Cremation involves the reduction of a body to its basic elements through intense heat.
Cremation professionals place the deceased in a cremation chamber, also known as a cremator or retort, where temperatures reach approximately 1400 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. This process typically takes a few hours, and the remains are then cooled and processed into a fine powder known as cremains.
Cremation allows for flexibility in funeral arrangements. Families can choose to hold a traditional funeral service before the cremation, where the body is present in a casket for viewing.
Alternatively, they can opt for a memorial service after the cremation, where the cremains are placed in an urn. Another option is direct cremation, where there is no formal service involved, and the cremains are given to the family afterward.
Once the cremation is complete, the family has various options for the disposition of the cremains. Some families choose to keep the urn at home or place it in a columbarium or mausoleum. Others may scatter the ashes in a meaningful location, such as a favorite spot of the deceased or a designated scattering garden.
In addition, cremation professionals can also personalize and customize the memorialization process. Families can choose an urn that reflects the personality or interests of their loved one, and they can also opt for unique ways to honor their memory, such as creating memorial jewelry or incorporating the ashes into a piece of artwork.
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