McManus Funeral Home

How Does The Cremation Process Work?

Some people have difficulties understanding the cremation process. In fact, many people believe the process involves an open flame and the burning of the deceased body. However, these theories are myths. The cremation process is executed by funeral home staff with the utmost care and attention to detail.


Cremation is the process of reducing a body to ash by exposing it to very high temperatures. First, the family or next of kin must authorize the body to be cremated. The crematorium operator prepares the body and removes any jewelry, medical devices (i.e., pacemakers), prostheses, and implants. The corpse is placed in a container made of wood or heavy cardboard. The container is then placed into the crematory chamber, which is essentially a large furnace. The heat ignites the container, and the body begins to dry out. The temperature in the chamber can rise to about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. It usually takes 2 to 3 hours to cremate a body fully. What’s left is a coarse grey material that feels like fine gravel. On average, 3 to 9 pounds of ash is produced (Kim, 2018).


Cremation has been a part of the human death experience for a long time. If you would like to understand more about the cremation process, we invite you to read this section. We'll also look at cremation options that will help you with your decision.


4 Steps of a Cremation Service

The entire cremation process takes approximately three hours. Throughout the process of cremation, a carefully controlled labeling system ensures correct identification. We provide a temporary cremation urn with all of our direct cremations. A permanent urn can be purchased at the time of cremation or at a later date. Often cremated remains are left in a temporary urn for many months, as a family decides on the desired cremation ceremony. If you have questions about our direct cremation service, just want more information on our steps of cremation, or would like to discuss the reasons behind the cremation ceremony, please contact us.

The container encasing the human remains is placed in the cremation chamber, where the temperature is raised to approximately 1400 degrees to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. 

After about 2 hours, almost all of the organic matter is consumed by heat or evaporation. Bone fragments are what is left over.

After a cooling period, these are carefully removed from the cremation chamber. Any metal is removed with a magnet and later disposed of in an approved manner.

The cremated remains are then processed into fine particles and are placed in a temporary container provided by the crematory or placed in an urn purchased by the family. 

A Short History of Cremation

According to Wikipedia, cremation dates back at least 20,000 years ago in Australia, while in Europe, there is evidence of cremation dating to around 2,000 B.C. Cremation was common in Ancient Greece and Rome, and it remains a standard practice in India. The practice of cremation faded in Europe by the fifth century and during the Middle Ages, it was primarily used in the punishment of heretics or in response to the fear of contagious diseases. Today, cremation is preferred by more and more people around the world.

The Flame Cremation Process

Traditional cremation is the process of reducing a body at very high temperatures until it is nothing but brittle, calcified bones. These are then processed into what we commonly call ashes. Returned to the family in a temporary urn (or a more personal urn selected by the family), these ashes can be kept, buried, or scattered. Some families even choose to place a loved one's cremated remains in a hand-crafted piece of cremation art.


Author Michelle Kim, in How Cremation Works, details the cremation process: "In modern crematories, the body is stored in a cool, temperature-controlled room until it's approved for cremation. The body is prepared by removing pacemakers, prostheses, and silicone implants. The body is then put into a container or casket made out of flammable materials such as plywood, pine or cardboard."


The container is placed in the retort or cremating chamber. It takes anywhere from two to three hours to reduce an average adult to ash. When the cremated remains are cooled, they are processed to a uniformly-sized pebble-like substance and placed in an urn. The funeral director then returns the cremated remains to the family.

Cremation Costs

Cremation typically costs one-third of the cost of a traditional burial. While it's true that cost is a big factor for many families, it's important to remember that cremation is only one part of providing meaningful end-of-life care for a loved one. Coming to terms with the death of a loved one is important and can be achieved with a memorial service. Bringing family and friends together provides everyone with the opportunity to share memories and receive support.

Spend Time with Us

Sit down with us to discuss your cremation options. We appreciate the opportunity to share our insights and experience to fully support you in making end-of-life decisions for you and your family. Call us to schedule an appointment or drop by our office.
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