What Happens During the Cremation Process?

The cremation process is one process that is often hidden from the public. The thought of it is something most people would prefer not to think about. But for many of us who work in the funeral industry, it’s something we see and deal with daily.

We wanted to share the process for those who are interested to learn what happens to their loved one should they choose to cremate them.

The Cremation Process:

Before the Cremation:

• Once a body has been delivered in a coffin to the crematorium, it’s given a metal name plate with a unique number (to ensure its traceable – so there are no mix ups)
• Somebody is watching at all times to ensure no mistakes are made
• Then pacemakers (and other objects) are checked for as they can create a problem during the cremation if not removed
• The Crematorium operator will wear protective clothing (a face mask and gloves) so they don’t burn

During the Cremation:

• The temperature in the furnace needs to be between 800-1000 degrees Celsius before the door can be opened and a coffin inserted
• As soon as the temperature is up, the coffin can be placed inside using a tray on a conveyor belt
• The deceased person is always placed feet first into the furnace
• The cremation takes about 90 minutes for someone of a standard size
• Once finished, the ashes are raked into a removable box

After the Cremation:

• The ashes, along with their name plate, are then taken to a prep room where they are placed on an instruction fan that cools them down
• An Action Processor then grinds the hardened bones into dust
• An average container of human ashes weighs between 4 and 6 kilograms
• The container is then labelled with the person’s unique number on the front, back and inside.

If you want to learn more about the process, this article explains it in more detail.

Looking to Cremate a Loved One?

It is often thought that choosing a cremation service means you sacrifice a professional funeral, which isn’t the case. If you choose one of our cremation services, you still enjoy the benefits of a full funeral service if you choose.

Our cremation fees start from $1950, see our full list of cremation services here.

Contact Us

If you are unsure and would like to speak to our friendly staff, please call us on 03 8779 2570 or fill out our online form. We are available 24/7 to assist you in any way you need.