What is Cremation?

Cremation is an alternative to burial. It is a process that reduces a body and its container to ashes and small fragments. This process is done by applying intense heat. In ancient times, the method of cremation was placing the body on a pyre or in a boat and setting it on fire. In Western countries today, bodies to be cremated are placed in cardboard or wood containers and place in special designed furnaces called crematoriums. Embalming of a body prior to cremation is not necessary. It is against the law for a consumer to be told that the body must be embalmed first. In the United States, each state has regulations on how quickly a body can be cremated. Most states follow the "Model Cremation Law" designed by the Cremation Association of North America, which states that you must wait at least 48 hours to cremate a body.

What is the cremation process?

In the United States crematoriums require a death certificate and a signed "authority to cremate" document obtained from the next of kin. A casket or coffin is not required for the cremated process, however, the body must be in a container made of combustible material, such as a cardboard container. Most families want to attend the cremation process. It can be included as part of the religious services. Cremation takes from two to three hours at normal operating temperature between 1,500 degrees F to 2,000 degrees F for a normal adult. After the cremation, the ashes are swept with an electromagnet to remove any plates, orthopedic screws, or prostheses. If the family would like add a piece of jewelry, it is added to the urn after cremation. After cremation, bone fragments are processed in a machine to a consistent size. The final remains are given to the family in an urn or temporary container.

How popular is cremation?

Three-fourths of the world's countries allow cremation. Some countries like China and Sweden have a high percentage of cremation. Lapland, above the artic circle has the highest rate, it is generally thought this is because the ground is frozen 10 months out of the year. England and Japan have a 90% rate of cremation because cemetery space is at a premium. The Cremation Society shows the projected cremation rates for the U.S. and Canada on their site. Kenneth Iverson, MD, the author of Death to Dust, states that cremations in California, Florida, and New York are projected to rise dramatically by the year 2010.

How can you dispose of the ashes?

Cremated remains or "cremains" are usually scattered or placed in urns. Urns can be kept in the home or buried. Ashes can be scattered into lakes, streams, mountains, or the ocean. Laws vary state to state and some restrict the "private" scattering of remains. There are professional scatters that will scatter remains at sea. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard will also perform this service, if ship and personnel are available, for eligible retirees. Cremation.com gives information about the use of church memorialization of cremation remains. Some mausoleums, cemeteries, and churches have a columbarium. This is an assembly of niches designed to hold containers of cremated remains.

Why cremation?

In ancient times, many people cremated the dead because they were afraid of dead bodies. Today, however, the popularity of cremation has increased due to different reasons. Kenneth Iverson, MD suggests four reasons why cremation is growing popular in the United States: Cremation usually costs less than burial There is a decreased in cemetery space Modern cremation methods are quick, clean, and efficient More religions are open to the use of cremation than in the past In addition, some individuals feel that cremation reflects modern thinking of expressing the finality of death.

The costs of cremation can vary. We lists several sites that can demonstrate some of the prices throughout the Houston area. They include: