Cremations

[Bonnie and Clyde]

I was wondering if anyone would know the truth about the Coffins at cremations. We just recently cremated Col's dad that we lost on the 7th Feb to cancer. We chose a beautiful coffin and the ceremony went beautifully which leads to my question. Do they actually burn the coffin with the body? The reason i ask this is firstly at my Grandmothers cremation a few years back myself and my dad noticed whilst leaving the crematorium a room at the back filled with coffins. Lids stood up against the wall next to the empty casket.
We collected Freds (FIL) ashes and scattered them today at a place of his choice. I would have thought if the coffin had also been burned there would have been a lot more ashes. I know this may come across as strange but i wondered if they don't burn them, do they re-use them? If so should they not inform people of this.
TIA

[Rach*]

I'm pretty sure they do, I saw a programme a few years ago where it showed the crematorium staff sifting through the ash to remove the handles and anything else that doesnt reduce too well.

Sorry to hear about your FIL, I went to my Great Aunties cremation about the same time, very sad.
Some of the nurses she trained (40odd years ago) at Leeds Hospital were at the church!

[Markytop]

It might depend upon the crematorium, as the ashes from my grandad are around 10 times the volume of that of my grandma. My grandma was around equal size to my grandad, so there shouldnt be such a difference, but your post about including/excluding the coffin might explain why.

Have regulations etc changed over time, as my Grandma was cremated 11 years ago in Devon, while my Grandad was last month in Nottinghamshire.

(Before it sounds a bit freaky that I know about ashes, the reason for the direct comparison was my Grandad's wishes was for his ashes to be mixed with my Grandma's ashes prior to being spread at their chosen location.)

[Rach*]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crematorium

Not pleasant to read really, I want to be buried, but they do put the coffin in, things will have changed over the last few years I'm sure.

[cottonfoo]

The coffins are burnt along with the body. You can't re-use coffins, they're lined with plastic sheeting (and, if viewed, decoration) and the lids are screwed down tight.

[randomman]

Rach* said:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crematorium

Not pleasant to read really, I want to be buried, but they do put the coffin in, things will have changed over the last few years I'm sure.

Couldn't stand the thought of being buried, alive or not.

Besides when I become famous I will have the choice of where to be scattered.

[MK4 Slowride]

randomman said:

Couldn't stand the thought of being buried, alive or not.

Wasn't this known as Romeo syndrome? They'd dig up an old grave to put the newly deceased in thier place and they'd find scratchmarks on the inside of the coffin. This is where 'dead ringers' comes from. As the supposed dead were actually in a coma if they woke up they'd ring a bell tied to their arm and an attendant (dead ringer) would dig them up.

[Isoproturon1]

When I was about 13, Scholemoor crematorium in Bradford had an open day so I managed to talk a somewhat perturbed father into going with me for a look.

We got to see inside the cremators, and they explained that any things such as metal that didn't get burnt, had to be removed afterwards. There was also a machine that the ashes were poured into, containing large ball bearings, that further reduced down the size of the ashes. They were very proud of their computer-controlled burners and how little smoke it produced.

All a bit clinical, but very interesting nevertheless.

[Bonnie and Clyde]

Isoproturon1 said:

When I was about 13, Scholemoor crematorium in Bradford had an open day so I managed to talk a somewhat perturbed father into going with me for a look.

We got to see inside the cremators, and they explained that any things such as metal that didn't get burnt, had to be removed afterwards. There was also a machine that the ashes were poured into, containing large ball bearings, that further reduced down the size of the ashes. They were very proud of their computer-controlled burners and how little smoke it produced.

All a bit clinical, but very interesting nevertheless.

That is interesting. My MIL mentioned the crem that Fred was cremated at did "open days". I don't think i'd go but it is interesting

[Bonnie and Clyde]

I wonder then if they do burn the casket with the body why there were so many empty coffins in a room out the back of the crem in Felixstowe where my nan was taken

[Cpt Stirling]

The coffin goes in the cremator with the body. Metal handles etc are removed first, although tend to be plastic these days. Average size body takes about 1 1/2 hours. It's done with the utmost decency, respect & professionalism

[eldudereno]

MK4 Slowride said:

randomman said:

Couldn't stand the thought of being buried, alive or not.

Wasn't this known as Romeo syndrome? They'd dig up an old grave to put the newly deceased in thier place and they'd find scratchmarks on the inside of the coffin. This is where 'dead ringers' comes from. As the supposed dead were actually in a coma if they woke up they'd ring a bell tied to their arm and an attendant (dead ringer) would dig them up.

You learn something new every day. Maybe they should use a humane killer on us first to make sure that we're dead.

Which is worse then, to wake up in a grave or to wake up in an oven.

[Cpt Stirling]

Sometimes 'cocoon' coffins are used e.g. when a cardboard on is opted for and the relatives want a more ornate coffin on show before committal, the cardboard one goes inside. Probably what was seen 'out back'.

[Bonnie and Clyde]

Cpt Stirling said:

The coffin goes in the cremator with the body. Metal handles etc are removed first, although tend to be plastic these days. Average size body takes about 1 1/2 hours. It's done with the utmost decency, respect & professionalism

Do they have a few ovens then as they were doing a cremation every half hour?

[Bonnie and Clyde]

Cpt Stirling said:

Sometimes 'cocoon' coffins are used e.g. when a cardboard on is opted for and the relatives want a more ornate coffin on show before committal, the cardboard one goes inside. Probably what was seen 'out back'.

Oh ok that would explain it. It was a horrible thought that they re used them and that when we went to see Fred at the chapel of rest there may have been another body in there before. Thanks for clearing that up for me

[Cpt Stirling]

Usually, depending on the size of the area it serves, but alway only one coffin/cremator at a time.

[crankedup]

Just to expand a little on the subject, prior to cremation heart pacemakers are removed from the body (by morticians) Otherwise these things explode in the cremator with some velocity. Everything in the cremation and burial business is conducted with the utmost respect and dignity.

[Isoproturon1]

Bonnie and Clyde said:

Cpt Stirling said:

The coffin goes in the cremator with the body. Metal handles etc are removed first, although tend to be plastic these days. Average size body takes about 1 1/2 hours. It's done with the utmost decency, respect & professionalism

Do they have a few ovens then as they were doing a cremation every half hour?

It's nearly 20 yrs since I visited, but IIRC there were 2 or 3 at the one I saw.

[Isoproturon1]

Bonnie and Clyde said:

I don't think i'd go but it is interesting

It demystifies death and the funeral process somewhat, so might be worth going.

[Simpo Two]

Bonnie and Clyde said:

Cpt Stirling said:

Sometimes 'cocoon' coffins are used e.g. when a cardboard on is opted for and the relatives want a more ornate coffin on show before committal, the cardboard one goes inside. Probably what was seen 'out back'.

Oh ok that would explain it. It was a horrible thought that they re used them and that when we went to see Fred at the chapel of rest there may have been another body in there before. Thanks for clearing that up for me

The entrepreneur would see a market for s/h coffins for those on a budget...