Any form of ceremony can take place at the crematorium within the time allowed for each funeral, which is usually between 20 and 30 minutes. Some crematoria have extended the time available. If you would prefer a longer ceremony, ask the funeral director to book a double appointment (inevitably this does increase the cost).

Alternatively, a service may take place in any separate building, such as a hotel, hall or place of worship, followed by a short ceremony (called a committal) at the crematorium. Or you could have the committal at the crematorium before a more public event following the crematorium ceremony.

The mourners will normally gather at the crematorium in the waiting room or close to the entrance of the chapel a few minutes before the appointed time of the funeral service.

THE CREMATION PROCESS: STEP-BY-STEP

Cremation reduces the body to its basic elements through a process that exposes it to open flames, intense heat and evaporation. This is done in a specially designed furnace called a cremation chamber or retort. Many crematories require a container for the body such as a casket appropriate for cremation or a rigid cardboard container.

Cremated remains are commonly referred to as “ashes,” however, in reality, they consist primarily of bone fragments. It is important to recognize that the cremated remains of the body are commingled with any remains of the container as well as any other incidental by-products of the incineration. Cremation produces 3 to 9 pounds of remains, depending on the size of the body and the process used by the crematory.