Cremation is a popular alternative to burying a deceased friend or family member. Unlike traditional burial, the process of cremation can be hard to visualize because it involves specific steps.
Having a strong grasp on how cremation works can help ease the minds of the people involved in the decision-making process after a friend or family members death.
The basic idea is that cremation works to reduce the material of a human body to its basic elements; often using a cremated remains processor.
The Deceased is Identified
The first step of the cremation process includes the proper and lawful identification of the remains. This generally means that a family member must confirm the identity of the deceased before the cremation begins.
Then, an identification tag, usually metal, will be placed on the body. This tag stays with the body through the cremation process and is placed with the remains among completion.
Authorization is Obtained
After the identification of the deceased, the family of the deceased must authorize the cremation.
Reputable crematories follow very specific guidelines to ensure that they have permission and that everything is properly handled. The authorization usually involves paperwork drawn up by the state.
Preparation for Cremation
The deceased must next be prepared for cremation. The body is bathed and cleaned, then dressed in appropriate clothing. The body does not go through the embalming process unless the family has requested a public viewing.
Then the jewelry is removed along with medical devices that use batteries. This is done to prevent a chemical or electrical reaction during the cremation process. Medical devices that include pacemakers or mechanical prosthetics can then be recycled and reused.
Implant Recycling
The electronic implants that are taken from bodies before cremation can help save lives in the future. A good example of this can be seen in the organization My Heart to Your Heart.
This organization works to recycle pacemakers and defibrillators so that fewer lives are lost due to the inability to afford the machinery.
World Medical Relief is another organization that works to facilitate the recycling and redistribution of medical implants to help those who cannot access or afford new ones. This recycling process is beneficial because the families of the deceased can feel as though their loved ones can still help save lives.
Cremation
The body is ten cremated in a high-temperature oven that usually reaches around 2000 degrees. The furnace is fueled by natural gas, diesel, or propane.
The body evaporates at this heat, and calcified bones and metals from the body are left behind. The metals are drawn out using extraction or a large magnet and can often be recycled which will be discussed below. The bone shards are then processed using a cremation remains processor.
Metal Recycling
The money made from recycling the medical implants never goes to the crematorium. The profit is usually donated to local charities or the families of the deceased.
Recycling implants is much better than disposing of metals in a landfill. Not only does the recycling process help the environment, but it can also help save other lives.
If families wish to extract gold teeth or other dental material, they must contact a dentist as the crematoriums are usually unable to do these procedures. A product called the Maximizer Program is a great way to encourage crematoriums to recycle metal.
The Maximizer is given away for free and processes the remains in a way that pulverizes the bone into ash while using a magnet to separate out the metal.
It makes less noise than the tradition cremation remains processor and includes lifetime maintenance and parts. The Maximizer also leaves less metal behind in the ashes than the tradition processors.
After Cremation
After the cremation and recycling process occur, the ashes are placed in a plastic bag inside an urn chosen by the family.
The ashes are then returned to the family who, if the Maximizer cremation remains processor is used, receives metal free ashes and knows that they have not only made a positive contribution to the environment but also possibly helped others in need.