Cremation Frequently Asked Questions

Cremation is defined as the reduction of a dead human body to ashes through direct exposure to heat and flame.

 

The process of cremation happens in a building called a crematory or crematorium. There are more than 1,000 crematories in the United States and Canada today. We operate Reflections Crematory in Jordan, MN.

 

Within a crematory is a special chamber called a cremation chamber, or retort. Once a body has been prepared for cremation it is placed in a cremation container, and the container is slid into the cremation chamber. Then the chamber door is tightly sealed, and a trained crematory operator begins the cremation process.

 

Cremators use heat and flame inside the cremation chamber. This intense heat allows the body to burn until only bone fragments remain. The cremation process takes about 2-3 hours.

 

Following the cremation, the remains are further processed and refined to a consistency similar to coarse sand. These remains are white or grey in color and are referred to as ashes or cremated remains.

 

These remains are now sealed in a transparent bag and placed in an urn selected by the family. The remains weigh about 5 lbs. and are similar in size to a 5-lb. bag of sugar.

Yes.  In fact, grief experts believe that you SHOULD view your loved one.  This is very important to the grieving process.  Our sister firm Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation can accommodate a private family viewing with up to 15 family members at the crematory prior to cremation.

After the cremation is completed small pieces of bone remain. Those remains are further processed and refined into a consistency similar to that of coarse sand. These remains are white or grey in color and are referred to as ashes or cremated remains. The remains weigh about 5 lbs. and are similar in size to a 5-lb. bag of sugar.

The cremator must reach a temperature of 1200 degrees Fahrenheit before the cremation can begin. The majority of the cremation takes place between 1600 – 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.

The length of the cremation depends on a number of factors (i.e. person’s size, sex, cremation number of the day). It takes about 30 minutes for the cremation chamber to warm up. Then the cremation itself takes 2-3 hours, and another 2 hours to cool down.