Cremation is the process of reducing the deceased's body to bone fragments through intense heat in a high technology cremation chamber. It takes from two to three hours to complete this process in temperatures reaching approximately 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. After cooling, the remaining bone fragments are further reduced to what is then called ash, or cremains.
A common misconception that people have about cremation is that if a person wishes to be cremated that there will be no opportunity for viewing of the deceased, or that the body cannot be present at the funeral service. Cremation simply serves as an alternative form of disposition other than earth burial and can take place following a funeral service. A rental casket is available for these situations.
Prior to cremation the deceased's body is placed into a Cremation Container, which is a casket-like box. The purpose of this container is to allow the funeral home staff to store, transport, and load the body into the crematory in a dignified manner. Style and make of the Cremation Container varies from solid pine to cloth covered cardboard or plywood.
After cremation the cremated remains will be placed into a temporary plastic container unless the family has pre-selected an urn from the funeral home.
