What Happens in Cremations?

What happens in Moneta, VA cremations? We'll break down the cremation process from start to finish so that you have a better understanding of what is involved and what you can expect. 

First, even with direct cremations, at least 24 hours must pass before cremation will take place. That is because the crematory must have a death certificate before the cremation can take place, and death certificates take at least 24 hours – sometimes up to 48 hours – to obtain. The bodies are held in cold storage at the funeral home or the crematory to prevent decomposition before the cremation. 

The cremation process itself takes about two or three hours to complete. Before, during, and after the cremation process, the crematory will ensure that the deceased is accurately identified, the crematory operator is safe, and that the deceased is handled with dignity and respect. 

Before cremation, authorization for the cremation is obtained. Part of this authorization process includes which family member the cremation remains should be returned to after the cremation process. Only that family member will be allowed to receive the cremation remains. 

All jewelry is removed, as are glasses and hearing aids, before cremation. These are returned to the deceased families. Any medical devices with lithium batteries – pacemakers are the most common – are also removed before cremation. 

The deceased, who is fully dressed, is identified by a current photo or a visual identification by a family member (family members may watch the cremation if they desire). A non-combustible tag is attached the deceased and that tag stays with the deceased from the beginning of the cremation process to the very end when the remains are readied to give to the family. 

The deceased is then placed in a fully-combustible container (this could be a casket or a sturdy cardboard box). Next, the container is put into the cremation chamber. During the cremation process, a combination of intense heat, evaporation, and open flames is applied, which reduces the body to bone fragments. 

If there was any metal in the body, such as screws, pins, plates, or metal artificial joints, those will be removed after the cremation remains are cooled down. Crematories either removed these metal pieces by hand or they use a special magnet to take them out. The metal is then scrapped or melted down. 

What is left will weigh anywhere from three to nine pounds, depending on the size of the skeleton of the deceased and the specific cremation process used by the crematory. The bone fragments that are left are then finely ground until they have the consistency of sand. They will be an ashy color, which is why they are often times referred to as "ashes." 

The cremated remains – called cremains – are then placed in a plastic bag with the identification tag that the deceased was tagged with before the cremation began. That bag of cremains is put into a temporary container (if the family didn't purchase an urn in advance) or the urn supplied by the family. 

The family member who is authorized to receive the cremains is contacted that the cremains are ready to be picked up. The family member picks up the cremains and then the family is free to do what they wish with them. 

For additional information about Moneta, VA cremations, our caring and knowledgeable staff at Lynch Conner-Bowman Funeral Home is here to assist you. You can visit our funeral home at 140 Floyd Ave., Rocky Mount, VA, 24151, or you can call us today at (540) 483-5533.