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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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yellowmellw · 31/05/2018 13:59

@ILoveKermit what do you mean separately? I just had a miscarriage and so I want to know what will happen with the remains at cremation please

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 13:58

@yellowmellw we do NVF (non viable fetuses) separately

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KingLooieCatz · 31/05/2018 13:57

Just coming on to say my uncle was cremated a few weeks ago and the crematorium staff were brilliant. My cousin asked people to e-mail her their favourite memories of her dad. Apparently she just forwarded the lot to the crem and the lady that took the service spoke as if she'd known my uncle all his life. Uncle was a terminal alcoholic in the end but they managed to give him such a great send off.

missnevermind · 31/05/2018 13:56

When my mothers ashes were returned to us we were also given a signed certificate / card with 2 identical numbered stones in a presentation case, one of which was scorched and had burn marks.
That was in europe not in this country. Do you do something similar?

FriendlyOcelot · 31/05/2018 13:56

Has there ever been an accident or a malfunction of the cremator which has meant the process has been bodged?

shinycat · 31/05/2018 13:56

THANK you, not thanks you. DOH!

shinycat · 31/05/2018 13:55

Thanks you OP!

Can't think of anything atm, but will post if I do!

FriendlyOcelot · 31/05/2018 13:55

Thanks Kermit. What a job!

yellowmellw · 31/05/2018 13:54

Do you have to wear breathing apparatus or anything when cleaning it out and do you get covered in ash

speakout · 31/05/2018 13:54

Do the brasses get sold back to the funeral home?

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 13:53

@yellowmellw no smell as it's all contained within the cremator which is slightly pressurised.

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Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 13:53

@KurriKurri contact the Crematorium and they will tell you as every site is different.

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BarbaraOcumbungles · 31/05/2018 13:52

I used to live opposite Chelmsford Crem and my car and window cils were always covered in a light covering of ash. Is that normal?

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 13:52

@FriendlyOcelot the rules are - the cremation is finished when the last flicker of orange flame has been extinguished. We have a spy hole to check how the cremation is doing.

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yellowmellw · 31/05/2018 13:51

People who have lost pregnancy's early on in my hospital send all the baby's to cremation at some point obviously they all go together as they are so small.

Do you deal with this also and if so are they all in a coffin or are they put in some container of some sort

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 13:50

@SmittenApril I choose cremation any day. Don't want to be worm food!

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yellowmellw · 31/05/2018 13:50

What does it smell like

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 13:49

@LifeBeginsAtGin the gold would melt certainly but I'm sure about a diamond. I've never had to look for one or deal with one but if I ever do I'll get back to you.

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KurriKurri · 31/05/2018 13:48

I'm not sure if this question comes into the remit of your job, and it's probably a daft one - but I'll ask anyway Grin

When people's ashes are interred in the crematorium grounds and the family have a rememberance plaque put up, can family members then visit as you can a graveyard and lay flowers etc? Can you visit the grounds of a crematorium at any time ?

(I would like to do this where my father and brother's ashes are interred, I've never visited the place because never felt the need but now I;d like too, juts not sur of the etiquette)

FriendlyOcelot · 31/05/2018 13:47

Fascinating thread Kermit.

You mention that some take longer than others. How do you know when the cremation is over? Do you have to keep checking?

SmittenApril · 31/05/2018 13:46

I hope it's not to personal a question...

Will you choose cremation or burial for yourself/family?

LifeBeginsAtGin · 31/05/2018 13:45

Thanks Kermit - so say your my MIL who wears a £5k diamond ring would it just melt (do diamonds melt)

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 13:45

@ItsAllGoingToBeFine do you mean in the same cremator? If so, no we are only allowed to cremate 1 coffin in the cremator at one time. Sites that have more than one cremator they try to charge both coffins into separate cremators at the same time so they cremate together but not in the same cremator IYSWIM

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BubbleBlowingBaby · 31/05/2018 13:44

Goodness.....this would be my dream job! There's something so selfless about helping people at the very end of life.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 13:43

@LifeBeginsAtGin rings/Gold/silver melts and solidifies as little balls which go into the recycling with the rest of the metal unless you have asked for metal to be returned to you.

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