Are bodies clothed just prior to cremation?

[aceplace57]

I know bodies are prepared for viewing and the funeral. Hair, makeup, and clothing.

What about just prior to cremation? Are they still clothed?

I’d guess it’s really just adapting to people’s sensitives. If uncle Frank is prepared in his favorite suit then perhaps the family expects that he be cremated in it? On the other hand, there is no need for clothing at that point, and the clothing isn’t suitable for reuse anyhow.

I’ve never heard what the procedure is. What is the industry practice?

[Exapno_Mapcase]

Practices vary from place to place and time to time, and also to be in accordance with local regulations.

Here’s one answer:

Q: How does the deceased need to be dressed?

You can choose to dress your loved one in a gown or in their own clothing for their funeral. If you wish for them to wear their own clothing then clothes made from natural fibre such as cotton or wool should be chosen. We also ask that any footwear or miscellaneous items are removed from the coffin prior to the funeral due to cremation regulations.

Cremation can be in a casket or not, or in an alternative container, such as cardboard. Metal fragments, like buttons or rings, are normally removed, but can be be pulverized when the bone fragments are ground. Really, almost any variation you can think of can and has been done by somebody somewhere.

[aceplace57]

Natural fibers. Makes sense. Polyester and nylon wouldn’t burn as cleanly. Probably leave a sticky residue in the incinerator. Over time that could be a significant build up.

Thanks Exapno Mapcase.

[Melbourne]

So, out of curiosity, I go looking around. And I find that in Australia, crematoria are reporting the use of a “second chamber”, to get rid of the ashes “from the coffin”. Does anyone know if this is true, and if so, what it means?

I say “if it is true” because I am aware that some cremation chambers have an after-burner, which reburns the exhuast gas to make the exhaust cleaner, and it is possible that the people writing crematoria web sites, and just copying from each other, got is all wrong.

I’m also aware that some countries go for low-ash containers. I think that Australians may still be commonly using real wood…

[Ruffian]

Not likely in most cases. Rather gruesomely considering my father’s titanium steel rod-supported spine, foreign implants (those rods, pacemakers, artificial valves and presumably artificial joints) are removed prior to cremation.

There was no viewing–we had a memorial a few days after he was cremated.

[Exapno_Mapcase]

@Melbourne

So, out of curiosity, I go looking around. And I find that in Australia, crematoria are reporting the use of a “second chamber”, to get rid of the ashes “from the coffin”. Does anyone know if this is true, and if so, what it means?

I say “if it is true” because I am aware that some cremation chambers have an after-burner, which reburns the exhuast gas to make the exhaust cleaner, and it is possible that the people writing crematoria web sites, and just copying from each other, got is all wrong.

I’m also aware that some countries go for low-ash containers. I think that Australians may still be commonly using real wood…

The “ashes” that you receive after cremation should be entirely bone fragments, not carbon from plant products. A heavy wood coffin might both mix in and increase the weight. I can see using a process to separate out the actual ashes from the “ashes.” In fact, Wikipediasays:

The secondary chamber may be at the rear or above the primary chamber. A secondary burner(s) fires into this chamber, oxidizing any organic material which passes from the primary chamber. This acts as a method of pollution control to eliminate the emission of odors and smoke. The secondary chamber typically operates at a temperature greater than 900 °C (1650 °F).

An Australian firm says:

At the completion of this initial phase of the cremation process the remains are relocated to the second chamber to remove any ash from the coffin itself. Once this has been completed the remnants of the deceased are placed into a cooling tray. When cooled, metallic contents (such as prostheses, coffin nails etc) are removed, collected and interred within the grounds of the crematorium.