Cremations, including water cremation, are increasingly outpacing traditional burials. Factors such as shifting cultural attitudes, logistical considerations, environmental impacts, and financial concerns contribute to the trend. Social attitudes towards death and funerals are changing. There is a notable shift to intertwine celebration and grief, a move away from traditional gatherings mourning the loss of a loved one. Funeral professionals can improve their services by taking the initiative to provide relevant guidance on the basics of cremation.
Related: Cremation: The Facts
What are the basics of cremation?
Funeral professionals have the expertise to help individuals choose between cremation and burial. This knowledge also prepares loved ones with what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.
The fundamentals of cremation involve using intense heat to turn a body into primarily bones and ashes. Planning a cremation follows a similar routine as preparing for a traditional burial, such as identifying the body and issuing a death certificate. These steps are essential before obtaining a permit for cremation.
Following federal, state, and county regulations, the next of kin must complete and sign an authorization form or declaration regarding the disposition of the cremated remains. After meeting the necessary criteria, the county designated for the cremation will issue a cremation permit or disposition permit.
Crematories are authorized solely to cremate human remains and must not incinerate foreign objects. The removal of pacemakers, prostheses, and other medical or radioactive implants is necessary, along with personal items like jewellery, before delivering the remains to a crematory.
What happens during the standard cremation ceremony?
Although a coffin or casket is not essential for cremation, many states require the holding of the body in a rigid, combustible container, such as one constructed of cardboard or plywood.
Cremation starts with a button press. Some crematoriums allow loved ones to initiate this process. Cremation temperatures reach 1400 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. Transforming the body into bones and ashes takes approximately two to three hours. A coarse grey material with a texture like fine gravel remains. It typically weighs an average of four to nine pounds (1.8 – 4 kg), around 3.5% of a person’s body.
How long does it take to receive the ashes after cremation?
Generally, the entire cremation process, including paperwork, waiting period, and actual cremation, takes one to two weeks. After the cremation ceremony, the ashes are available for collection within approximately 24 to 48 hours.
The growing preference for cremation is partly due to the vast array of options for handling ashes. People can scatter them in various locations or transform them into memorial jewellery and other personal keepsakes. However, it is essential to note that regulations differ between states.
Alkaline hydrolysis and water cremation
An alternative modern method to traditional cremation is alkaline hydrolysis. This process is also known as aquamation or water cremation. The technology incorporates water, alkaline chemicals, heat, and occasionally pressure and agitation.
Lower fuel consumption produces a smaller carbon footprint than conventional cremation and burial practices. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a prominent supporter of climate change, reportedly requested water cremation as an eco-friendly alternative.
Although initially legalised in 2003 in Minnesota, alkaline hydrolysis was first used for commercial purposes in the funeral industry in 2011 in the states of Ohio and Florida. In 2010, CANA’s (Cremation Association of North America) Board of Directors broadened the association’s definition of cremation to encompass processes like water cremation.
Despite the wide use of alkaline hydrolysis for pet cremation, “alkaline hydrolysis is legal for commercial use in twenty states as of 2020.” (Victoria J. Haneman, ACTEC Law Journal, 6.1.2021). Only approximately 30 practitioners are available in legalized states due to the unique equipment and training involved.
Differences between water cremation and conventional flame cremation
From a consumer’s perspective, the results of water cremation are comparable to traditional cremation. However, there are notable differences to flame-based methods.
- The requirement to remove pacemakers and implants in conventional methods can remain in place in water-based cremations.
- Aquamation is considered a more environmentally friendly option. The process is gentler, and the required temperatures go from 199 to 302 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The actual cremation takes place over a prolonged period. “This process may take three to sixteen hours depending on equipment and body mass.” (CANA)
Where is standard and water cremation more popular than burial?
The NFDA’s 2023 Cremation and Burial Report indicates that cremation rates will rise to 60.5% in 2023, a significant increase from the 35.7% recorded 15 years earlier. Although predictions show the annual growth rate will slow, it is still forecasted to reach 81.4% by 2045.
The states leading the cremation rates are Nevada, Maine, and Oregon, while Utah, Louisiana, and Kentucky have the lowest percentages of cremations recorded. Cremations are more commonplace in cities than in rural areas. Japan has the highest cremation rate, at 99.97%, while Greece is at the opposite end of the scale, with 0.63%.
What are the state-to-state differences in the cremation process?
Each state and county can implement variations on federal laws. One key difference is the waiting period between death and cremation. For example, Illinois enforces a 24-hour waiting period, while Texas requires a 48-hour interval. In comparison, Minnesota stipulates a timeframe that cremation must occur within 72 hours if the body is not refrigerated. In MN, the body must be created within six days if it is.
Differences apply to who authorizes a cremation. In South Carolina, individuals can pre-authorize their cremation with a cremation authorization form specifying the final disposition of their remains. They may modify their wishes in writing to the funeral home. However, in New Jersey, a person cannot pre-authorize the final disposition of their remains.
Another factor affecting the basics of cremation, varying by state, is the requirement of a funeral director. While most states do not legally require the use of a commercial funeral home, ten states, including Connecticut and New York, impose such a necessity.
