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Understanding The Cremation Process: What Happens At A Cremation?

It’s never easy saying farewell to a loved one and choosing the right funeral arrangement can be just as challenging. While there are a wide range of funeral services available, cremation has now overtaken burial as the preferred funeral arrangement in Australia.

Many families in Sydney are now choosing cremations to farewell their loved ones as it can relieve unnecessary burdens, pressures and expenses involved in a traditional full-service funeral. If you’re considering cremation but aren’t sure if it’s the right way to say goodbye, this article will help shed some light on the cremation process and help alleviate any concerns.

How Is A Body Prepared For A Cremation?

Before the cremation process begins, the deceased is carefully prepared by a trained professional. For a service held at a Memorial Park with people in attendance, this preparation typically involves thoroughly washing and cleaning the body, removing any medical devices (such as pacemakers) and personal items and dressing the body in suitable attire, as per the family’s wishes.

For a No Service, No Attendance service (or direct cremation) the preparation includes basic mortuary care. This consists of making sure any implanted devices are removed and any clothes present with the deceased are laid on them, or they are placed in a shroud.

If the service is an attended one, the body will be placed in a timber coffin, but for a ‘No Service No Attendance’ it is usually a simple eco coffin. Embalming is not a requirement for cremation unless there is an extended delay between your loved one’s passing and the cremation.

What Can You Put In A Coffin For Cremation?

Sometimes families choose to include sentimental items in their loved one’s coffin, such as flowers, plush toys or heartfelt messages. It is also common for families to request that the deceased be dressed in a cherished outfit for their cremation.

While most items can be placed in a coffin for cremation, glass and battery-operated devices, including phones, radios and pacemakers are not allowed as they become dangerous at high temperatures. In the case of treasured or valuable jewellery, it is better to keep the item, or pass it onto a family member who will cherish it. Jewellery, rings or watches left on the deceased will not be included in the ashes and cannot be recovered once the cremation process has started.

How Long Does Cremation Take?

The cremation process typically takes between two to three hours for an adult body to be cremated, including preparation and cooling. The time taken to complete a cremation will vary however, depending on the deceased person’s body mass, bone density and the type of coffin they are cremated in.

What Happens During The Cremation Process?

The coffin, containing the deceased, is carefully placed feet-first into a specially designed chamber known as a cremator. This chamber is an industrial furnace outfitted with fire-resistant bricks, which generate the heat necessary for cremation. At all times the identifying name plate stays with them to ensure that the loved one is tracked at all stages of the process.

During the cremation, the body is exposed to intense heat (800-1000 °C). The high temperatures reduce the body to bone fragments and ash. Any metallic elements, such as coffin nails, are separated and removed and the ashes are allowed to cool.

After cooling, larger particles are processed into a fine, sand-like texture, referred to as ‘ashes’. The ashes are then carefully collected and placed into a sealed container or urn, ready to return to friends or family.

How Long Does It Take To Get The Ashes After The Cremation?

After the cremation process is complete, the cremated remains are usually available for collection within a few days. The ashes are placed in a temporary container, or an urn chosen by the family. You can then decide how you would like to memorialise your loved one. Some families choose to scatter the ashes at a meaningful location and others choose to keep them in a decorative urn at home.

Compassionate Cremation Services In Sydney

At Timeless Funerals, we understand that no two cremations are ever the same. That’s why we offer a range of affordable cremation packages for you to choose from. Whatever your budget, you can create a personalised, meaningful farewell for your loved one.

We are completely transparent about our pricing options. We do not hide any of our fees and any optional extras can be added at your discretion. Our compassionate funeral directors are experienced in navigating you and your family through the cremation process, so you can take your time grieving knowing your loved one will be treated with the utmost care and dignity. To learn more about our cremation packages, visit our website or contact us today. Our experienced team will help you honour your loved one in a way that is meaningful to your family.