Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mumsnet classics

Relive the funniest, most unforgettable threads. For a daily dose of Mumsnet’s best bits, sign up for Mumsnet's daily newsletter.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Proseccoagain · 31/05/2018 14:15

I was really surprised how heavy DH's ashes were. But then I thought, he was a big lad, over 6 ft and well built. They are in my wardrobe at the moment.

MNOverinvestor · 31/05/2018 14:15

placemarking (and in admiration...)

PenCobSwan · 31/05/2018 14:15

I guess there's some coffins lined up behind the scenes at the crem waiting for their turn in the cremator because the funeral is long finished and the mourners gone ? You can't go home until they are all done. Would that be correct ?

You must be reliant on the embalmer's art as there's no mortuary at the crem i.e. no way to keep the bodies in the coffins cool whilst they await their turn.

Crumbelina · 31/05/2018 14:13

This thread is going a bit better compared to when an estate agent posted and offered to answer questions. Grin

shinycat · 31/05/2018 14:13

Hope you don't mind me asking that? ^ Smile

shinycat · 31/05/2018 14:12

@ilovekermit

If a family are cremating a loved one, would it perhaps make more sense to advise them to not have a coffin with brass handles/ nameplates/ adornments etc (made of are plastic,) if they are not allowed in the cremator?

Maybe it would be a good idea to suggest to people that they have a wooden coffin/or a cardboard one like this.

Crematorium Technician here
Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 14:11

@Catcrazy008 I believe that some people never make it to the other side and hang around if I'm ever on my own when cremation I say hello to everyone

OP posts:
PenCobSwan · 31/05/2018 14:11

How do you make the fire in the cremator ? You said you use electricity, how does the body catch on fire ?

If it takes, say, around an hour on average for a standard sized adult to be cremated and there are 6 cremations per day, do you stay until late in the day to get all the bodies cremated ?

Does it take long for the ashes to cool ?

How long does it take for the cremator to cool down enough to get the next deceased in ? How do you get them in, like a baker uses a 'paddle' style utensil to put the bread in an old 'brick oven' ? (Sorry for being facetious but the question is real)

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 31/05/2018 14:11

What an interesting thread. Thank you OP.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 14:10

@PurpleStarInCashmereSky cancer tumors make a cremation last longer. Sometimes the very elderly/frail take a little while longer. You really can never tell

OP posts:
Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 14:09

@brizzledrizzle it's a very small portion of coffin as 99% of coffin burns away completely

OP posts:
yellowmellw · 31/05/2018 14:08

Thank you

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 14:08

@yellowmellw different places do different things. We don't do contact NVF funerals but the place I used to be at did and they cremated altogether then scattered ashes in the baby garden.

At my place we cremate each one separately then ashes are either returned to family or scattered in accordance with families wishes. Please contact your hospital/funeral director that dealt with your baby and they will be able to tell you and I'm sorry for your loss.

OP posts:
FriendlyOcelot · 31/05/2018 14:07

Thank you Kermit

Catcrazy008 · 31/05/2018 14:06

Do you believe in an after life of any sorts?
Have you ever had an eerie or creepy incident?

PurpleStarInCashmereSky · 31/05/2018 14:06

What factors make a body take longer to cremate?

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 14:04

@missnevermind I know in Germany they use ceramic discs but as far as I know we don't use these in uk.

OP posts:
Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 14:04

@FriendlyOcelot I've heard a pacemaker go off and it was a very large explosion but fortunately didn't damage the cremator. A power cut will switch the cremator off but the cremation will still happen but very slowly. We are NOT allowed to open the cremator door under any circumstance even if the Crematorium is burning to the ground.

OP posts:
Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 14:01

@yellowmellw we have to wear heat proof clothing and I wear a breathing mask when dealing with ashes.

OP posts:
speakout · 31/05/2018 14:01

So are the handles that are brass given back to the funeral home for re-sale?

HirplesWithHaggis · 31/05/2018 14:01

Thank you for your response, and for this thread. Fascinating indeed.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 14:00

@BarbaraOcumbungles depends on what filtration system they had.

OP posts:
brizzledrizzle · 31/05/2018 14:00

so when you receive the ashes of your relative you are actually getting a mix of coffin ashes and their ashes?

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 14:00

@speakout sorry that should have said brass handles are not allowed in the cremator

OP posts:
Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 13:59

@speakout all handles/nameplates/adornments are plastic and melt. They are not allowed in the cremator

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread