May 23, 2025

Understanding Cremation

Understanding Cremation: A Professional Overview

Cremation has been practiced for thousands of years and continues to be an integral part of many

cultures and belief systems. While it is mandated by some religions, it is prohibited by others.

Governments, tasked with safeguarding public health and community standards, regulate both

cremation and burial practices. Fundamentally, both cremation and burial serve the same

purpose—returning the body to the earth. Cremation achieves this process rapidly, and burial is

more gradual. Legally and culturally, both are accepted methods of final disposition, though

cremation often raises more questions for families.

Cremation takes place in a specially designed facility within a unit known as a cremation

chamber, retort, or cremator. Only one individual is cremated at a time. The body, typically

clothed or shrouded, is placed in a container made of combustible material before being

introduced into the chamber.

The cremation process usually takes between two and three hours, depending on the size of the

individual and the heat capacity of the chamber. The internal temperature typically ranges

between 1,500 and 1,900 degrees Fahrenheit, effectively reducing the body to basic elements,

primarily bone fragments. Once the process is complete and the chamber has cooled, the remains

are carefully swept from the chamber. Metals are separated and removed, and the remaining

bone fragments are processed into a coarse, gravel-like consistency. The final result is a grayish-

white material that is more granular than fine ash or dust.

On average, cremation yields four to six pounds of remains. The individual’s height has a

greater impact on the volume of remains than weight. Chemically, cremated remains consist

largely of calcium carbonate.

Families have several respectful and legal options for handling cremated remains, and it is

essential, though often overlooked, to have a plan in place that honors the deceased and provides

peace of mind for loved ones.

Alkaline Hydrolysis, better known as Aquamation is another form of cremation.

Alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water cremation or aquamation, is a process that uses water,

heat, and an alkaline solution to dissolve human remains. It's an alternative to traditional

cremation, offering a potentially more environmentally friendly option.

How it works:

The deceased is sealed in a stainless steel chamber.

A heated solution of water and an alkaline compound (often potassium hydroxide or sodium

hydroxide) is circulated around the body.

The combination of water, heat, and alkalinity gently breaks down the soft tissues, leaving

behind bone fragments.

The remaining bone fragments are processed, similar to traditional cremation, to produce

fine ash.

The liquid solution is processed at a water treatment facility and can be returned to the

natural environment.

Benefits:

• Environmental:

Alkaline hydrolysis is generally considered more environmentally friendly than traditional

cremation, as it requires less energy and doesn't produce the same emissions.

• Lower energy consumption:

It uses significantly less energy than traditional cremation.

• No toxic emissions:

It doesn't produce the same amount of toxic emissions as traditional cremation.

• Reduced burial space:

It can be a good alternative for those seeking to avoid traditional burial.

Considerations:

• Religious or cultural beliefs: Some may have reservations about this process due to

religious or cultural beliefs.

• Cost: The cost of alkaline hydrolysis can vary depending on location and the specific

service provider.

• Availability: It's not yet widely available in all areas.

Disposition Options Include:

• Cemetery Burial: Many cemeteries permit the burial of cremated remains in an existing

family grave site, allowing for shared space and a designated place of remembrance. This

can be a cost-effective option.

• Scattering or Sea Burial: Ashes may be scattered on private property or buried at sea.

For maritime disposition, families should refer to the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency guidelines at epa.gov. Funeral homes often partner with specialized services to

ensure legal and respectful sea burials.

• Urns and Memorial Keepsakes: Cremated remains may be kept in a traditional urn or

divided among family members using keepsake urns or memorial jewelry. This option

allows for a deeply personal form of remembrance.

Navigating these choices can be overwhelming, but support is available. A funeral director or

advanced funeral planner can offer invaluable guidance. These professionals typically provide

consultations at no cost and can ensure that your loved one's final wishes are carried out with

dignity and care.

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Finding humor in funeral service

By Ron Poston • November 23, 2025

Finding Levity in Loss: Why Some Funeral Directors Use Humor Death is an uncomfortable subject for many people. That discomfort often extends to how we feel about the funeral profession itself. For many, the first time they step into a funeral home is after the passing of a loved one. Because of that association, funeral homes and those who work in them are often unfairly linked with morbidity. However, it can be surprising to learn that funeral directors are not the somber, eerie figures portrayed in movies or storybooks. In reality, they are compassionate professionals who balance sensitivity with practicality—and, sometimes, even a touch of humor. While not every funeral director chooses to use comedy, some do. But why would someone in such a serious profession try to be funny? There are several meaningful reasons. 1. Humor Eases Discomfort Death makes people uneasy. It’s difficult to confront our own mortality, and painful to face a future without the people we love. Funeral directors understand this better than anyone. They know that humor, when used thoughtfully, can help ease that discomfort. A lighthearted comment or a moment of laughter can be disarming in the best way—it breaks tension, allowing people to feel a little more human in a deeply emotional setting. In those moments, laughter doesn’t trivialize grief; it helps make an unbearable situation just a little easier to bear. Funeral directors are often highly empathetic and adaptable individuals. Their goal is to provide comfort in whatever form a family most needs. For some, that comfort comes through quiet understanding. For others, it might come from a brief, unexpected moment of levity. 2. Laughter Helps Us Cope with Grief Laughter is more powerful than it seems. It strengthens the immune system, releases endorphins, and even reduces pain. In the context of grief, humor has been shown to ease emotional suffering. Research has found that widows and widowers who were able to laugh and smile when remembering their loved ones experienced lower levels of depression and anxiety. While laughter cannot erase grief, it can help transform it into something more manageable. Grief doesn’t vanish after the funeral—it evolves. Over time, it becomes what’s known as integrated grief: a gentler, ongoing presence that we carry with us. Continuing to find humor in life helps keep that grief from overwhelming us. Funeral directors may not be therapists, but by allowing moments of levity, they can support families as they begin their healing journey. 3. Humor Reduces Stress During Funeral Planning Planning a funeral is inherently stressful. There are countless decisions to make, and the pressure to “get it right” for a loved one can be immense. Families often question whether their choices truly reflect the wishes of the person they’ve lost. In such emotionally charged moments, a bit of humor can be grounding. Physiologically, laughter triggers a short-term stress response—raising heart rate and blood pressure—but then brings them down to calmer levels, leaving the body relaxed. It also releases muscle tension and improves mood, making it easier to face difficult tasks. A funeral director who uses gentle humor may be doing so intentionally—to ease your burden, help you breathe, and remind you that it’s okay to find light even in darkness. 4. Humor Encourages Healing and Living Funeral directors spend their careers talking about death, but they also deeply understand life. They know that when someone walks through their doors, they are often in one of the hardest moments of their existence. Part of their role is to remind grieving families that it’s okay to keep living—and that joy and sorrow can coexist. After a loss, people often experience acute grief, a stage in which everyday life can feel impossible. Laughing may even feel wrong. But humor, used with compassion, can gently open the door back to life. 5. Every Funeral Director Is Different Not every funeral director incorporates humor into their work—and that’s perfectly fine. Some prefer a more formal or traditional approach. But for those who do bring levity into their profession, it’s done with care, empathy, and respect. Their goal isn’t to minimize loss, but to make a painful process a little lighter, a little more human. Funeral directors are not the ominous figures of fiction. They are caring professionals who guide families through some of life’s most difficult transitions. And sometimes, with the right touch, a shared laugh can be one of the most healing gestures of all.