Cremations

Cremation is a method of final disposition of a deceased person in which the body is reduced to bone fragments through high-temperature combustion in a cremation chamber, also called a retort. The remaining material, often reduced to a powdery form, is commonly referred to as cremated remains or, colloquially, ashes. Cremation is chosen for various reasons including tradition, cost, and personal preference.

Before cremation, authorities typically verify the death and obtain required authorization from next of kin or legally appointed representatives. The body is prepared and placed in a combustible container, sometimes a temporary casket. The cremation chamber is heated to temperatures usually between 760 and 1,000 degrees Celsius. The process lasts from one to several hours, depending on body size and equipment.

After cremation, the remaining bone fragments are allowed to cool, then processed into a uniform granular consistency by a cremulator. The resulting cremated remains are placed in an urn or other container and returned to the family or disposed of under applicable laws. Disposition options include keeping the urn, interment in a cemetery, scattering in a designated area, or keeping at home with permission.

Cremation practices vary widely by culture, religion, and region. Some faiths permit cremation and have specific rites, while others discourage or prohibit it. In many countries, cremation rose in popularity in the 20th century due to urbanization, crematory capacity, and space constraints for burials.

Legal and environmental aspects include regulation of crematories by health, safety, and environmental agencies, emission controls, and handling of dental amalgam mercury. Innovations such as alkaline hydrolysis (resomation) are used in some jurisdictions as an alternative. Costs are typically lower than traditional burial but vary by service level, location, and ancillary items such as urns.