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Cremation Process
The cremation process takes place inside a cremation chamber constructed to withstand intense heat and flame, reaching temperatures as high as 1800° Fahrenheit (1000° Centigrade).
The inside of the chamber is lined on both sides with a heavy refractory brick or tile, while the floor and ceiling ressts are made of concrete. The floor, which is approximately 6 inches thick, is supported by a heavy metal plate, and the ceiling resets on the sidewalls. A layer of insulation is placed between the refractory and the outside protective housing.
There are several types of cremation chambers manufactured. Generally, they are made of high-grade steel plate and include a variety of automatic controls. Most use gas or oil for heating.
The structure that houses the cremation chamber is called the crematory or crematorium. It can be a building that serves this one function or part of a multi-purpose facility such as a funeral home or chapel.
Modern fireproofing, noise barriers and environmental protection devices are built into the chambers to ensure problem-free operations within any area.
Before cremation can begin, all authorization forms must be completed and signed. This includes obtaining important information and reviewing the crematory's rules, regulations and procedures.
Surgical implants, nuclear medicines and contagious diseases
A heart pacemaker or other implanted mechanical, prosthetic or radioactive device can explode during cremation causing significant damage to the crematorium and injury to staff. As a preventive measure, the funeral director must determine if the deceased had any of these surgical implants so that they may be removed.
Recently concern has been raised over the potential exposure that funeral home and crematory personnel may encounter with decedents who have been treated with nuclear medicines or received brachytherapy treatment. This treatment involves the implantation of radioactive seeds. The rupture of certain types of radioactive seeds during the actual cremation or during the processing of the cremated remains could result in a significant release of radiation in a relatively confined area. Depending on the type of seed and its half-life the funeral director must determine if the seeds should be removed or the cremation delayed until the seeds are rendered inactive.
Confirmation of whether the deceased died of an infectious or contagious disease is also information needed by the funeral director to ensure the necessary precautions are taken.
Without definitive knowledge of the deceased's medical history, the funeral director is unable to proceed with cremation. Once procured this information will dictate if or when the cremation will proceed. In some jurisdictions there is a mandatory 24 to 48 hour waiting period before cremation can take place. There is no such requirement in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Personal Possessions
Due to nature of the cremation process, any personal possessions or valuable materials such as jewellery which are not removed prior to cremation will be destroyed or, if not destroyed, disposed of by the crematory in a non-recoverable manner.
Those families' who would like certain personal possessions to remain with the deceased are encouraged to place them directly in the urn with the cremated remains.
Casket or Container
Most crematories require the deceased to be cremated in a combustible, leak proof, rigid, covered container, if a casket is not being used. The deceased is always cremated in the casket or container used or received by the crematory. The only exception being, when a rental casket is used. In that case the deceased will be removed and placed in a wooded or cardboard cremation container. Cremation caskets, having simple design characteristics with few metal parts, are also available.
It is the preference of most crematories that the casket or container be made of wood or other combustible material. Non-combustible materials used on traditional caskets such as decorative handles or rails, latches, et cetera, which could cause damage to the cremation equipment are removed prior to cremation and destroyed or disposed of by the crematory in a non-recoverable manner. Any small metal parts such as nails, screws and staples are removed with a magnet following the cremation process.
In order to cremate in a metal casket, it is necessary to remove the front cover of the casket, exposing the remains. As a metal casket will not be totally consumed, its remnants will be disposed of by the crematory.
The cremation process begins with the placement of the casket or container in the cremation chamber where it is subjected to intense heat and flames reducing the human remains to bone fragments, referred to as "cremated remains".
During the cremation process, it may be necessary to open the cremation chamber and reposition the deceased in order to achieve a complete and through cremation. Every effort is made afterward to remove all the human remains; however, a small residue may remain in the cremation chamber, resulting in incidental commingling with other cremated remains.
This completes the cremation process. The urn or container in which the cremated remains is placed in now ready for final committal, scattering, or can be returned to the family or kept at the funeral home for safekeeping.
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