According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the 2024 cremation rate is projected to be 61.9% and is expected to reach 82.1% by 2045. This is because cremation is flexible, environmentally friendly, and more economical than a traditional burial. It also gives you the option to keep the remains of your loved one in the house.

But how does the cremation process work? Understanding the process will help you know why cremation is much better than the conventional burial. You will also have peace of mind knowing your loved one was given a thoughtful and dignified rest.

Have you been wondering if cremation is the best alternative for giving your loved one a send-off? Here is a detailed guide on the cremation process to help you start planning confidently.

Legal Documentation and Permissions

The next step is ensuring all legal requirements are met. This prevents potential issues that may subject you to unplanned legal expenses. The certificates needed at this stage are:

• A signed death certificate to serve as an official record of the passing of a loved one
• Cremation authorization form signed by next of kin
• Additional permits as outlined by your state or local regulations.

When signing the form, the next of kin can choose the cremation process they prefer. For instance, they can choose green cremation or water cremation.

They should also indicate the type of container for the cremated remains and the person who will pick them up. Once all the above requirements are met, the crematory will schedule the cremation.

Honoring Traditions: Last Rites and Rituals

At this stage, family members can incorporate their religious and traditional beliefs. Most funeral homes are sensitive to such practices and offer the support needed to honor the deceased. Some of the last rituals performed at this stage include:

• Wake or viewing
• Religious ceremonies such as funerals for Christians and Antyesti for Hindus

Once this is done, the body is then placed into a rigid, sealed container ready for cremation.

The Cremation Process

The cremation process occurs inside a designated chamber known as a retort. This chamber is designed to cremate the body at extremely high temperatures while ensuring safety and efficiency. Its mechanized door prevents heat loss during the process.

Modern furnaces are computerized and automated, making the process efficient and error-proof. During the cremation process, there are no smells since the gases released are discharged using an exhaust system. Here is a detailed look at the cremation steps:

• The furnace is preheated, and then the body is transferred to the retort using a specialized platform
• The body is then gradually heated up to 300°F to evaporate any remaining fluids and organic materials within the body
• After the drying phase is completed, temperatures within the retort are raised to between 1400°F and 1800°F
• This intense heating cremates the body completely, reducing it to bone fragments
• Throughout the entire process, oxygen is supplied systematically to facilitate complete combustion

The cremation process is monitored and controlled by experienced experts. The cremation can take a couple of hours. The time taken depends on factors like:

• The body’s weight
• Temperature
• Equipment used
• Type of container used.

For safety reasons, family members cannot be present during cremation.

Processing of Ashes

After the cremation cycle, the remains are left to cool down before being handled. Once cooled, they are then processed as follows:

• The cremation professional then transfers bone fragments to the cremulator, which crushes them into fine ash.
• Any remaining metal fragments are removed using a powerful magnet and disposed of following regulations for medical waste disposal.
• The cremation professional then screens the final bone ash to allow for further breaking of any large-sided residuals.
• The processed ash remains are then transferred into a temporary container.

Returning the Ashes

Once the ashes are put in a temporary container, which could be plastic or cardboard, they are returned to the family. At this point, the family then decides what to do with the ashes. Some disposition options the family can explore include:

• Burying them
• Scattering them in a place special to the deceased or the family
• Keeping them in an urn for a home display
• Interring them in a mausoleum
• Converting them to a diamond

But before deciding what to do with the ashes, it’s important to check state and federal regulations to avoid breaking the law.

How Much Does a Cremation Cost

According to Forbes, the average cost of cremation with a funeral service in the U.S  is $6,970. However, the price can be higher depending on:

• The provider you choose
• Region
• Additional services, like urns

However, there are costs common to every cremation process. Such direct costs include:

• Expenses for transporting the body to funeral homes
• Costs for completing the required paperwork
• Storage costs for the period between death and cremation
• Cremation fee

To be sure of the total cost to expect, ask the crematorium to give you a detailed list of Fort Worth cremation services and their costs. You can decline the services if they don’t match your budget and expectations.

Types of Cremation

Understanding the various types of cremation helps you choose the right package for you and your family. Cremation comes in various types, which include:

• Direct cremation
• Memorial cremation
• Traditional cremation

The cremation process for all of them is the same. What varies is the price and the option for a funeral service.

Direct Cremation

This is the most popular and cheapest method. It’s also called simple cremation since, after death, the body is cremated with no funeral or ceremony. This helps reduce the cost of embalming, expensive caskets, and cremation planning.

Families only pay for the transportation cost and cremation fee. However, this type of cremation leaves friends and family feeling as if they didn’t have a chance to say goodbye.

This can make the grieving and healing process difficult. But this is the best option if keeping costs down is most important.

Traditional Cremation

This is the typical type of cremation people think of when the word cremation is mentioned. It involves a funeral service followed by a cremation process. After death, the body is taken to a funeral home, where it’s embalmed and dressed.

This ensures the body is ready for viewing. Once the visitation is done, the body is taken to a crematorium for cremation. The costs of a traditional cremation are higher than those of direct cremation due to preparation and hosting expenses.

Memorial Cremation

For both traditional and memorial cremation, a funeral service is held. The main difference is that in a memorial cremation, the ceremony is held after cremation. Families usually receive the remains in an urn to be displayed at the event.

The cost of memorial cremation is less than that of a traditional cremation. This is because the costs associated with embalming and dressing are eliminated. However, families still bear the charges of the ceremony.

How Long Must You Wait Between Death and Cremation?

There is no apparent answer on the cremation timeline. However, the time between death and cremation depends on your state. In most cases, the wait period is between 24 and 48 hours.

This waiting period allows authorization and other legal processes to be completed. In some instances, the wait period can be more than 48 hours, especially where the cause of death is in doubt. The county might also take more time before issuing a death certificate.

Why You Should Choose Cremation

Now that you understand how the cremation process works, below are reasons why it’s the best option:

• It’s environmentally friendly
• It’s cost-effective
• It’s convenient
• Offer flexible service options
• You will have the chance to be with your loved one all the times

Understand Today: How Does the Cremation Process Work?

May be you’ve been wondering, “How does the cremation process work?” With the above guide, you got all the information you need. Because of benefits like flexibility and cost-effectiveness, cremation is gaining popularity.

Are you looking for reliable cremation services that will allow you to give your loved one a meaningful send-off in Dallas, Fort Worth? At Lone Star Cremation, We’ve got you covered.

We offer an affordable, convenient, and practical approach to arranging cremation services. Contact us today to book an appointment.