THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CREMATING A BODY

cremation process

For a long time, people have chosen burial so that the remains of a deceased person may rest in peace. However, in recent years, cremation has gained preference among funeral options.

Burial consists of burying or burying a body. Instead, cremation is the process of cremating the remains to ashes. The second option, without a doubt, represents a more practical alternative, especially in logistics.

After cremation, the remains can be preserved or scattered in a place that has emotional value for the relatives. The advantages of this funeral method go beyond comfort, and here we tell you what they ar

What is the cremation of a body about?
Cremation is a practice in which the body is reduced to ashes and the remains are deposited in a funeral urn. It is a quick process that takes between 2 and 4 hours.

After the cremation process, the ashes can be stored in a small urn that can be kept at home by loved ones. Another option is to place them in a mausoleum, where relatives can visit them.
Similarly, the remains can also be scattered in a landscape or environment chosen by family members. This depends on the wishes of the deceased loved one and even their family.

The symbolic meaning of the cremation of a body


Some cultures give special relevance to the fire that involves the cremation process. In this regard, flames represent a vehicle that facilitates the transition between the world of the living and that of the dead.

In its symbolic meaning, fire is considered a form of purification and light. The flame, being elevated, represents the impulse towards the divine and rebirth.

The fire has an earthly origin, but it is considered from heaven because the flames rise, so the cremation would symbolize a heavenly destination.

Steps prior to the cremation of a deceased

Verification of the deceased

The first step is to verify that the body matches the data of the deceased, a key step in which Funeuskadi is very strict. The funeral home has a form and a database where the following are collected:

  • Declarant data
  • Data of the deceased
  • The casket model was chosen by the family
  • How the body will be shrouded
  • Etc.

The deceased can be in the funeral room, which is unique per deceased, or in a cold room. The name of the chamber appears on the door and the body includes an identification plate for verification.

Farewell preparation

Once the family has already chosen the coffin, the clothes previously indicated by the relatives for the deceased’s farewell are collected and prepared for the farewell.

The flowers that will be used in the cremation room can be those that were in the funeral room or, in case the deceased has not been veiled, those that are specifically commissioned from the florist. In both cases, they will be taken to the room that, normally, is usually a chapel of the Funeral Parlor.

Welcoming families and farewell

30 minutes before the time of the cremation, the family is received, the process is explained to them and, if they have not already chosen it, they are shown the available cremation urns.

Family members are also informed about the belongings and jewelry that the deceased has. They will be able to choose, by means of a signed document, if they want to recover them or include them in the incineration.

At this time the family can visually recognize the loved one for confirmation of identity. It is optional but 80% of families carry out this step.

Finally, reading is made by the person who officiates the farewell. This reading is customizable – choosing a poem, for example – and can be done by a family member.

How a cremation is: the cremation process explained step by step

After the farewell, the cremation process itself begins.

  1. First, the coffin moves from the chapel to the room where the oven is located on a stretcher, and from this moment on, the process can be followed through a screen.
  2. Once the coffin has left the chapel and is in the room of the crematorium, the coffin is placed in an introducer;  a lifting machine that inserts it into the oven removes the stretcher and closes the oven door.
  3. The crematorium oven starts, reaching a temperature in the chamber of 750-850Âș which is maintained for 2 hours, the time that the process lasts.
  4. Subsequently, the ashes are cooled in an industrial saucepan for about 30 minutes.
  5. After cooling, the ashes are transferred to a second saucepan where the cremation process is carried out by means of which the ashes are crushed with steel balls for 10 minutes to homogenize and crumble the ashes.
  6. Finally, the ashes are poured into the urn chosen by the family. This ballot box, as established by current legislation, must be delivered closed and identified with the name of the deceased.

Advantages of opting for the cremation of a body
Many people prefer cremation over internment or burial. The main reason is that it does not require too many arrangements at such a difficult time when families need peace of mind.

Cremation undoubtedly makes funeral arrangements more flexible and comfortable for family members. However, there are other advantages that we list below.

Optimize burial space
After the cremation of a body, only a small urn is required that can be placed in almost any space. This makes it easier to assign a resting place for the remains.

Does not generate maintenance expenses
Burial requires the purchase of a niche or grave to bury the remains, so it requires annual maintenance costs for the place. On the contrary, in the case of cremation, the ashes can be preserved or scattered, so such expenses can be dispensed with.

Prevents rotting of the body
By choosing cremation, waking acts and other processes that may interfere with the proper preservation of the body are avoided. In this way, incineration becomes a more hygienic alternative that prevents rotting of the body.

It prevents illnesses
Due to the fact that in cremation the remains are immediately cremated, possible outbreaks of contagious diseases that could occur during the manipulation of the body are prevented.

Reduce funeral expenses
The cremation of a body requires less expense compared to burial. This translates into a more appropriate option to avoid leaving expensive bills in the hands of the bereaved.

Disadvantages of cremation
Despite having favorable advantages both for the handling and conservation of the remains, there are some disadvantages that the family members may perceive in this practice. Some of them are:

Prevents paying tributes through the making of tombstones
With the cremation of a body, the remains have a different fate than a burial. This can represent a limitation when wanting to commemorate your loved one with a tombstone that represents the affection and feelings of the family.

It does not allow to preserve of DNA
In the incineration process, all genetic information is destroyed. This could be a problem if it is necessary to have the DNA of the deceased person.

Generates moral prejudices in some cultures
In some cultures, the cremation of a body is associated with punishment and burial with honor. Therefore, before choosing the method of farewell to a loved one, take into account cultural paradigms and those of his family.

Create controversy at the religious level
Each religion has a different way of performing funeral rituals or ceremonies. Even the grieving process also changes depending on your religious beliefs.

In this sense, the funeral option to choose will depend on the type of religion you have.

Conclusions
Choosing how you will fire a loved one will depend on personal tastes, cultural practices, and even religious beliefs. You also need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each funeral alternative.

In any case, and in order to make the best decision, it is recommended to consult the opinion of the whole family. The most important thing is to ensure that the deceased receives due respect and respect.

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