How ?Long Does The Cremation Process Take? | George Boom

How Long Does the Cremation Process Take?

How does it work?

Whether to opt for casket-ed burial or cremation is a big decision, and you might feel like you need more information before you choose one or the other for your loved one -- or for yourself, if you’re doing advance funeral planning.

Despite the fact that it has been practiced for almost 2,000 years, cremation still has a lot of mystery surrounding it because most people never witness what goes on behind the scenes when a human body is cremated. Knowing how it occurs will help alleviate the fear that some people have regarding cremation.

George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory uses state of the art cremation facilities and all of our cremations are completed by licensed funeral directors with special training in crematory operation. This ensures the deceased is treated with dignity and honor, all while maintaining proper identification.

The Cremation Procedure

Cremation is the process of using intense heat to reduce the body to cremated remains or “ashes”. The Authorizing agent selects the cremation container that the deceased will be placed in for the cremation process. Following the process of high heat, the remaining fragments of bone and teeth are further processed to the consistency of oyster shell and placed in the urn selected by the authorizing agent. The entire process takes between 2-3 hours to complete.

The Cremation Procedure is Comprised of Five Essential Phases:

1. The body is washed, dressed, and placed in the cremation container in preparation for positive identification completed by the legal next of kin.
2. Proper authorization and permits are obtained.
3. The receptacle containing the body is transferred to the cremation chamber.
4. The residual metal is recycled after incineration, and the bones are processed to a size that will fit in the urn.
5. The "ashes" are placed in an urn selected by the family.

Answers to Key Queries About the Cremation Procedure.

1. How is positive identification of the deceased achieved prior to cremation, and what precautions are taken to ensure that it is your beloved?

Following the death of a loved one, our team of professionals will bring them back to the funeral home from the place of death, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nights, weekends and holidays. Unlike other firms, we do NOT use an answering service. During this process, an identification bracelet is placed with your loved one. They will be brought into our care at the funeral home, washed, dressed and prepared for positive identification completed by the legal next of kin. They will be placed in the cremation container selected by the family and a private identification time will take place. Following the positive identification, a metal disc with a unique identification number is placed with the deceased and this stays with them through the cremation process and is placed with the cremated remains in the urn.

2. What is the procedure for preparing the body for the cremation?

Before being identified, the remains are bathed, shampooed and clothed in the deceased’s clothes provided by the family. Embalming may be needed if there is a public viewing or circumstances dictate we do so.

Pacemakers and similar items are removed prior to the cremation to avoid endangering the crematory operator. Metal recovered following the cremation process is taken to special recycling centers and proceeds are distributed to local charities.

3. What manner of cremation receptacle is used?

There are two types of containers that need to be selected prior to the cremation taking place. The first will shelter the remains prior to the cremation process and will be cremated with the deceased. The second is used to place the cremated remains following the cremation process. This is typically referred to as an urn.

4. What are cremated remains returned to the family in?

The ashes are placed in a specially designed bag for cremated remains after processing is complete. The bag is placed in an urn selected by the family. It is then taken in procession to a final resting place such as a cemetery, cremation niche, or cremation garden or released to the legal next of kin as indicated on the cremation authorization.

Please contact our cremation experts at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory for any specific questions you have about the cremation process. It is our privilege to help you make an informed decision on this sensitive matter.