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What happens when a person is taken to the crematorium? Well… we kinda know what happens…. kinda. It’s one of those things in life people really don’t think about until they do. And when they do, they realise that maybe they should know more.
When a loved one is cremated there could naturally a concern that what happens to them is done properly. I had a family that needed to know everything. How long would they be there before the cremation? Can we be there? How are the ashes handled? So what actually happens?
Before the Cremation
Before any cremation can take place there is paperwork that needs to be completed. A cremation cannot go ahead until a Medical Referee goes over all the necessary paperwork to make sure the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed. This mainly involves the cause of death, which a doctor usually completes. And there is obviously some information about the person.
Once this has been processed and signed off, then the cremation can take place. Regardless if there was a big church service or a private committal or a direct cremation – the same thing happens each time a person arrives.
What needs to happen with the body?
Nothing at all needs to happen to the body, other than removing anything with a battery. I.e. a pacemaker. A funeral home can do this. Other than that, no fireworks or any other things that may upset the cremator and the crematorium operator.
Cremation Process
Booking in
When a person arrives the cremation will happen that day. No one is left at the crematorium overnight. The funeral home would “booked” them so they know which day it will happen. Until the person will either stay at the funeral home or their home until that time. A cremation can happen the same day or often the next day. Or when it may suit the family.
There is a limited number of cremations that can happen each day. Once that number is reached, no more cremations until the next day.
No public viewings
The public aren’t allowed in where the cremations take place. The reasons for this are health and safety and also the privacy if other cremations are taking place. A family may remain outside if they choose. But definitely
How Long?
The whole process takes several hours. To become ashes takes 1-2 hours. The longest part is the time needed for the ashes to cool down. So usually the ashes will be ready the following (work) day.
Social Distancing – No Mixing or Intermingling
Each person that is cremated never comes in contact with anyone else. The ashes of any person is returned to that family. There is a very strict procedure the operator must follow that ensures this happens. Think of life under covid – but with even more rules for keeping people apart.
After each cremation the cremator is cleaned completely before the next person arrived. No contact. No mixing. No nothing.
The larger bones need to be made into ash. This is done by the aptly named Cremulator. It is a very noisy and efficient tool that ensured there is only ashes and dust.
After Cremation
As you would expect, after the cremation, identifying different people becomes harder. So when they first arrive there is a name tag that goes with them every step of the way. When the ashes are placed in a cardboard urn, their name and other details are printed on a sticker which is then stuck on the urn.
The urn remains in the office until it is collected – usually by the funeral home. Who will either deliver the urn or the family may come to the funeral home to collect.
There are occasions when the urn has been couriered out of town. And if the urn is taken overseas the person carrying the urn needs a certificate that the funeral home can provide since their passport won’t work.
Conclusion
My hope is that people will realise that there is a strict process that ensures not only professional, but also caring treatment of a person.
I’m not sure what other crematoriums operate, but I would think it similar. Yes, there maybe some stories told about odd, upsetting or illegal things happening at crematoriums. But that’s not the case here. Nelson’s crematorium is very boring and predictable. And also a great team who I trust completely.
