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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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Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:06

@CatOwned ashes are predominately calcified bones.

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Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:08

@ReggaetonLente I can 100% assure you that the person who cremated your dad treated him with the absolute respect that he deserved. Sorry for your loss

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Vitalogy · 31/05/2018 15:08

The precious metal value will be used by someone. Would help to know what it is recycled into.

Irksomeness · 31/05/2018 15:09

Interesting thread.

OP, Our family all want direct to crematorium funerals. With no extras at all. Basically the body to get taken away and that’s that. We don’t care at all about what the body is wearing or coffins or ashes or anything. Is this common and what do you think of it.

We would have a family and friends get together to grieve/celebrate/ remember whoever it was who died but it would have nothing to do with the body. Iyswim

Pebbles789 · 31/05/2018 15:09

My friend is adamant that he doesn't want an actual funeral service, and would rather his family spend the money they would otherwise have spent on a service, funeral flowers and cars on themselves.
He says he's looked into being cremated directly and believes its less expensive to be cremated in the mornings. Is he right would you know OP?

Irksomeness · 31/05/2018 15:09

Xpost pebbles ....

nozzel · 31/05/2018 15:11

My lovely DF died in February this year I currently have his ashes in my sideboard as my DD who is 4 is fascinated by them. I could not believe either how heavy they were, I expected them to be lighter. This is an enlightening read, thanks OP.

ReggaetonLente · 31/05/2018 15:12

Thank you Kermit that means so much.

LoislovesStewie · 31/05/2018 15:12

I don't want to ask a question but would like to thank you for being so respectful to the deceased. I'm sure you have given many people such comfort at a difficult time. Thank you.

KittenBeast · 31/05/2018 15:13

Does the body have to be in a coffin? Can it just go as it is?

drudgewithagrudge · 31/05/2018 15:14

I have seen friends and family in their coffins at the funeral directors and they were wearing clothes. Given that most clothes are made of man made fibres, would they be allowed to be cremated in them or are they undressed at the undertaker's before cremation?
If this is so, what happens to their clothes ?

Stillme1 · 31/05/2018 15:15

Kermit - Thank you so much for answering my questions

Iwantacampervan · 31/05/2018 15:16

I've got an artificial hip - I hadn't thought about it before but that will be left behind if/when I'm cremated.
What an interesting thread - thank you.

AgentHannahWells · 31/05/2018 15:18

Really interesting. I would like to watch my loved ones go in the cremator and wait while the process happens and then take the ashes that day. Is that ever allowed? It feels so fake leaving them behind the velvet curtains waiting for their turn.

LateDad · 31/05/2018 15:18

Kermit Thanks for this thread, and your care ... please pass on my thanks to your colleagues for their care and spread the love.

BartholinsSister · 31/05/2018 15:20

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Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:22

@Irksomeness yes we do them and yes I agree that it's a families choice and that's the way the cremation/funeral business is going. There are a lot of companys who do the direct cremation. We at the Crematorium treat every single one the same whether they have family attending or not

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CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:23

@KittenBeast yes a coffin has to provided or we wouldn't be able to charge safely

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CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:24

@drudgewithagrudge no they're not undressed and it's very little fibres so not a huge problem. What would be a problem is a complete rubber diving suit for example but say jeans and a t shirt or a suit is absolutely fine.

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TwitterQueen1 · 31/05/2018 15:25

What a crass question Bartholins Hmm

OP. I want a funeral service in a church but don't want anyone to attend a further crematorium service for me. I've been to a couple (my parents) and found it upsetting. Can I request a cremation with no-one in attendance and the DCs would simply collect my ashes later?

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:25

@Iwantacampervan it would be either recycled or returned to your family. Whatever they have said on the application form.

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raspberryshake · 31/05/2018 15:26

I love it that you say Cheerio to them. My mum passed away far too soon and unexpectedly in April this year. I miss her so much, and hope that the Crem Tech where she was cremated was as lovely to her as you are to your charges.

Can I ask though, when Mum was cremated, the funeral director said we'd get her glasses, false teeth and shoes back (we dressed her for Chapel Of Rest visits) as these items were not allowed in the cremator. However the coffin was sealed and these items inadvertently went with her (we didn't mind because what would we do with them!) but would the funeral directors have gotten into trouble?

Spaghettijumper · 31/05/2018 15:26

Kermit - I come from a different culture where death is very much part of life and people tend to touch dead bodies and kiss them etc. Do you have any opinion on whether the hands-off approach that tends to happen in the UK has any impact on people's grieving? It seems to me that engaging more with the dead person gives a person a sense of closure and completeness but that may be just because that's what I'm used to.

Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:27

@AgentHannahWells you are well within your rights to witness the charging of the cremator but wouldn't be able to stay for the duration of the cremation. You would be asked to return in a few hours to collect the ashes.

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Original poster
CodLiverOil556 · 31/05/2018 15:27

@BartholinsSister in the microwave in the kitchen...where else??

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