crematoriums

A crematorium is a facility where human remains are cremated after death. The core equipment is the cremation chamber, or retort, where the body is exposed to high temperatures to reduce it to bone fragments. These fragments are later processed into a fine powder known as cremains. Many facilities also provide chapels, viewing rooms, and urn storage for memorialization.

The cremation process typically begins with identification and verification of the remains. The body is placed in a combustible container, often a casket or sturdy alternate container, which is then placed into the cremation chamber. The chamber is heated to roughly 800 to 1000 degrees Celsius, and the process lasts about 60 to 120 minutes depending on body mass and equipment. After cremation, the remaining bone fragments are allowed to cool, processed in a cremulator to a uniform powder, weighed, and placed in an urn or other container. Family members may receive a certificate of cremation and are guided on the disposition of the cremains.

Facilities and operations may vary, but crematories typically use devices designed to maximize efficiency and minimize emissions. Non-combustible components such as dental metals and implants are removed and may be recovered for recycling or disposal. Emissions are controlled with filtration systems and other environmental controls to reduce pollutants.

Regulation and cultural context: Cremation is subject to health, safety, and environmental regulations in each jurisdiction, including licensing and operator training. Cultural and religious practices influence attitudes toward cremation, with widespread use in some traditions (for example, Hinduism and Buddhism) and burial-focused practices in others. Some regions offer alternatives such as alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation), which uses a different method to reduce remains, and which is available in limited areas.