Cremation Process and Equipment Overview
The cremation chamber, sometimes called an oven or a retort, operates between 1,400- and 1,800-degrees Fahrenheit. This high heat breaks down the body. The heat comes from natural gas or propane. Cremation takes three to four hours, with one to two hours for processing. It takes seven to ten days to return the ashes. Despite automation, an employee oversees cremation. The chamber is lined with fire-resistant bricks. It resembles a pizza oven. A container holds the body for cremation. Containers meet specifications for health and safety. The flame comes from outside the chamber. Temperatures reach about 1,800°F to break down the body. This ensures an efficient, respectful process. The remains are bone fragments, not ashes. Cremation is an alternative to burial. Remains may be buried, dispersed, or retained. Four decades ago under 5 percent of Americans cremated. Now nearly 50 percent do. This revolutionized memorial attitudes.