Are deceased persons cremated one at a time? What's the process?

CONTENT WARNING: this brief article contains details about the cremation process. Some of this content may be confronting.

Yes! Each deceased person must be placed in a coffin and cremated individually. The same is true of water cremations, however in those cases the coffin is not cremated.

The nameplate on the coffin is removed, and the coffin is then placed in a cremator pre-heated to 750ºC to 900ºC. Flame-based cremations lasts about one to two hours. Fluid-based cremations last around four to five hours.

After the cremation is complete, the remains are then processed in a device called a cremulator. This reduces the remains to 'ashes'. In the case of fluid-based cremation, the ashes are usually lighter in colour and look more like talcum powder.

Due to the high temperature of cremation, all microorganisms are destroyed, leaving the ashes inert. Thus, there are no public health risks associated with handling the ashes. The same is true in the case of water cremation.

The ashes are then packed into a plastic container, and the nameplate is kept with the ashes until the ashes are collected. The ashes are generally collected/disposed of in four main ways:

1. The Next of Kin, or authorised person can collect the ashes from the crematorium.

2. Another person can be authorised by the family to collect the ashes.

3. The Funeral Director can collect the ashes for you, and hold them for collection. If needed, the ashes can be securely posted to you. Evermore Funerals prefers to personally deliver the ashes to the family, provided they live within (or close to) Brisbane.

4. You can have the ashes placed in a memorial garden or columbarium at the crematorium.

5. You can also have the ashes disposed of by the crematorium.

Whichever method of collection or disposal you require, the family will need to authorise what is to happen with the ashes. This will require a document to be completed and signed by the deceased's Next of Kin or other authorised person.

If you have any further questions about the cremation process please feel free to contact us any time on 07 3544 6880.