The passing of a loved one is never easy. Upon passing people leave behind all their worldly possessions, including the possession of their physical body. While material possessions are easy to carry on forward, the body of the deceased is something that needs proper care & respect. While some cultures bury their dead, other cultures prefer to cremate their loved ones. Let us learn more about cremation services.
What is cremation?
Cremation is a term used to describe the final disposal of an individual’s bodily remains after death by the process of burning. It is one of the most common methods of dealing with the bodily remains of a deceased person. While historically cremation services have been carried out in open wood fires, with the introduction of modern technology, modern cremation procedures are carried out in closed electric or gas-fired furnaces.
An average cremation service usually lasts up to around 1 hour, depending on the temperature of the flame, and leaves behind approximately 2.5 Kg to 3 Kg of remains. These remains usually consisted of ashes and some unburnt bone fragments. These are called “ashes” or “cremains”. These ashes do not pose any health risks and can be easily disposed of by scattering or may be kept as memories of the deceased ones.
History of Cremation services
Historically the first documented case of cremation of bodily remains can be seen some 17000 years ago. While cremation was practiced by many cultures of the ancient world, its particular spread is well noticed in most south Asian & Chinese cultures even to this date.
The practice of cremation was mostly outlawed by the catholic church around medieval Europe since it was viewed with suspicion and was seen as a remnant of pagan & barbaric cultures. However, the practice of cremation was reintroduced into mainstream society in Europe in the late 1870s. This is because at the time with the introduction of electric gas and coal-powered furnaces it became a viable alternative to traditional burial services.
Process of Cremation
In modern times, most cremation services occur in high-temperature closed furnaces called crematoriums. A cremator is a high-temperature industrial-grade furnace that is large enough to accommodate the body of a deceased. A flame temperature of around 1000°F to 1600°F is maintained with the help of oil, natural gas, propane, or coal fuel. This high-temperature flame ensures a quick and easy cremation process with minimum residue.
Collection of Remains
Most cremation procedures generate ash residue. While this ash residue is harmless, many cultures scatter these “ashes” into the rivers and mountains as a symbol of freedom for the deceased person. Other cultures usually collect these ashes in decorative urns and keep them as fond memories of the deceased person.
With recent advancements in science, many people are now converting these remains into diamonds to keep as fond memories of their loved ones. Since these ashes are composed of mostly pure carbon, they are put under high temperature and pressure which chemically changes the composition of the atoms and molecules and turns them into a real diamond.
Conclusion
While burial is still one of the most common ways of saying final goodbye to the loved ones, cremation services are also a safe, viable, environmentally friendly way to see off the loved ones.
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