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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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drudgewithagrudge · 31/05/2018 15:14

I have seen friends and family in their coffins at the funeral directors and they were wearing clothes. Given that most clothes are made of man made fibres, would they be allowed to be cremated in them or are they undressed at the undertaker's before cremation?
If this is so, what happens to their clothes ?

KittenBeast · 31/05/2018 15:13

Does the body have to be in a coffin? Can it just go as it is?

LoislovesStewie · 31/05/2018 15:12

I don't want to ask a question but would like to thank you for being so respectful to the deceased. I'm sure you have given many people such comfort at a difficult time. Thank you.

ReggaetonLente · 31/05/2018 15:12

Thank you Kermit that means so much.

nozzel · 31/05/2018 15:11

My lovely DF died in February this year I currently have his ashes in my sideboard as my DD who is 4 is fascinated by them. I could not believe either how heavy they were, I expected them to be lighter. This is an enlightening read, thanks OP.

Irksomeness · 31/05/2018 15:09

Xpost pebbles ....

Pebbles789 · 31/05/2018 15:09

My friend is adamant that he doesn't want an actual funeral service, and would rather his family spend the money they would otherwise have spent on a service, funeral flowers and cars on themselves.
He says he's looked into being cremated directly and believes its less expensive to be cremated in the mornings. Is he right would you know OP?

Irksomeness · 31/05/2018 15:09

Interesting thread.

OP, Our family all want direct to crematorium funerals. With no extras at all. Basically the body to get taken away and that’s that. We don’t care at all about what the body is wearing or coffins or ashes or anything. Is this common and what do you think of it.

We would have a family and friends get together to grieve/celebrate/ remember whoever it was who died but it would have nothing to do with the body. Iyswim

Vitalogy · 31/05/2018 15:08

The precious metal value will be used by someone. Would help to know what it is recycled into.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:08

@ReggaetonLente I can 100% assure you that the person who cremated your dad treated him with the absolute respect that he deserved. Sorry for your loss

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Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:06

@CatOwned ashes are predominately calcified bones.

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ReggaetonLente · 31/05/2018 15:06

I always say Cheerio and wish them well when charging a cremator.

Oh god that’s just set me off. We’ve just cremated my much loved dad after losing him unexpectedly and much too young. It’s lovely you say that to people.

MrsMotherHen · 31/05/2018 15:06

Great thread it's nice to see how much respect goes into your line of work!

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

@Stillme1 also with regards to that coffin I'm not sure. Maybe someone ordered the wrong size and put him in there anyway. Coffins don't have to be snug but that is a funeral directors question so can't give an accurate answer.

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Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:03

@Stillme1 after an hour or so the coffin has completely burnt away and that is when we would start to check how the cremation is going. When first charged all you can see is orange flame and noting else. I have raked out before and had a book still intact after cremation. We think it was a bible that had very tightly packed pages and years ago funeral directors used to use bibles as pillows for deceased. A paperback would be fine I should imagine

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CatOwned · 31/05/2018 15:03

At least in my corner of the world, coffins are cremated, too. A botanist told me that most of the ashes are actually from the burnt wood. Do you think this is possible?

bilbodog · 31/05/2018 14:59

Very interesting thread - thank you. To those asking about animal ashes surely you wait until you receive the human ashes and then mix them together? No need to cremate your pet twice.

Stillme1 · 31/05/2018 14:58

Kermit -I am so impressed with the things you have said on this this thread. I hope there was someone like you dealing with my family cremations. Thank you for your dedication and respect.
A family member had written a book and a copy was placed in the coffin along with letters etc. I don't know which crematorium you are in but the Funeral Directors told us that the book would be fine and that they make a careful note of everything which goes in the coffin. Do other crems have different rules?
Another question which may seem strange. I read above that you can see the skeleton in the cremator, but you do not open coffins. A person known to me was cremated and when the coffin arrived I thought it was a strange size compared to the shape of the deceased. The deceased was tall and slim, the coffin was certainly long but it was also deep. Would it be likely that a slim person would have a coffin which would look more suitable for a much heavier person? It has been something that I have worried about because no one saw the deceased die or visit them at the FD.

Thank you again for all that you do. I am so grateful that you say Cheerio to everyone.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 14:57

@SomeDyke I've read about it and it sounds very interesting but not sure about going down the drain and whether this would be 100% safe. There does need to be another way of disposing bodies in the future as everyone knows fossil fuels are not going to last forever.

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Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 14:54

@Vitalogy I'm it sure what you mean? The gold/silver is unrecognisable when it comes out of a cremator and get put in with all the hip joints/knees and any other metal that comes out of the cremator.

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Vitalogy · 31/05/2018 14:52

Yes, but who keeps the value?

TimeIhadaNameChange · 31/05/2018 14:50

ILove - thank you. I think I'm going to have to make a will and make sure this is stipulated.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 14:50

@Vitalogy they are sent for recycling.

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Vitalogy · 31/05/2018 14:49

What happens to all the precious metal that family don't request to be returned?

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 14:49

@Topseyt I've never really had to deal with pet ashes but I would say not allowed but can be mixed/scattered with your ashes.

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