How long does cremation take?

For a person of average size, the cremation itself usually takes about two hours, though it can range from one to four hours depending on the person's build, the equipment, and how warm the chamber already is.

How much do ashes weigh?

On average, a woman's ashes weigh around five pounds and a man's around seven. The final weight depends mainly on bone structure, since most other matter vaporizes during cremation.

Can you place keepsakes in the casket before cremation?

Usually not. Most crematoriums are only permitted to cremate human remains, though rules vary by location, so always ask the staff beforehand.

Are bodies ever cremated together?

No. Cremation chambers hold only one person, and crematoriums take careful steps to keep each person's remains separate so families receive their own loved one's ashes.

Do you have to embalm a body before cremation?

Only if there will be a viewing or funeral service before the cremation. Without one, embalming serves no purpose and isn't required.

How soon will I receive the ashes?

Most families receive the ashes within two days to a week. Cooling and processing is usually done the same day, with the rest of the wait depending on the delivery method.

Guides

15 common questions about cremation, answered

If you're weighing cremation for yourself or someone you love, you almost certainly have practical questions about how it works. Over the years we've heard the same ones again and again, so we've gathered the most common and answered them plainly here. These cover why people choose cremation, what actually happens during the process, and the many options for the ashes afterward. Where it helps, we point to a more detailed guide.

Why do people choose cremation?

People come to cremation for different reasons. The most common are cost, religious tradition, the flexibility it allows, and a wish to leave a smaller footprint on the environment.

Cost

Cremation lets families avoid many of the expenses that come with a traditional burial. There's no need for an expensive casket, and embalming or cosmetic work is unnecessary when there won't be a viewing. Unless you plan to bury the ashes in a cemetery, you also skip the cost of a plot and grave marker. For a full breakdown of what to expect, see our cremation costs guide.

Religion

Some faiths favor or accept cremation. Hindu and Buddhist traditions generally embrace it. The Catholic Church permits cremation, though it asks that certain rules be followed. Other communities, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, commonly choose it as well.

Flexibility

Cremation gives families room to grieve on their own timeline. You can hold a service before the cremation, or wait and gather later with the ashes present. Some families like that they aren't rushed into arranging an expensive service straight away. Others prefer no formal service at all, an option known as direct cremation. There's also wide freedom in what you do with the ashes: they can be scattered, buried, kept in an urn, or transformed into a keepsake.

Environment

For those who care about their footprint, cremation has a relatively modest environmental impact. It also eases the pressure on crowded cemeteries, since a cremation plot is far smaller than a traditional one. If you scatter or keep the ashes, no plot is needed at all. Still deciding? Our cremation vs. burial guide weighs the pros and cons of each.

How does a crematorium work?

After someone dies, their body is collected from the place of death and transported to where the cremation will take place. The required paperwork is completed first. After some preparation, the body is placed inside a cremation chamber and exposed to intense heat, which reduces it to bone fragments. Once cooled, those fragments are processed in a machine called a cremulator into a coarse, sand-like substance. The remains are then placed in a container and returned to the immediate family.

What's inside a crematorium?

Facilities vary, but most have a business office where the paperwork is handled and the process is explained. Many also have a small retail area selling urns, caskets, mementos, and other cremation-related items. It's common for there to be a room with a window so family and friends can watch the cremation begin. For a deeper look at how it all works, see our cremation process guide.

How long, how hot, and how is the body prepared?

A few of the most common questions are about the mechanics of the cremation itself: the time it takes, the heat involved, and how a body is readied beforehand.

How long does it take to cremate a body?

It can take anywhere from one to four hours, depending on several factors. For a person of average height and weight in a cardboard casket, the process usually takes about two hours. It runs shorter or longer depending on the person's size, the type of equipment used, and whether the chamber is already warm from earlier cremations that day.

What temperature is used?

Very high heat, hot enough that organic matter is essentially vaporized. A typical cremation chamber runs between 1,400 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Someone usually monitors the process throughout to keep the temperature steady.

How is a body prepared?

Before the cremation, objects that won't burn or could be hazardous are removed. That includes jewelry, internal plates, nails, and screws. Pacemakers must come out because they can explode under heat, and radioactive implants or those containing mercury are removed to protect the environment. The body is then placed in a casket or sometimes wrapped in a shroud.

What happens to the ashes and bones?

Many people are curious about what cremation actually leaves behind: how much there is, what it's made of, and when it will be ready.

How much ash does cremation produce?

Many people are surprised by both the amount and the weight. On average, a woman's ashes weigh around five pounds and a man's around seven. Because most of the organic matter vaporizes, the final weight is determined mainly by bone structure, so a taller, larger-boned person leaves heavier remains. Whether a casket was used, and what kind, also plays a part. Our guide to what cremains are explains this in more detail.

What happens to the bones?

Most of the body's organic matter vaporizes quickly under the high heat. The bones, made largely of calcium phosphates and carbonates, don't burn as easily, so much of the bone remains after the cremation is complete. These fragments are placed in a cremulator and ground into the coarse, sand-like material families recognize as ashes.

How long until the ashes are ready?

This depends on the facility, but you'll usually receive the ashes within two days to a week. Cooling and processing is typically finished on the day of the cremation itself. The rest of the wait comes down to whether the ashes are hand-delivered or mailed to you. If you need a precise timeline, ask the funeral home or crematorium directly.

What happens to the casket?

The casket is incinerated along with the body, which can lengthen the process slightly and produce a little more ash. Whatever you choose should be made of flammable material; any metal handles or fittings are removed by staff beforehand.

An alternative casket

A traditional burial casket is usually the single biggest funeral expense, and for most families it makes little sense to spend thousands only to have it burned. Most people instead choose an alternative casket built from highly flammable materials such as sturdy cardboard or simple wood, at a fraction of the cost.

Renting a casket

Another option is to rent a casket for a viewing. A rental casket has an opening, usually on the side or at the end. The body rests in an alternative casket that slides inside, so it never touches the rental shell. After the viewing, the inner casket is removed and cremated, and the rental is used again. See our cremation caskets guide for more.

Individual cremation, keepsakes, and embalming

Several questions come up around how individually each cremation is handled, and what is or isn't allowed.

Are people cremated individually?

Yes. Cremation chambers only hold one person, partly because some bodies take longer than others. Just as important, families place great value on receiving their own loved one's ashes, and crematoriums take careful steps to keep remains separate. Because many facilities also allow families to witness the cremation, there's added assurance that each person is cremated alone.

What can you place in the casket?

Many families want to include a memento or keepsake with their loved one before the cremation. In most cases this isn't permitted, since crematoriums are only allowed to cremate human remains. Rules do vary by location, though, so the surest approach is to ask the staff ahead of time.

Does the body have to be embalmed?

Only if the family wants a viewing or funeral service before the cremation, in which case embalming and cosmetic preparation are needed. Otherwise, there's no reason to embalm before cremation.

Working with funeral homes and timing

Two practical questions often come up about who carries out the cremation and when it takes place.

Do funeral homes perform the cremation themselves?

Occasionally, but usually not. Most funeral homes have a third-party arrangement with a separate crematory to carry out the service. If you'd prefer, you can often work directly with the crematorium, whose staff can handle the arrangements for you. Going direct can save on funeral home fees, which tend to be costly.

How soon after the funeral is the body cremated?

The cremation usually happens the same day as the funeral. If that isn't possible, it's typically carried out within 72 hours. Delays can occur, for example if the body must be transported to another town, state, or country, or if a crime was involved and an autopsy is required first. In any of these cases, the body is held in a climate-controlled location.

What can you do with the ashes?

This is one of the questions we hear most, and there are many answers. A few of the most common are below; for more ideas, see our guide on what to do with ashes.

Interment

A popular choice is to bury the ashes. Most cemeteries set aside a specific area for the interment of cremated remains, often at a lower cost than a full burial plot.

Keeping the ashes

Many families prefer to keep the ashes close by placing them in an urn or another container, often displayed at home, such as on a mantel. Urns range from simple to ornate, and some are designed as lasting keepsakes.

Scattering

Scattering is another well-loved way to say goodbye. It can be done on private land, in national parks, or at sea. Each location can carry its own rules and permit requirements, so it's worth checking before you go. Our scattering ashes guide covers locations, permits, and the law in more depth.

Getting help with arrangements

Making these decisions while grieving is hard, and you don't have to figure it all out at once. Following the links throughout this guide will take you to fuller answers on each topic. If cost and simplicity are your priorities, our direct cremation and cremation costs guides are good next steps.

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