Cremation
Cremation is the process of disposing of a body by burning. Cremation is the second most popular choice for disposition of a body. Cremation occurs at a crematorium, which can be a part of or independent of a funeral home.
The body is burned in the retort (the chamber in the cremation furnace where the body is placed) and burned at temperatures between 1400 and 2100 F. The process is usually completed in under three hours. After the process, bone fragments and ash are all that remain, representing up to 5% of the bodies original mass.
Often, the cremated remains are placed in a decorative urn. The urns are then buried in the ground in a cemetery, interred in a niche, kept by the family at home, or the cremated remains are scattered at sea or on land. Feel free to discuss cremation with your religious organization. Certain religions do not permit cremation, or only permit it within certain guidelines.
Funeral services, celebration of life and personalized options, as well as burial or entombment, are also available when cremation is chosen. Click here to view examples.