More than ever, people are choosing cremation over a ‘traditional’ burial. Due to a number of factors including increasing land costs and reduced religious affiliation, over 75% of Australians are now taking this route, so let’s take a look at the question, what is cremation?
Step 1.
The crematorium receives the body by way of either the family, a funeral transfer service or funeral director. The PERMISSION TO CREMATE (Form 4) and CAUSE OF DEATH (Form 9) are given to the crematorium staff so that the cremation can be officially commenced.
Step 2.
If the PERMISSION TO CREMATE (Form 4) has any cremation risks noted (pacemaker etc..), they are removed and the deceased is entered into the queue.
Step 3.
Only one body can be cremated at a time. When that time comes, the coffin, casket or trundle is entered into the cremator. The cremator is a furnace chamber that fires the space to a temperature of over 900 degrees celcius and leaves only the heavy bone fragments of the deceased.
Step 4.
After the cremator has cooled, the remaining heavy bone fragments are transferred to a special crushing machine that creates the ashes. The ashes are placed in a special sealed capsule and labeled with details of the deceased, ready for collection or delivery to the person listed on the ASHES AUTHORITY form.
The process can take anywhere from 1.5 – 3 hours, however depending on a number of factors, the ashes may not be ready for 1-7 days.
Most modern caskets have an engraved name plate that stays with the body during the process, with a special place for it to go during each stage so that it is impossible to mix up the ashes. We provide the crematorium with a printed card with the name of the deceased for the same purpose.
One of the Rest Team will deliver your ashes or if necessary, will use a trusted courier service to ensure the ashes are returned safely.
If you have any questions about cremation or any part of the Rest service, feel free to send us a query through the special form on our FAQs page. As questions come in to use through this form, we will endeavour to update the FAQs page with the answers.
