Planning Funerals for Young Children, Infants and Stillborns

Common Cremation Concerns That Funeral Directors Must Be Aware

9 September 2019 by Sophie Barnes

Unlike decades ago, cremation has increasingly become an acceptable way of laying loved ones to rest once they pass on. Therefore, as the funeral director of a funeral home, you can add cremation services to grow your clientele base. However, before you make the addition, it is vital to understand how the cremation process works to alleviate any concerns your clients might have. This article highlights some of the concerns people have concerning cremation.   

How Is the Body's Identity Verified?

Once a body is placed in a crematorium oven and cremated, identification is virtually impossible. As such, most loved ones get concerned about the possibility that a funeral home might cremate the wrong body. However, it usually does not happen if the cremation process is carried out by a professional using the right procedures. Therefore, before cremation can begin, the crematorium staff must verify the identity of the deceased. This is done by matching the nameplate on the coffin to the application for cremation document. The coroner's cremation permit can also be used in the identification process. With verification records, there is no chance that a funeral home might cremate the wrong body.   

Do Ashes Mix During Cremation?

Another common concern among clients with regard to cremation is the possibility of the ashes getting mixed with those of a previously cremated body. It is a concern that stems from the fact that the same cremator is used in the cremation process. Therefore, some clients strongly believe that ashes from a previous body can get mixed with their loved one's ashes. However, nothing could be further from the truth because the chamber on a cremator can only permit a single body at a time. That said, you must understand that no matter how thorough the crematorium operator is, a deceased person's ashes can get mixed with very minute amounts of ash from a previously cremated body. Such minuscule levels of ash mixing should not, however, cause much of a concern. 

How Long Does Cremation Last?

It is the work of a funeral director to tell loved ones precisely how long the cremation process lasts. The last thing you want is to preside over a process where the loved ones of the deceased do not know what is happening for hours on end. Ideally, the cremation process can last for two hours if the body is of average size. This is enough time for the body to be reduced to ashes. However, funeral directors should give at least 4 hours for the entire process, including verification of the body's identity.

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