Everything You Need to Know: The Complete Guide to Cremation

Although we live in a world with more consumer choices about everything, there are basically only two options for disposition when we die: burial or cremation. For decades, Americans preferred traditional burial in a casket or an above-ground mausoleum. Today, 60 percent of Americans choose cremation services, a trend that could reach 75 percent by 2038, according to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA). 

Yet, despite its popularity, many people have questions about cremation. Some folks have concerns that it will conflict with their religious beliefs. As a collective of end-of-life care providers across the country, the funeral professionals at Afterall created this comprehensive guide about the cremation process, prepaid cremation arrangements, memorial services, and other frequently asked questions people have about cremation services with the hope of making the process easier to understand for families. 

What Is Cremation?

Cremation is a method of disposition that involves reducing a deceased body to its essential elements, most often through the application of high heat. The cremation process produces ashes, which can be handled in various ways according to the wishes of the individual or their family. Cremation is an alternative to traditional burial and has been practiced for thousands of years in multiple cultures worldwide.

What Are the Steps in the Cremation Process?

Some initial preparations in the cremation process are similar to those for traditional burials. Cremation or funeral home providers carefully collect and transport the deceased to the funeral home, coroner, or crematory, depending on the circumstance. If there is no need for an autopsy or other delays, family members or staff often wash and dress the deceased following their religious, spiritual, and cultural beliefs. Since cremation tends to take place within a few days of passing, embalming usually isn’t required. 

Step 1: Verifying Identification 

Funeral directors collect all personal information and get the cause of death approved by medical professionals. They follow meticulous tagging procedures throughout every step to ensure the correct identity. A fire-resistant metal tag accompanies the individual to prevent any mix-ups.

Step 2: Preparing the Individual 

Embalmers or funeral directors remove surgical implants, including prosthetic limbs and pacemakers, to prevent complications and damage. They carefully place the decedent into a rigid, combustible cremation container. Although families may rent or purchase a casket if they want a viewing before cremation, buying a casket solely for cremation is not required. The temporary container may be made of wood, cardboard, or plywood.

Family members may wish to include particular items with their loved ones, provided they are in the approved guidelines and categories. These might consist of dried flowers, letters, or prayer cards. Not all materials are safe for cremation. Leather, synthetic fibers, batteries, and glass may combust or release toxic gasses during cremation. Your cremation provider can help you determine if the item is safe to include.

Step 3: Entering the Cremation Chamber

Certified crematory operators place the container onto a conveyor belt. The belt slowly transports the container into a preheated cremation chamber, also known as a retort. A common misconception is that cremation directly uses flames, but that is not the case. The individual is not directly exposed to the flames. Some crematoriums allow families to witness their loved ones in these final moments before the cremation begins. 

Step 4: Performing the Cremation 

The retort reaches temperatures between 1,400 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The high heat breaks down the body into bone fragments and ashes within two to three hours. Gasses escape in a second chamber.

Step 5: Refining the Ashes

After cooling, crematory technicians remove impurities and refine the ashes into a fine powder using a cremulator. Cremated ashes are a whitish-gray color with a uniform consistency. Strong magnets are used to make sure no metals are present.

Step 6: Returning the Ashes

Crematory staff transfers the ashes to a container of your choice. Families can choose from a variety of options for final disposition, including burial, scattering, or keeping the ashes in a permanent cremation urn. Your cremation provider will return the remains in a temporary container, but it is not intended for long-term, secure storage.

What Are the Types of Cremation?

The most common form of cremation is flame-based, which uses intense heat to reduce the body to ashes. Flame-based cremations take place in a special chamber called a retort. A retort is a specialized furnace used in the cremation process. It is designed with high-heat capabilities to ensure the efficient and respectful cremation of human remains. Modern retorts are built with advanced technology to meet environmental standards, often featuring automated controls for safety and precision. The process is carried out with the utmost care and respect, honoring the deceased and their loved ones.

Water cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis, is an alternative to traditional cremation. This method uses water and alkaline chemicals to break down the body. Emerging methods are being developed as potential alternatives to traditional cremation. Resomation, similar to alkaline hydrolysis, uses a water-based process, while Promession involves freeze-drying the body before it is reduced to ashes.

Water cremation is not legal in all states, and some religions have objections to its use.

How Long Between Death and Cremation? 

The time between death and cremation is typically brief, but several factors can lengthen the timeline: 

• Lack of Prearrangements — Individuals without a prepaid cremation plan or who did not indicate whether they wanted cremation or burial 
• Legal Procedures — Obtaining permits for cremation and filing for death certificates
• Family Decisions — Coordinating funeral arrangements and gathering family members can cause delays
• Autopsy/Medical Examination — Required autopsies or medical examiner approvals 
• Religious and Cultural Practices — Certain practices may require specific waiting periods
• Crematory Scheduling — Availability of the crematory and scheduling around holidays or weekends
• Preparations — Time needed for body preparation and transportation
• Mandatory Waiting Periods — Some jurisdictions have compulsory waiting periods 

What Are the Legal Requirements and Regulations for Cremation?

Cremation is an irreversible decision that should be thoughtfully considered when the deceased did not specify cremation or burial. For that and other reasons, there are legal requirements and regulations for cremation, which can vary by country, state, and county. Laws and regulations were written to prevent disputes and misunderstandings among the deceased's family members and ensure that all parties involved followed a consistent and respectful process.

Rights of the Deceased and Family

Cremation laws have been written to uphold the dignity of the deceased and protect the rights of the next of kin. They ensure respectful handling and disposal of remains and protect consumers from unscrupulous funeral providers. Before cremation can proceed, the funeral home or cremation provider must complete specific permits and paperwork. This typically includes a death certificate, a cremation authorization form signed by the next of kin, and any other documentation required by local authorities.

Public Health and Safety

Cremation and burial involve procedures that, if not correctly managed, could pose risks to public health and safety. For instance, improper handling or disposal of human remains can lead to the spread of disease. While cremated remains are not toxic, their emotional weight is immense, so there are rules and regulations about where they can be placed. Crematoriums must follow environmental regulations to curb carbon emissions and avoid the release of harmful pollutants into the air.

Record Keeping and Data Collection

Cremation laws require death certificates and documentation essential for legal matters and public health data. These laws also help manage land use for burial, particularly in growing population areas. 

What Are the Religious Perspectives on Cremation?

While cremation is widely accepted now in the United States, some religions prohibit the practice and prefer their followers to select burial.  

Others see cremation services as acceptable but have specific guidelines regarding where ashes may be interred. 

Below are general views on the acceptance of cremation by several major religions. As there can be a range of beliefs and opinions, consider consulting a religious official to gain a deeper understanding of the traditions within a faith. 

• Catholicism — Catholicism traditionally avoided cremation, viewing it as a pagan practice that showed a lack of faith. However, the church has relaxed its views on cremation, although recent guidelines say remains should not be scattered but kept in a “sacred place,” like a cemetery. 
• Christianity — Opinions vary in the many Christian denominations. Methodists, Baptists, and Episcopalians are generally accepting. Other denominations, like Presbyterians, have historically preferred traditional burial, but there are a range of opinions within this and other Protestant faiths, and acceptance is growing.
• Judaism — Jewish law frowns upon cremation and encourages followers to choose traditional ground burial, but opinions differ within the religion’s main three branches. People who practice Orthodox or Conservative Judaism do not accept cremation as a method of disposition; those in the Reform branch often consider it. 
• Islam — Cremation is prohibited, and Muslims must choose burial. 
• Hinduism — Cremation is a common practice, aligning with beliefs about the soul's journey after death.
• Buddhism — Cremation is a traditional practice for Buddhists, and families often witness a loved one’s cremation. 

What Services Do Cremation Providers Offer?

Cremation providers offer a range of services to meet the needs of families. Cremation services and packages vary, but nearly all offer the following:

• Direct Cremation — With this simple, cost-effective option, the deceased is cremated shortly after death, without embalming, viewing, or a memorial service. 
• Cremation with Memorial Service — This option combines cremation with a memorial service to honor the deceased. The service can occur before or after the cremation, providing flexibility in planning and allowing family and friends to gather and pay their respects.
• Full-Service Cremation — This option mirrors the traditional, complete burial process, with embalming, a viewing, and a formal funeral service, but it culminates in cremation instead of burial.

Cremation providers often provide a wide range of “a la carte” options from which you can choose, including:

• Onsite or offsite event planning, including themed life celebrations that honor an individual’s beliefs, hobbies, or passions
• Brief identification viewing (which typically does not require embalming) 
• Rental casket for viewing or visitation 
• Cremation urns are made of different materials designed for permanent display, burial, or scattering.
• Scattering services
• Online obituaries 
• Death certificates
• Memorial programs, cards, and guest books
• Memorial and sympathy gifts 
• Cremation jewelry 
• Additional transportation services 
• Flower arrangements for the memorial service or viewing
• Memorial video tributes
• Memory tables or displays with photos, mementos, and other items
• Certified celebrant to coordinate and host the service
• Hiring musicians or arranging specific music for the memorial service
• Overseeing and organizing caterers for memorial services

Remember that you have a right to choose the services and goods that are meaningful to you and your family.

How Much Does Cremation Cost?

The most affordable cremation option is usually “direct cremation,” which is a cremation that happens “directly” before any celebration, memorial, or funeral. Some families prefer cremation combined with a memorial. This is called “traditional cremation” since it follows many traditional elements for casket burial. The biggest difference is the cost:

• The national median price for a direct cremation is $2,645 but can vary depending on the funeral provider and the region. 
• A full-service traditional cremation is about $6,000 on average. 
• A traditional burial with viewing is about $7,800 on average, not including the gravesite. 
• Add-ons, such as embalming, caskets for viewing, and other optional items, add to the final cost. 

Are There Financial Assistance Programs to Pay for Cremation?

Although cremation is often more affordable than burial, with direct cremation costing the least, many families struggle with finances. Here are payment options and tips for pursuing financial assistance to offset cremation costs:

• Prepaid Plans — Arrangements purchased before passing that are generally all-inclusive and require no additional payment.
• Life Insurance — Life insurance policies are a common way to pay for cremation, although it takes time to receive the payout.
• Savings Accounts—Some families set aside funds for end-of-life expenses, while others use their personal savings. These can be set up as “payable upon death” accounts.
• Financing Options — Credit cards, personal loans, or payment plans can help manage costs.
• Government Assistance — Families may be eligible for assistance from the Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and aid earmarked for Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and other indigenous people.
• Nonprofits and Charitable Organizations — Local charities, the Funeral Consumers Alliance, and others may provide financial assistance. 

Crowdfunding — Online platforms like GoFundMe can help raise funds from family, friends, and the community.

• Religious Organizations — Some religious groups can help cover the cost of cremation. 

How Do Prepaid Cremation Plans Work?

Prepaid cremation plans allow individuals to arrange and pay for their cremation in advance, protecting loved ones from this financial burden. These plans typically include all services and products selected and ensure the person's wishes are honored.

A prearrangement advisor guides individuals through the process, often asking them questions like:

• Who do you want to make decisions on your behalf?
• What kind of memorial service do you want, if any?
• What do you want your loved ones to do with your ashes?
• Do you wish to prepay in full or over time? 

What Are the Options for Memorialization After Cremation?

Cremation memorialization offers flexibility. You can have a ceremony or service before or after the cremation. This allows loved ones the time and space to grieve and remember together. And there are no significant downsides to having plenty of time to plan a personalized memorial. 

There is no right or wrong way to remember a loved one. You may have a religious ceremony or an informal gathering at a meaningful place, like the beach or a park. When you opt for a cremation without a memorial service package, you can decide when, where, and how to honor someone special. 

• Traditional Memorial Service: A memorial service may be held at a funeral home, place of worship, or other location, either before cremation, which includes a viewing or after, with the ashes present. 
• Celebration of Life — Usually held after cremation, life celebrations are more personalized and informal. They might have a unique theme, such as guests invited to wear their loved one’s favorite team colors. 
• Interment Service — Held at a cemetery or cremation garden, this service occurs when the ashes are buried in the ground or placed in a columbarium (designed to hold cremated remains). 
• Scattering Ceremony — Families and friends gather to scatter ashes in places with special meaning to their loved ones. Some scattering ceremonies include music, readings, prayers, or sharing memories. Always check for permission or the necessary permit before you proceed. 
• Dedication Service—A ceremony in which family, friends, and, in some cases, the community gather to dedicate a tree, bench, plaque, or other tribute to an individual. 

Can You Have a Gravesite or Permanent Memorial After Cremation?

Cremation offers more options for a permanent resting place than burial. While caskets can either be buried below ground or interred in an above-ground mausoleum, there are many other ways to honor a loved one who has been cremated. 

There are many ways to create a permanent resting place after cremation:

• Columbarium Niche: A wall or structure with individual spaces to hold urns
• Cremation Garden: A dedicated garden area explicitly designed for burying urns.
• Traditional Burial Plot: A standard burial plot where the urn is buried in a smaller-sized vault
• Urn Burial in an Existing Grave: Placing the urn in a family member’s existing grave.
• Private Property Burial: Burying the urn on private property, subject to local regulations.
• Memorial Benches: Benches with compartments for storing urns.
• Scattering Gardens: Designated areas in a cemetery where ashes can be scattered, often with a memorial plaque.
• Mausoleum: A structure that houses urns in niches or small rooms.
• Memorial Reefs: Using ashes to help create marine habitats.
• Burial at Sea: Place an eco-friendly biodegradable urn in the sea or other body of water. 

What Other Options Are There for Displaying or Keeping Ashes?

Cremation memorials can be as elaborate as a private family estate within a cemetery or as simple as an urn displayed at home. You may even bury or inter a small amount of ashes, keep a tiny amount within a cremation pendant or bracelet, and scatter the rest in a loved one’s favorite place. 

Unique Ways to Memorialize Ashes

• Urns for Display: Decorative urns designed to be kept in the home.
• Scattering Tubes: Urns to make scattering ashes on land or from the air safer and more accessible.
• Cremation Jewelry: Jewelry that holds a small portion of the ashes.
• Cremation Tattoos: Tattoos that incorporate a small amount of the ashes into the ink.
• Fireworks: Mixing ashes into fireworks for a commemorative display.
• Space Launch: Sending a portion of the ashes into space.
• Parting Stone: Turning ashes into solidified stones for keeping or sharing
• Lab-Made Diamonds: Creating synthetic diamonds from the ashes.
• Scattering at Sea: Releasing ashes into the ocean with a biodegradable urn.
• Tree Memorials: Mixing ashes with soil to plant a tree or flower.
• Glass Art: Incorporating ashes into glass sculptures or keepsakes.
• Vinyl Records: Pressing ashes into a vinyl record that can be played.

What Is the Environmental Impact of Cremation?

Burial and cremation both impact our environment. Traditional flame-based cremation consumes significant energy and releases carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants. However, it does not require embalming or land, so it has a lesser impact in those two ways.

Eco-friendly cremation alternatives to flame-based cremation processes may reduce the environmental footprint. Alkaline hydrolysis uses less energy and produces fewer emissions compared to traditional cremation. However, the process consumes much water, requires harmful chemicals, and releases a liquid byproduct that contaminates groundwater without proper treatment. It is also not legal in all states, and some religions have not accepted the process.

What Happens to Unclaimed Ashes?

Sadly, not every individual’s ashes are collected for scattering, burial, interment, or home display. Funeral homes and cremation facilities have policies for unclaimed ashes. They strive to handle these remains with care. A funeral home will keep the ashes for a specified period while attempting to contact family members. If no one claims the ashes, facilities follow legal and ethical guidelines for final disposition, either burying them in a communal plot or scattering them in a designated area. Some funeral homes schedule scattering days to encourage families to finally find a permanent place for their loved ones.

How Old Is the Practice of Cremation?

The practice of cremation dates back to ancient times, with evidence suggesting it was used as early as the Stone Age in the Western World. The ancient Greeks and Romans were known to practice cremation, often viewing it as a way to honor the dead. In Hinduism, cremation has been a traditional practice for thousands of years, based on religious beliefs about the cycle of life and rebirth. For centuries, the indigenous people in North America performed sacred rituals culminating in cremation, believing it allowed the body to release the spirit. Over time, cremation has evolved and become more accepted in different parts of the world, influenced by cultural, religious, and practical considerations.

In 1876, Dr. Julius LeMoyne built the first known crematory in Washington, Pennsylvania. Today, there are approximately 10,000 cremation providers nationwide, reflecting a growing preference for cremation over burial. 

How Do You Know if Cremation Is the Right Choice?

Cremation offers a respectful and often more flexible alternative to traditional burial. It allows families to honor their loved ones meaningfully through memorial services and unique keepsakes. Understanding the cremation process, religious considerations, and memorialization options can help families make informed decisions that align with their values and preferences. 

Afterall is committed to helping individuals and families make informed choices that honor their loved ones and align with their values and preferences. We encourage you to connect with a local funeral home or cremation provider in your hometown. You may also browse our helpful resources to learn about cremation costs, memorial options, and permanent resting places.