Crematorium Technician here

[CodLiverOil556]

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.

Thank you so much for this fascinating thread. I've learnt so much.

And thank you for you kindness towards those in your care and for your patience in answering the questions.

@FoxtrotSkarloey if they were to go through our cremulator (machine used to ground bones to ash) then it would most certainly break and it's a very expensive piece of machinery. They go off to be recycled or returned to family whichever has been requested.

What happens If the deceased has no family and no one claims them? Do they just sit on a shelf/get stored or do they get buried or scattered by the authorities?

@FoxtrotSkarloey everything goes into the cremator after cremation is finished everything raked into a hole when it has cooled we remove the big pieces and the rest goes in the cremulator.

Foxtrot - it's surgical joints that are removed, so anyone who has has a hip replacement or similar, those are the items removed. Bones are indeed cremulated if I've understood PP and OP correctly.

@serendipitintea if the deceased has no family then the ashes are scattered quick quickly it's when you have families that can't decide that the ashes tend to hang around.

Thank you ILoveKermit and thankyou MNHQ for moving this thread to Classics.

Thanks OP. It's nice to know people aren't left in a box on a shelf forever

@serendipitintea I think with the poor guy left on the shelf is family couldn't decide then starting dying off themselves so he was forgotten about. We scattered him and said a few words.

I'm imagining the cremulator like a big coffee grinder. I get that the cremator is raked out but how do you make sure no bits remain in the cremulator to contaminate someone else's ashes?

@thecapitalsunited the drum is like a bit funnel so gravity is used and also we are extremely careful with sweeping ashes up if any are dropped/spilt.

Thanks, Kermit!

I'm a big believer in not making death a taboo subject but there aren't that many people out there who know these kinds of things. It's really lovely that you're putting so much time into this thread.

Xx

I must admit I didn't quite expect this many questions! I'm really glad I've managed to unveil some myths and even help people decide which way they want to go.

Have you ever had to cremate someone who has done horrendous crimes- how does that make you feel?

@Excitedforxmas I've not cremated any famous or infamous people. I believe there are cremators used for this purpose but don't know enough about it to say

Have you ever had/heard of a case of someone stealing something from the deceased (partner's question not mine!)

Yet another person thanking you for this thread. I can only hope my parents were looked after by someone like you at the very end.

You have answered so many questions and put many people’s mind at rest, my mum died and was cremated 4 yrs ago your thread weirdly has given me comfort, I suppose I buried my head it the sand as to what actually happened but now I know there are people like yourself I am so grateful. Thankyou you won’t realise how this has been so very important to a lot of people. X

After nursing my husband through cancer I personally conducted his funeral service for a few close family members then followed his coffin down to the cremator where I watched the coffin being placed inside. The flames ignited and the door slowly closed giving me the opportunity to say a final goodbye before rejoining my family.
It seemed the most natural thing to do and I was treated with great respect by the staff. I believe it gave me closure.

@esspee, that sounds a beautiful way to say goodbye, I didn’t know it was possible, so sorry for your loss

@Pebbles59 no I haven't. Everyone who works in the funeral trade are extremely trustworthy

Place marking too! My OH helps a lot of families after death, and conducts funerals. Even my children seem to be fascinated by death and cremation, and willingly attend funerals.