Terri Ramsey Beavers Currently, almost 70% of British families opt for cremation funerals. However, since much of the cremation procedure is conducted secretly, many unanswered issues may arise.
This manual answers your questions as you consider whether or not to arrange a cremation funeral ceremony.
Cremation Explained
Cremation is the reduction of a human corpse to ashes through the application of high temperatures. An individual corpse is cremated in a room constructed for that purpose, where it is heated to high temperatures for around two hours.
Some bone fragments may remain after the cremation process is complete; they are removed from the cremator, let to cool, and then ground into ash by a special machine—ashes collected in a receptacle. The deceased’s ashes might be returned to the family after cremation.
What happens at a cremation service?
Crowds of mourners show up at the crematorium.
Visitors visiting the crematorium can wait outside for the hearse or enter the chapel to pay their respects before the casket is brought inside. Alternatively, the casket could be delivered to the ceremony site before the mourners show up. The catafalque, a raised, ornamented platform, is then moved to the head of the procession so that everyone can pay their respects.
Grievers take their places in the church before the start of the service.
The ceremony itself often lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, while the cremation itself takes place at a separate location. Accordingly, punctuality on the part of guests is highly valued.
An act of commitment has begun.
After a funeral service, like at newrestfunerals, the casket is usually covered so that mourners can pay their respects privately before the cremation occurs. The casket can be hidden from view using curtains, glass, a gate, or even taken outside.
Funeral attendees disperse
Visitors can now pay their respects to the relatives of the dead, view the floral tributes and wreaths that have been donated, and make their way to the wake.
The wake starts.
An optional plan to commemorate the deceased and bring family and friends together. The presence of refreshments, drinks, music, and pictures of the deceased can help create an atmosphere conducive to remembering and sharing fond memories.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cremation
Since, unlike a burial, the cremation process usually takes place out of sight of mourners, it can leave many unanswered questions. The cremation process, however, is really simple.
What are the dissimilarities between a cremation and a burial?
The commitment is when the casket is lowered into the ground after a cremation service has concluded.
What documentation is required by law to permit cremation?
To move forward with a burial or cremation, a family member must have a Green form, which can be obtained after registering the death of a loved one. In addition, an application for cremation must be filled out by either the executor of the will or the closest relative of the dead.
The death certificates require two doctors’ signatures to confirm the deceased’s identity. The final treating physician must fill out and sign this form to attest to the decedent’s death and cause. The second is a separate physician who must confirm the death and its reason. For legal reasons, both doctors need to examine the body.
If a family member passes away under mysterious circumstances, the coroner (or procurator fiscal in Scotland) will be called in. The coroner is responsible for the necessary documents in this case.
Your funeral director will handle submitting the necessary paperwork to the cremation authorities.
How does one get ready to cremate a loved one?
The departed are given a quick bath and dressed in a basic gown or their clothes before being turned over to the care of a funeral director. Many people who have died are kept in professional mortuaries, keeping them cool with an embalming technique until they are cremated. There are a variety of religious beliefs and customs that can affect the needs of a client when preparing a body. To prevent reactions in the cremation chamber, jewelry and other valuables like medical gadgets and prosthetic limbs are returned to families before the day of the cremation.
After the cremation service, the crematorium employees will verify the nameplate on the casket and issue an identification card. The proper remains can then be returned to the appropriate families.
When cremating, is a casket necessary?
Several varieties of veneer and hardwood caskets are available for your selection. Cardboard coffins are cheap and eco-friendly alternatives are available.
Contact a local funeral director from Funeral Partners to learn more about your options for caskets and any specific crematorium regulations that may apply.
What happens to the casket when the body is cremated?
Because it is comprised of flammable materials, the coffin is burned together with the body during the cremation process.
Can you tell me what goes in a casket before it’s cremated?
Items that will quickly decompose in the cremation process include wooden toys, books, flowers, and pictures. This is true so long as the substance is not flammable and does not give out toxic vapors, such as alcohol or latex.
It’s possible that using hard materials, such as metal, is prohibited, even on the coffin itself. Therefore, verifying the policies of the crematorium you intend to use is crucial.
Are cremations performed in groups or separately?
Due in part to the space constraints of cremation chambers, the United Kingdom does require that persons be cremated separately. There could be an exception if the conditions were right.
How long would it take to cremate a deceased body?
There is an additional one to two hours of cooling time after a cremation, bringing the total time to three hours. The cremation temperature, body mass, and casket material play a role here.
Does the practice of cremation adhere to any standards?
Yes. Crematoriums must adhere to a strict code of conduct, which is often posted for all to see.