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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.

OP posts:
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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
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.

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.

OP posts:
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!

OP posts:
Atetoomanyjaffacakes · 31/05/2018 17:34

Amazing thread thank you so much Kermit

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

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/

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.

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

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!

EdWinchester · 31/05/2018 18:05

Really interesting thread - thanks.

I think it's a shame that coffins can't be hired for a cremation, with some sort of robust liner inside to be cremated. Apart from the huge cost of them, almost all 'wooden' cofffins are merely thin veneers on chipboard. The chipboard is treated with formaldehyde which is then released into the atmosphere when burnt.

There should be an ethical alternative.

HulaMelody · 31/05/2018 18:08

This thread is fascinating, thank you OP.

My baby girl was cremated and, while our area was part of the inquiry and legislation around the handling (and mishandling) of babies’ ashes I am comforted to know that she was treated with the utmost dignity and if she was cremated at the same time as other babies, they wouldn’t be alone and the ashes were all scattered at the same place within the crematorium grounds.

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 31/05/2018 18:17

This is a really fascinating thread! I have nothing to ask, any questions I may have thought of have already been answered. It seems like a really morbid thing to say but I love threads like this, about death and what happens after you die.

DamsonGin · 31/05/2018 18:25

Can coffins be painted? As in decorated? Would it be an issue with chemicals released, depending on the type of paint used?

snozzlemaid · 31/05/2018 18:27

Another one who would like to thank you Kermit both for this thread and also for looking after us at the end with such compassion.
We cremated my Nan last week and I will admit we had discussed some of these things as a family; not knowing exactly what happens.
This has been a very interesting and reassuring read.

snozzlemaid · 31/05/2018 18:28

This definitely needs to go to Classics so it doesn't get lost. I think it would be a lot of help for grieving families to read in the future.

CookPassBabtridge · 31/05/2018 18:30

Why do frail old people take longer to cremate? My dad was really thin when he died and I always imagined he'd be in and out!

crunchymint · 31/05/2018 18:33

EdWinchester You can rent coffins in the US. But in Britain funeral costs are very uncompetitive.

waterlego6064 · 31/05/2018 18:41

Damson, I don’t know anything about types of paint, but a friend of mine painted her dad’s cardboard coffin, at his request, so I assume some types of decoration on a cardboard coffin would be permitted.

Kermit, thank you for this fascinating and reassuring thread. Your ‘Cheerio’ gave me a lump in my throat, as my dad always said it, and I hope that someone said it to him before he went in the cremator.

I was amazed at how many ashes there were from my mum’s body. She was a very petite woman all her life, and very small by the end as she had stomach cancer. I think she was 5 stone or so. Couldn’t believe there was so much ash from someone so small 😕

crunchymint · 31/05/2018 18:44

I helped to decorate a relative's cardboard coffin with felt tips, and that was cremated.

DamsonGin · 31/05/2018 19:04

I do like the idea of a decorated cardboard coffin, a nice sturdy one, though I guess you could do the same with unvarnished pine.

UtterlyDesperate · 31/05/2018 19:07

Kermit thanks so much for this thread Flowers

SnugglySnerd · 31/05/2018 19:12

What a fascinating thread. Thank you.

milliememum · 31/05/2018 19:19

Thankyou so much for this thread, my man was cremated 4 weeks ago and I now have some understanding of the process and gives me comfort that she was looked afterThanks