Einäscherungen

Einäscherungen, also known as cremation, is a process of reducing a dead body to its basic chemical components by burning. This method of disposition has been practiced for millennia across various cultures and religions. The primary purpose of einäscherungen is to transform the remains into ashes, which can then be handled in a number of ways, such as being placed in an urn, scattered, or interred.

The process typically takes place in a specialized facility called a crematorium, which is equipped with a high-temperature furnace called a retort. During the cremation, the body is placed in a combustible container, often made of wood or cardboard, and then introduced into the retort. The temperature inside the retort is raised to a very high level, usually between 700 and 1000 degrees Celsius (1300 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit). This intense heat causes the organic matter of the body to break down rapidly into gases and mineral ash.

Following the cremation, which can take several hours, the resulting bone fragments are cooled and then processed, often by a mechanical device called a cremulator, to reduce them to a fine, uniform ash. This ash, along with any small fragments of bone, is then collected and placed into an urn or other suitable container. The entire process is conducted with respect and dignity for the deceased. Einäscherungen is often chosen for its environmental considerations, perceived simplicity, and for families who wish to keep the remains closer.