions. One of those decisions is what to do with the body. Some people choose burial while others choose cremation. No matter which option is chosen, the body needs to be prepared for cremation. Below will discuss the summary of how a body is prepared for cremation and what happens during the process.

• A body is sanitized and dressed in a white cotton sheet
• The body is placed into a casket or container that is combustible
• The casket or container is placed in the cremation chamber
• The heat from the flames breaks down the body, and within 2-3 hours the bones are reduced to ashes
• The ashes are then swept out of the cremation chamber and placed in an urn

What are the steps of cremation?

The first step in the cremation process is to place the body on a metal tray and cover it with combustible material such as wood or charcoal. The body is then set on fire and the flames gradually consume the body. The remains are then reduced to ashes and bone fragments, which are swept into an urn. If there are any large pieces of metal (such as surgical implants), they are removed from the ashes before they are given to the family.

What is the cremation process for humans?

The cremation process for humans takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. The body is placed in a retort, which is then heated to between 1400 and 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the body burns, and the bones turn to ash. After the body has been cremated, the ashes are placed in an urn and returned to the family.

How long does the cremation process last?

The cremation process usually takes around two hours. The actual time it takes will depend on the size of the body and the type of incinerator that is being used.

What happens during the process of cremation?

Cremation is the process of using high heat to turn a dead person’s body parts into ashes. A single dead person is placed in a cremation chamber and then they are subjected to extreme heat for around two hours.

The Process of Cremations

For Peoria, AZ cremations, large industrial furnaces that are specifically designed for cremations are use. The entire process is completed in about three hours. Before cremation begins, the deceased person is properly identified and care and respect for the deceased is given throughout the process. 

Cremation simply reduces a human body to its most basic elements using open flames, intense heat (1,400 to 2,000 degrees Farenheight), and evaporation. The automatic and computerized furnace used for this process is known as a cremation chamber. The body is encased in a completely-combustible container, such as a wooden casket or a rigid cardboard container. 

Cremated remains are usually called “ashes,” but in fact the remains are mostly bone fragments. The cremation process typically produces three to nine pounds of remains, depending on body size and cremation process. 

The cremation process has five steps. The first step is to verify the identity of the deceased person and to get the proper authorization to cremate the body. Second, the body is prepared by the crematorium staff and placed in a fully-combustible container. Third, the body is moved to the cremation chamber. Fourth, the remains are removed. A magnet is used to remove any bits of metal that may be left behind, and the remains are ground. Fifth, the remains are transferred to a temporary container or to an urn that the family has provided. 

After the cremation process is complete, the ashes are given to the family to keep or dispose off in whatever manner they wish. Often, family members will spread the ashes on a favorite place or, if the deceased person had a spouse who was buried, at the spouse’s gravesite. 

Many people are concerned about how the body is identified and whether they can be assured that the ashes they receive are those of their loved ones. Cremations are governed by very strict procedures. In paperwork that the family completes, permission is given to cremate the deceased’s body. The paperwork also states who will pick up the remains and what type of container to use for the remains. 

To identify the deceased, typically a family member is asked to verify that the body is the right one. After the body is identified by the family, a metal ID tag, which will stay throughout the entire cremation process, is attached to the body. After the cremation, the ID tag will be included with the remains. 

Preparation of the body for cremation is similar to that for burial, except that in direct cremations, the body is not embalmed. The body will be washed and dressed before being identified by the family. All jewelry, assisted devices (such as hearing aids and glasses), and any medical devices (such as pacemakers and prosthetics) are removed. Anything the family wants to keep will be given to them, while the medical devices will be disposed of in a proper manner. Artificial joints are not removed prior to cremation, but since titanium doesn’t melt, many of the large replacement joints (knees, shoulders, and hips) are removed from the remains after they’ve cooled down. 

If you’d like to know more about Peoria, AZ cremations, you can talk with our empathetic and experienced team at Simply Cremation & Funeral Arrangements. You can also come see us at our funeral home at 16952 W. Bell Rd., #303, Surprise, AZ, 85374, or you can call us today at (623) 975-9393.  

At Simply Cremation & Funeral Arrangements, we understand that making funeral arrangements can be difficult. That’s why we work hard to provide compassionate and understanding service to our clients. If you have any questions about the cremation process or would like more information about Peoria, AZ cremations, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to help.

Cremation FAQs

How long does it take to cremate a human body?

It usually takes around two to three hours to cremate a human body, but the time it takes can vary depending on the person’s size and weight. Larger or overweight individuals will take longer to burn than smaller people.

How many bodies get cremated at once?

You can only have one person cremated at a time. The cremation chamber must be clean of ashes before another cremation can start. These rules mean that you don’t have much control over how a cremation is done.

Does the body feel pain during cremation?

The body does not feel pain during cremation because the person is no longer alive. When a person dies, their brain stops sending signals to the body. This means that the person cannot feel pain or any other sensation. In fact, a dead person feels nothing at all.

Do you have clothes on when you are cremated?

When someone is cremated, they are not necessarily wearing clothes. It depends on if they had a traditional funeral or not. If they did, then the person would be cremated in whatever clothes they were wearing.