How Does Cremation Work?

Cremation has been growing in popularity in recent years. Today, cremations account for more than half of all services. By 2023, the Cremation Association of North America projects this to grow to nearly 60% of all services.


If you’re thinking about planning a cremation, you may be wondering about a service as well. A common misconception is that you can’t have a funeral or memorial service along with it. This is completely untrue, as many families host visitations and funeral services prior to their loved one being cremated. If you have a direct cremation though, you can still have a service with the ashes present, the only difference is the body is cremated prior to the service.


Not to worry though, in this blog post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about direct cremation services.

What is Direct Cremation?

A direct cremation is the process of completing a cremation prior to a service being held. Rather than embalming and preparing the remains for a service beforehand, the deceased is transported directly to the crematory. Direct cremations are often completed outside of peak hours and less expensive than a traditional cremation and service. Some families will elect to have a direct cremation, so they have more time to plan a memorial service at a later date.

How it Works

A body is cremated through the use of heat to reduce it down to fragmented pieces of bone. The cremation process first begins by having the family authorize the crematory to cremate the deceased’s remains. This is accomplished by signing a legal document provided by the funeral home. After authorization has been granted, a family member must identify the remains for the process to begin.


The funeral director or crematory operator then removes jewelry and other items while preparing the body. Any medical devices the deceased might have had implanted like a pacemaker for instance, are also removed to avoid any potential hazards during the cremation.


The body is then placed in a cremation container constructed from sturdy cardboard, wicker, or plywood. An identification tag is attached to the container to properly identify the remains of the deceased.


The actual process begins by pre-heating the cremation chamber and then placing the container inside of the chamber. Temperatures inside the change are anywhere from 1800 to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. After about 2 hours, the body is fully cremated.


The final step in the process is to process the bones once the remains have cooled. The bones are compacted using a special machine that breaks them down until they are dense and sand-like ashes. A magnet is then used to remove any metal pieces that were not destroyed from the heat before the ashes are transferred to an urn or temporary container.

Benefits of Direct Cremation Services

There are many benefits to direct cremation. For some it’s about cost and choosing something more affordable. For others, it’s simplicity and not having to stress over final arrangements. Whatever the case may be, direct cremation services are a popular choice for many area families.