Crematorium
Crematorium
A crematorium is a facility where a person who has died is cremated. A crematorium contains one or more cremators, together with the equipment, spaces and facilities needed to safely carry out cremations and manage the resulting cremated remains.
The place, not the process. A crematorium is the building or facility where cremation takes place. Cremation is the process itself, while the Cremator is the equipment in which the cremation occurs.
More than a cremator. A crematorium may include a chapel or ceremony space, waiting areas, offices, preparation areas, refrigeration or storage, cremation equipment and areas for processing and securely holding cremated remains. Not every crematorium provides all of these facilities.
A funeral can take place there. Some crematoria provide spaces where a Funeral can be held before the cremation. In this situation, the coffin or casket may be present during the ceremony and then transferred from the ceremony space to the cremator. A family may also choose a funeral at another location, such as a church, followed by transport of the person to the crematorium for cremation.
Attendance is not always possible. A crematorium may offer attended cremation as part of a funeral, but a Direct Cremation takes place without family or friends being present at the cremation. The availability of attended cremation, ceremony spaces and other services depends on the particular crematorium.
Public or private. Crematoria may be operated by local councils, private companies, cemeteries or other organisations. Their facilities, services, fees and requirements can therefore vary.
The cremated remains. Following cremation, the cremated remains are processed and placed into a suitable container before being returned to the family or otherwise dealt with according to their wishes.
A crematorium is therefore the facility where cremation takes place, and may also provide a place for families to hold a funeral or ceremony as part of the cremation process.