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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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OyO · 31/05/2018 15:56

Dim question: you said you remove the nails - did you mean everyone’s nails? Or false nails?

If everyones - do the funeral directors do that or you guys?

TwitterQueen1 · 31/05/2018 15:56

Thanks Crumble this thread has helped me with that issue. And if OP is in anyway typical of crematorium staff I can rest easy and at peace.

TheDayDreamBeliever · 31/05/2018 15:54

What does cremulate mean?

Do you get a sense of a soul going or a soul staying behind?

Have you ever encountered anything weird?

Do cremators (people like yourself) have superstitions?

I saw a relative 4 days before they passed, to me it was like they had already gone soul wise possibly, as it wasn't the same person, very agitated. I was pretty pissed off it took the staff so long to get an obviously dying person onto the Liverpool Care Pathway.

HateSummer · 31/05/2018 15:53

Oh I see, that makes sense.

This is so interesting.

crunchymint · 31/05/2018 15:49

Why do funerals cost so much?

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:47

@HateSummer we don't sweep the cremator of ashes...we sweep it of bones then cremulate the bones into ashes.

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crumble2 · 31/05/2018 15:46

TQ My DH works for a funeral director. They quite often have private cremations where none of the family attend. It may be preceded with a church service and just the coffin goes onto the crematorium. It is a personal choice.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:46

@HateSummer I don't really know as all ashes weigh differently. If pushed I would say between half a stone and 10lbs I suppose.

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TodaysFishIsTroutALaCreme · 31/05/2018 15:45

If there are any funeral directors watching this, please can you start a thread on "what happens when people die" it would be nice to know what happens from point of death to when people like kermit take over.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:45

@MindBodyChocolate that's great that you see a cremator. A lot of people are fascinated by cremators and cremation. It is the tool so I can do my job but even I look inside sometimes and think wow

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HateSummer · 31/05/2018 15:43

Fascinating thread.

How much do an average adult’s ashes weigh? And (stupid question) do large/skinny/normal sized people all have on average the same weight ashes?

And how do you sweep all the ashes out, is there not any static in the cremator?

MindBodyChocolate · 31/05/2018 15:43

If anyone is in Bristol you can see the old cremator in Armos Vale cemetery- it’s in the basement of the cafe (!) It’s really fascinating. Oddly, I went there with ds when he was only 2 and didn’t say to him what it was (and a 2 yo would never guess) and he got a bit tearful and said it was a ‘sad place’ that he didn’t like. It’s certainly an unusual place to visit.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:42

@mrjoepike I've not heard of pyres happening in the uk and can't imagine ever being allowed due to the risks

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TodaysFishIsTroutALaCreme · 31/05/2018 15:42

That's what I am now thinking twitterqueen.

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 31/05/2018 15:42

I don't have a question I can think of yet, but this is, in a very odd way, one of the most uplifting threads I think I've ever read on here. It's giving so much comfort to people, as well as making us think more about the practicalities.

@ILoveKermit thank you so much for starting this - I really admire your respect for those you tend to. I might have cried a bit that you wish each of them well - no one but you would know you do it, but somehow it makes such a difference, to know that loved ones are looked after until they are fully gone.

RustyParker · 31/05/2018 15:41

*minimum amount of space between the deceased and coffin

mrjoepike · 31/05/2018 15:41

kermit--good post,you are helping many with it.
my fam has been cremated since the 1860s.recently there have been companies doing funeral pyres.
the pyre is a permenent concrete base,so no building one everytime.wood is used for the fire.pine/juniper.
my dad wanted a viking funeral so would have been very pleased.
just wondering what you think of this and is it happening in the uk?

TwitterQueen1 · 31/05/2018 15:40

Should I have said 'misplaced' ecological grounds?

RustyParker · 31/05/2018 15:40

@stillme1 - We questioned the size of my sister's coffin with the funeral director and they explained that there needs to be a minimum of space between the deceased and the coffin. Also, coffins come in standard sizes so to speak and aren't bespoke so it's all to do with the space required and whatever size coffin accomodates that.

Op - thank you for this thread.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:40

@Thesearmsofmine I get asked the very same questions on here or I get crass jokes!

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TwitterQueen1 · 31/05/2018 15:39

I don't have any preferences OP, so I'm keen to learn more. I would probably have gone for cardboard or wicker on ecological grounds. Can you get bamboo coffins? (There's enough bamboo in my garden if anyone wants to make one for me.)

Thesearmsofmine · 31/05/2018 15:38

Really interesting thread. How do people react when they find out what your job is?

TodaysFishIsTroutALaCreme · 31/05/2018 15:38

So in that case kermit it means wicker/cardboard is not environmentally friendly. Very interesting. Thank you

TheDayDreamBeliever · 31/05/2018 15:37

Aww Kermit the honour and I can't think of the words as I'm a sobbing wreck, but it's really moved me, as a relative that was cremated always spoke about burial. The dignity you show, is just so lovely, you are a really special person.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:37

@Spaghettijumper I have told my own children about death and dying and I answer their questions honestly. Being reminded of your own mortality every single day makes you reflect on your life and I try to live as if each day is my last.

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