The Cremation Process Explained — What Actually Happens
For Canadian families choosing cremation, knowing what actually happens during the process is often reassuring. The technology is well-established, the process is dignified, and the result is exactly what families expect — cremated remains returned for memorial or final disposition.
The cremation process step by step
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Body preparation. The body is placed in a cremation container — typically cardboard, basic wood, or a 'cremation casket' (simple wood without ornamentation). Family-provided clothing remains on the body in most cases.
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Pre-cremation checks. Pacemakers and similar electronic devices are removed (would explode at cremation temperatures). Other surgical implants (hip replacements, plates, screws) remain — they will be removed from the remains afterward.
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Loading the cremator. The container plus body is loaded into the cremation chamber (called a 'retort'). One body per cycle in Canadian commercial practice.
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The cremation cycle. Approximately 2-3 hours at 760-980°C (1400-1800°F). Soft tissue reduces to gas and vapour, exhausted through filtered chimney. Bone fragments remain.
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Cooling. The chamber and remains cool for 30-60 minutes after the cycle.
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Bone removal. Cremation operator removes the bone fragments and any surviving metal implants. Metal implants are typically recycled separately.
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Cremulator processing. Bone fragments are processed through a cremulator (specialised grinder) into a fine powder. This is what families receive.
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Transfer to container. Powder is transferred to a temporary container or family-provided urn. Weight typically 4-7 pounds; volume approximately 200 cubic inches.
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Return to family. Family receives the ashes — typically 1-7 days after cremation depending on funeral provider scheduling.
What about clothing and personal items?
Standard practice — clothing and small personal items remain on/with the body. They are consumed in the cremation. Some families include meaningful items (a letter, a small photo, a small piece of jewellery that they understand will not be returned). Larger or non-combustible items (electronics, jewellery the family wants to keep) should be removed before cremation.
Witnessing the cremation
Most Canadian crematoriums permit family attendance at specific moments:
- Family may view the body before cremation
- Family may witness the body entering the cremation chamber
- Family may participate in symbolic moments (pressing the start button — common in Hindu and some Buddhist traditions)
- Family does not typically attend during the actual cremation cycle (no purpose; lengthy)
- Family returns for the ashes
Different families want different levels of involvement. Discuss with the cremation provider.
What ends up as ashes
The 'ashes' are not technically ashes — they're processed bone fragments. The soft tissue is gone (vaporized during the cremation cycle). What remains is calcium phosphate (the mineral content of bone) processed to a fine powder. Sterile (high temperatures eliminate any pathogens). Slightly alkaline.
What we focus on at It's Simple Will
The Funeral Pre-Planner captures cremation preferences including any specific elements (witnessing requests, items to include, urn type preference).
Related guides
Citations & sources
- [1]Cremation Association of North America — Cremation Association of North America
- [2]Funeral Service Association of Canada — Funeral Service Association of Canada
Frequently asked questions
How long does cremation take?
The actual cremation cycle is typically 2-3 hours at temperature. Plus processing time afterward (cooling, removing bone fragments, processing through cremulator, transferring to container) totals roughly 4-6 hours from start to finished ashes. Family typically receives ashes 1-7 days after the cremation, depending on the funeral provider's scheduling.
What temperature?
Approximately 760-980°C (1400-1800°F) depending on the specific cremator and operating practice. High enough to reduce soft tissue completely; bone fragments remain and require further processing.
What happens to the casket?
The cremation container (cardboard or basic wood, NOT an expensive casket) goes into the cremator with the body and is consumed. Some families choose to use a 'cremation casket' (basic wood designed for cremation) for a viewing before cremation; others use rental caskets where only an interior insert is cremated.
What about dental fillings, hip replacements, pacemakers?
Pacemakers MUST be removed before cremation (they can explode at high temperature). Other surgical implants (hip replacements, knee replacements, plates) survive cremation and are removed from the remains afterward. Dental amalgam fillings are vaporized. Most cremation providers recycle removed metal implants.
How much do the ashes weigh?
4-7 pounds (1.8-3.2 kg) for an average adult; smaller for children. Volume approximately 200 cubic inches (3.3 litres) — fits in a standard adult urn. Larger or smaller body size affects the amount somewhat but not proportionally.
Can family witness the cremation?
Often yes. Most Canadian crematoriums allow family attendance at the cremation chamber, including witnessing the body entering the cremator. Some traditions (Hindu specifically) often include this as part of the funeral rite. The actual cremation cycle proceeds without family present; family may return for the ashes later.