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.

[CodLiverOil556]

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

[speakout]

Do the brasses get sold back to the funeral home?

[yellowmellw]

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

[FriendlyOcelot]

Thanks Kermit. What a job!

[shinycat]

Thanks you OP!

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

[shinycat]

THANK you, not thanks you. DOH!

[FriendlyOcelot]

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

[missnevermind]

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?

[KingLooieCatz]

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.

[CodLiverOil556]

@yellowmellw we do NVF (non viable fetuses) separately

[yellowmellw]

@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

[CodLiverOil556]

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

[CodLiverOil556]

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

[brizzledrizzle]

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

[CodLiverOil556]

@BarbaraOcumbungles depends on what filtration system they had.

[HirplesWithHaggis]

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

[speakout]

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

[CodLiverOil556]

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

[CodLiverOil556]

@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.

[CodLiverOil556]

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

[PurpleStarInCashmereSky]

What factors make a body take longer to cremate?

[Catcrazy008]

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

[FriendlyOcelot]

Thank you Kermit

[CodLiverOil556]

@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.

[yellowmellw]

Thank you