Have you ever wondered if cremation reduces a human or animal body to its basic elements through burning? This increasingly popular choice for those seeking an inexpensive alternative to traditional burial methods is one of the most commonly asked questions about the process. In this article, we will uncover what happens during cremation and provide comprehensive insight into whether or not bones burn.
How does Cremation work?
To address the question do bones burn during cremation, it is essential to be familiar with the fundamentals of cremation. This procedure involves placing a body in an exclusively designed furnace known as a cremation chamber. Generally built from highly resistant materials that can withstand temperatures up to 1800 Fahrenheit, the chamber will expose the deceased for one to three hours while breaking down their remains into basics – water vapor, carbon dioxide and minerals.
Under the intense heat of a cremation chamber, the soft tissue begins to disintegrate and vaporize. This is what generates smoke and steam which can sometimes be observed during this process. As soon as all of the soft tissue evaporates away, only bones remain intact – although they too will somewhat break down into smaller particles once exposed to extreme temperatures.
After the cremation procedure is complete, what remains are typically gray fragments including ashes from the cremation container used and bone particles. The bones themselves will not burn during the process; in fact, if left undisturbed, there will be an entire skeleton left behind after a cremation. Then those bones are swept out and machinery is used to break them down into smaller components that can fit easily inside an urn or other storage vessel.
It is important to recognize that, during cremation, not all bones are reduced equally. Bones like the skull and femurs may remain more intact due to their size and density; this is why it’s imperative to have a mindful funeral professional at the helm of the processing unit. You should never receive an urn back with any metal or large chunks of bone. If you do, contact your local state funeral and cemetery board and file a complaint.
Age and wellbeing are two primary aspects that affect the cremation process, as older individuals and those with medical issues may have more fragile bones. Nonetheless, the full procedure is designed to effectively reduce all skeletal remains into small fragments regardless of age or health status.
If bones don’t entirely burn during cremation, what happens to them?
Crematories use a “cremulator” or processor to break the bone down into the ash that you’re used to seeing. This process involves placing the bones into a machine with rotating blades that grind them down into a powder-like consistency. It simplifies scattering and storing these delicate particles, as well as guarantees all bones have been completely made uniform. Terramation uses a similar process for breaking down bones, but then reintroduces it to the process making is so there is virtually no bone left at all.
Before you make a decision on your desired disposition, it is vital to contemplate your personal values, preferences and financial circumstances. Knowing that cremation isn’t the option for everyone, there are several choices open such as conventional burial services, human composting, natural burials and sea burial ceremonies. To guarantee all arrangements are done with consideration and assistance from start to finish in this difficult time, working closely with an experienced funeral provider is strongly recommended who can assist throughout the process.
To sum up the answer to the question “do bones burn during cremation?”, bones are not actually set alight during cremation; nonetheless, they are broken down into smaller particles to form the ashes after the cremation is complete. They can be kept or scattered in different ways. If you’re thinking about choosing this process either for yourself or someone close to your heart, it is vital that you research your options carefully and team up with an esteemed funeral provider who will lead you throughout the procedure. Remember: not all providers are created equal, and you often get what you pay for.
