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Original poster

Crematorium Technician here

686 replies

CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 13:11

I see lots of threads about cremations and Crematoria. I'm currently a crem tech so please ask me questions and I will endeavor to answer them.

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GinGeum · 31/05/2018 18:02

Do you deal with the families yourself?

What is your daily routine on a normal day?

I really think I’d love this job!

Bugjune · 31/05/2018 17:59

I can only hope whoever is looking after my loved ones at the end is as caring and respectful as you, @ILoveKermit. Flowers

TheBlackMadonna · 31/05/2018 17:47

kermit thanks for that. Will be happy that I can go for most basic coffin with the rope handles.

Struckbylightning · 31/05/2018 17:43

What a wonderful thread, thank you. I have often thought that our culture has moved too far away from accepting death and we have lost touch. That is one of the reasons for the rise of the Death Cafe movement. A friend of mine recently started one in my home town. It’s just a way of bringing people together to talk about death and everything that surrounds it and trying to undo the taboos. Check out her Facebook page if you are interested. www.facebook.com/DeathCafeTaunton/

olderthanyouthink · 31/05/2018 17:37

Ok OP. I saw them as an ad on Facebook, I don't actually want/ know anyone who wants one. I quite like the idea of being a teaching skeleton

Atetoomanyjaffacakes · 31/05/2018 17:34

Amazing thread thank you so much Kermit

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 17:34

I'm so very glad that this thread has given some people comfort. I didn't start it to be thanked but the people that have thanked me I appreciate it...thank you.

I started this thread as I'm fed up with the drivel that some people come out with when talking about cremations/funeral. Some people really don't have a clue!

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Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 17:31

@olderthanyouthink not had the pleasure of one of those yet but just because they say suitable for cremation doesn't always mean they will be accepted at a Crematorium. Always best to check first.

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LaLaLongwhiskers · 31/05/2018 17:31

This is a fascinating thread Kermit - it's comforting to know our loved ones are so well looked after. The "cheerio" bit made me cry.

olderthanyouthink · 31/05/2018 17:29

Pointless/frivolous question: What do you think of these glitter coffins? (Apparently they a suitable for cremation and burial)

Crematorium Technician here
Crematorium Technician here
Crematorium Technician here
Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 17:29

@Kernowgal I'm very sorry to hear about your mum. Please be assured she will be looked after right til the very end.

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Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 17:28

@TheBlackMadonna I've done Jewish cremations and they turned up in a very simple wooden coffin with rope handles and a sticky white label for ID purposes. It seems that el cheapo is absolutely fine and is all we need as long as it's study and combustible

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FrogFairy · 31/05/2018 17:23

Thank you Kermit, I was too slow typing and had missed the transit van post. I suspect this would be my Dad’s exit of choice when the time comes.

Kernowgal · 31/05/2018 17:22

This is fascinating and quite comforting - thank you Kermit.

My mum passed away last Friday and asked to be cremated, so this thread is very timely and reassuring. I'm feeling a lot better about it having read through your responses. Flowers

TheBlackMadonna · 31/05/2018 17:22

Fascinating thread thank you.
I’m orthodox Jewish by birth but am an atheist and cultural Jew only. My brothers and I will be the first generation of our family to not have a Jewish burial and service. The thing I do like about Jewish burial traditions is a simple hardboard or pine coffin minus any metal parts for everyone regardless of wealth or status. Is a metal free preferably hardboard or el-cheapo wood ok for cremation.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 17:21

@ScreamingValenta you can do a prepaid plan whereby the funeral director complies with your wishes and when the time comes your family wouldn't even need to be involved

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KittenBeast · 31/05/2018 17:19

@Kermit, gosh, I always thought it was just dust. This has been a really interesting thread.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 17:19

@FrogFairy please see my post above about the diy funeral. As long as the forms are completed properly for example the doctors have signed where they should then there is no reason why joe public couldn't do it theirselves.

It would be worth seeing the hospital mortician to see if they would pop the deceased into a coffin as we couldn't accept anyone not in a coffin and the coffin would have to be of a sound, combustible nature.

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ScreamingValenta · 31/05/2018 17:17

Hi @ILoveKermit. Really interesting thread, thank you!

I have a question - If I do not want a funeral/expensive coffin/any kind of ceremony whatsoever, can I specify in my will that my body is to go straight to the cremator in a cardboard box or similar to be destroyed, with only the involvement of the technicians - no minister or family present etc?

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 17:16

@KittenBeast yes that is what we're looking for when a cremation is finished.

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FrogFairy · 31/05/2018 17:14

Yes, I have seen a couple of websites offering this but I meant for the family to do everything hands on themselves including delivering the body say in a van or estate car.

Logically I can think of many reasons why it is probably not a good idea but just curious if it would be permitted for Joe Public to book a cremation and bring the remains to you themselves.

I am torn between thinking nooooo, to thinking well, why not?

KittenBeast · 31/05/2018 17:12

@Kermit I know, and I really am sorry if my post seemed offensive, (that video made it seem like they didn't much care, didn't it?) but I was looking at the body itself after cremation does it much differ in the UK?

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 17:11

I have also done a DIY funeral whereby the family turned up with deceased in the back of a transit van(!) we took the deceased into our care cremated them and they collected the ashes the next day.

No need for funeral director, hearse or minister

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SadieHH · 31/05/2018 17:11

Such an interesting thread, thank you. I didn't realise that the ashes were really just bones and nothing else.