CREMATION, What is It?

Cremation may serve as a funeral or a post-funeral rite that is an alternative to the interment of an intact body in a casket. Cremated remains may be buried or immured in memorial sites or cemeteries, or they may be legally retained by relatives or dispersed in a variety of ways and locations (e.g. scattering at sea).

A growing number of people are selecting the option of Cremation. It is becoming more popular as a method for the final disposition of the body for reasons such as some do not like the idea of a traditional burial, it simplifies the burial process, is more environmentally friendly and more economical.

Cremation is a process by which a body is exposed to extreme heat, usually 1800 – 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, for two hours or more. This process results in the body being reduced to its basic elements which are then referred to as “the cremated body” or “created remains”. This occurs at a crematorium in a special kind of furnace called a cremation chamber or cremation retort. The crematorium may be part of a chapel, a funeral home, part of an independent facility or a service offered by a cemetery.

After this process of heat and flame, bone fragments remain. They are then mechanically processed to form a uniform power-like texture. After this preparation the cremated remains can be placed in a temporary container that is suitable for transport.

There is a growing trend towards cremation and the keeping of cremated remains in the home in a memorial urn. These urns are available in colorful ceramics, exotic woods and fine metals. Cremation Jewelry is also a growing area such as “The Eternity Heart” that encases a small amount of cremated remains in a piece of fine jewelry. These items can serve as memorials as well as heirlooms that may be passed on through the generations.