Cremation Explained
Are you considering cremation as a disposition option but curious about what the whole process entails? It can be difficult to make a decision about something that you may not clearly understand or have questions about.
As more families consider cremation as a death-care alternative, we have put together this guide to explain everything you need to know about the cremation process.
The Funeral Home and/or crematory receiving the deceased
When the funeral home or crematory receives the deceased into their care, they will require the family to complete a Personal Details Form. This provides the funeral director with the vital statistics required to begin the death certificate application and enables the funeral home to provide shelter for the deceased with the correct ID information.
How the deceased’s identity is verified throughout the cremation process
All funeral homes and crematories adhere to strict guidelines and rules. This especially pertains to ensuring ID verification throughout the process.
When a body is received at a funeral home or crematory, it is imperative that a family member and an ID tag identify the body.
A metal tag is generated and remains with the body throughout the process. After the cremation, the metal ID tag is placed with the cremated remains.
Most funeral facilities use a project management system to track their cases and their current stage in the process. In some facilities, this may be as simple as a whiteboard and a case file system.
More modern facilities may use bespoke software systems to track and coordinate cases.
Preparing the body for cremation
The funeral home will remove any items, such as jewelry, that the family does not wish to be cremated. The deceased can be prepared in whatever clothes the family decides are appropriate, similar to a funeral preparation.
If the family wishes to hold a viewing prior to the cremation, the deceased will be prepared for the family to visit and say their last goodbyes. As a basic cremation container is used, some funeral homes offer rental caskets or a viewing bed if a viewing is held.
If the deceased had a pacemaker or other type of medical device, this would need to be removed to prevent it from exploding during the cremation process.
What is a ‘cremation container’?
A casket is not required for cremation, although some funeral homes offer a wooden casket. Instead, a standard reinforced cardboard box with a plywood base is often used to hold the body. This is called a ‘cremation container’ and burns easily during cremation.
Preparation of permits, authorization, and paperwork – the legal aspects of cremation
As I mentioned, strict legislation governs human cremation, including the submission of legal documents for processing. The immediate legal next of kin must sign a Cremation Authorization Form.
A cremation cannot proceed without this form. If there is more than one next-of-kin (for example, 2 or more siblings), then all siblings must sign the authorization form.
The funeral director will submit the death certificate to the county office using the data provided by the family on the Personal Details Form. If required, he or she will also request the Permit to cremate the deceased. Some counties require a permit for cremation and charge a fee, but this is not required in other counties.
The charge for the cremation permit varies significantly by county. Most charge between $10.00 and $60.00, but Wisconsin has some of the highest permit fees in the country, with Milwaukee County charging $357 for the coroner’s cremation release fee.
Because cremation is a final disposition, there is a mandatory legal wait period after death before a cremation can proceed. This period varies by state, ranging from 24 to 72 hours.
This means that even if the family has signed all required legal paperwork and a permit has been issued, the cremation cannot proceed until the mandatory period has expired.
Generally, it will take 2-3 days for all formalities to be completed before the cremation is scheduled.
During this time, the deceased is stored in a refrigerated storage unit, similar to how morgues store bodies, as embalming is not required for cremation.
It is always wise to ask upfront about any additional (hidden) charges for services beyond a basic cremation. These can be extra removal/transfer costs, residential collection, removal of medical implants, if the deceased weighs over 250 pounds, prolonged refrigerated storage, etc.
How does the cremation chamber or cremation retort operate?
A cremation chamber is also known as a cremation retort. It is an industrial-type furnace that can hold one body and incinerate it at high temperatures. There are many types of retorts, and today there are modern, highly efficient cremation machines that can be operated by computer and automated. Most are fueled by gas or propane.
The chamber has a door at one end, and the cremation container is loaded into the retort via the door. This is then sealed, and the cremation process begins. This can be done manually or automatically.
The chamber is constructed of fire-resistant bricks and specialized masonry that can withstand high temperatures, and it is generally housed in a stainless-steel casing. The temperature within the retort reaches between 1800 F and 2000 F.
The process takes around 2 hours to completely reduce the body to bones and ash. Some older cremation machines may take up to 3-1/2 hours to complete the cremation. Once a cremation retort reaches full heat, subsequent cremations can take less time.
Once the incineration process is complete, a tray containing the bone fragments and ashes is extracted for the next part. A cool-down period of approximately 30 – 60 minutes is required before the bones and ashes can be processed.
The cremation itself is not the largest component of a basic cremation service package. The retort process of reducing a body to cremated remains typically costs $200 to $400.
How are the cremation ashes processed?
The remaining bone fragments are then put into a processing unit, like a grinder. This unit pulverizes the bone fragments to a fine powder, known as the cremated remains or ashes, placed in the cremation urn.
The ID tag will remain with the body throughout the cremation process and will then be placed in the urn, ready to return the ashes to the family.
Who can conduct a cremation?
Most funeral homes and crematories employ crematory operators to operate their cremation machines and process cremation cases. Sometimes the funeral director may personally handle cases, but a trained crematory operative is versant in the specialized knowledge of safely operating a crematory and handling the deceased for cremation.
How long does it take from the funeral home receiving the deceased to the family receiving the cremated remains back?
However, there are cases where an expedited cremation may be required and can be facilitated if all permits and authorizations are in order, but it may incur an additional charge.
Likewise, I have seen cases that took 21-28 days (or longer) to process a cremation. This is typically where there is a discrepancy between the issuance of a permit and family consent for the authorization of cremation.
Other Frequently Asked Questions about Cremation
How long does it take for a body to be cremated?
It takes anywhere between 1 1/2 and 3/1/2 hours to cremate an adult body. The time of day the cremation is conducted (i.e., the retort needs to reach full heat to cremate faster) and the type of cremation machine can also affect the time.
Do you have clothes on when you are cremated?
Yes, the deceased is clothed when placed in the cremation container, and the clothes burn with the body.
Can other personal items be cremated with the deceased?
It is generally acceptable to place a small personal item in the cremation container with the deceased prior to cremation, so long as it is a combustible item, such as flowers or soft toys.
What happens to teeth during cremation?
Any teeth that do not burn during the process are ground down with bone fragments during the ashes’ processing. If the deceased had gold teeth, the family can decide whether to remove them before cremation.
Can an obese or overweight body be cremated?
Yes, many crematories offer bariatric cremations. Larger cremation retorts are required to hold and cremate a body over 600 pounds. Due to the increase in obesity, some crematories have replaced their standard retort doors with wider doors to be better able to fit a larger body through.
An obese body is likely to burn faster as it contains more fat, but it can be more dangerous to manage the retort and observe the incineration process. The handling of a body over 350 pounds requires additional equipment and a reinforced cremation container.
For these reasons, many crematories will charge a barometric cremation fee. This will be an additional $100-$400.
How much do cremated remains weigh?
On average, the cremated remains (often called “cremains”) of an adult typically weigh between 4 and 8 pounds (roughly 1.8 to 3.6 kg).
While it’s natural to assume total body weight is the deciding factor, the remains are actually composed almost entirely of bone fragments processed into a sand-like consistency. Muscle, fat, and soft tissue are essentially vaporized during the cremation process.
Common Weight Ranges
The final weight is primarily determined by skeletal mass and bone density rather than a person’s weight on a scale before they passed.
| Category | Average Weight Range |
| Adult Men | 6 – 8 lbs |
| Adult Women | 4 – 6 lbs |
| Children | 1 – 3 lbs |
| Infants | A few ounces to 1 lb |
Key Factors That Influence Weight
- Height and Frame: Taller individuals or those with larger skeletal structures typically have more bone mass, resulting in heavier remains.
- Biological Sex: Men generally have higher bone density and larger frames than women, which is why their remains often fall on the higher end of the scale.
- Bone Density: Conditions such as osteoporosis (which reduces bone mass) or age-related bone loss can result in lighter bones.
- The “3.5% Rule”: As a general estimate, cremated remains usually account for about 3% to 3.5% of the person’s original body weight.
A Note on Urn Size
If you are asking because you need to select an urn, the industry standard is actually based on volume (cubic inches) rather than weight.
The “rule of thumb” is 1 pound of body weight = 1 cubic inch of remains. For example, a person who weighs 200 lbs generally requires an urn with at least 200 cubic inches of capacity. Standard adult urns are usually designed to hold about 200–210 cubic inches to ensure a comfortable fit.
What happens to unclaimed cremated remains?
Not all families choose to collect cremated remains. Some families do not know what to do with the cremated remains. They may not want to inter the remains and do not want to keep them at home. Some have opted for cremation as a final disposition and do not want the remains.
So, unclaimed remains are becoming a growing concern for funeral homes, especially as the direct cremation rate grows.
Some cremation providers offer incremental scattering services as a simple add-on to a cremation package so that they can scatter remains in a scattering garden with the family’s consent. This alleviates the funeral home of the issue of storing remains indefinitely.
Some cremation providers are now adding clauses to their cremation service contracts to allow them to respectfully scatter ot inter any cremated remains not collected after 90 days have passed.
Cremated remains that remain unclaimed from indigent funerals are generally held for a period, and then the county authorities conduct a mass interment or scattering.
Cultural differences in the cremation process
Our cultural attitudes to cremation differ. The cremation rate is over 80% across Europe and in Japan. It is widely accepted that cremation is the preferred disposition. In some countries, this has been driven by a less faith-driven approach to death care and by available space for a body burial.
Cremation has been sacred in some cultures and religions for thousands of years. There is documented evidence of cremation practice among the early Phoenician and Persian cultures. But over time, this was replaced with mummification and burial.
In Hinduism, it is a tradition to cremate the deceased. Their concept of death as a transition to the next existence gives them a different perspective on the body. Other Indian religions, such as Sikhism and Jainism, also mandate cremation.
Some crematories that cater to faiths, like Hinduism, which has specific cremation rituals, will facilitate the ritual rites of cremation. For example, Hindus are required to begin the cremation and see the deceased enter the cremation chamber. A crematory may have a special viewing area with a control button, allowing a family member to observe the cremation container enter and the machine start. Where possible, they will help the family observe the funeral rites.
What does a cremation cost?
It is usually a good idea to compare cremation costs from several cremation service providers to determine the average cost you can expect to pay in your area. As we move into 2026, it is becoming apparent that cremation prices are increasing.
This is due to increased overhead costs for funeral homes and crematories, and rising gas prices. Through the DFS Memorials Cremation Network, we noted that approximately 40% of our affordable direct cremation service providers have increased their basic cremation charge by $50–$250 over the last 12 months.
Funeral business acquisitions also impact the cremation market, as larger groups acquire more funeral homes in an area and can then begin to ‘set’ the cremation price for that market. Now may be a good time to set up a Simple Cremation Plan and lock in a price.
If you wish to make cremation arrangements online without visiting a funeral home, read our guide to Online Cremation Arrangements and Preplanning a Cremation Online.
US Funerals Online Cremation Resources Section also has detailed guides to cremation costs by state – including California, Texas, New York, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Illinois.
Sara Marsden-Ille is a writer and researcher specialising in the death care industry. With more than 15 years covering end-of-life services, funeral trends, and consumer funeral planning, she writes for DFS Memorials and US Funerals Online to help families make informed decisions.
