The typical cremation conducted in a modern crematory requires an average of 28 gallons of fuel (about the amount of fuel that can be held in an SUV gas tank). This translates in the release of approximately 540 pounds of carbons dioxide (CO2) Source.
Here's the morbid math: Cremating one corpse requires two to three hours and more than 1,800 degrees of heat — enough energy to release 573 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, environmental analysts have calculated.
Most crematories rely on either natural or liquefied petroleum gas.
However, these filters do not neutralize the CO2 generated by cremating a body, including the gas generated as a by-product of heating that body up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Matthews estimates that one cremation produces an average of 534.6 pounds of carbon dioxide.
The cremation process for humans takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. The body is placed in a retort, which is then heated to between 1400 and 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the body burns, and the bones turn to ash.
During cremation, the body parts that do burn consist of organs, soft tissue, hair, and skin, while the water in our bodies evaporates. The body parts that do not burn are bone fragments.
Cremains contain what is known as rest energy, sometimes referred to as free or dormant energy. This type of energy is still subject to the restraints of natural law, and can have no physical or spiritual impact on those around it.
Cremated remains take up very little space, can be stored or buried in a biodegradable urn, and will not harm the environment. However, cremation burns a tremendous amount of fossil fuel, and it can release chemicals into the atmosphere.
Cremation is considered more environmentally friendly than burial because human remains are reduced to just a few pounds of ash in the process. Because fossil fuels are used to fire a crematory furnace, the process is not entirely environmentally friendly.
But weighing up the long-term impacts, the study found that burial generally has a 10% higher environmental impact than cremation, as it is a more labour and resource-intensive process. Much of the emissions come from maintenance of the gravesite and cemetery lawns over the years.
There is no odor emitted from ashes that have been properly cremated. Even over time, you shouldn't expect any particular smells to develop. If anything, certain cremation containers will simply emit a slight incense-like smell.
Is a body drained before cremation? Draining a body of fluids does not happen before cremation. If a body is embalmed before cremation, the bodily fluids are exchanged (drained, and then replaced) with chemicals during the embalming process. These chemicals are also fluid.
In the case of direct cremation, the deceased's body does not get drained of fluids and is cremated as is. If the body is being embalmed, the bodily fluids are exchanged (drained and replaced) with chemicals.
Are Cremation Ashes Heavy? A box of adult human ashes can be surprisingly heavy. If you are still expecting the remains to be like that of a campfire, the weight might be unexpected. Human cremation ashes include crushed bone, which makes them denser than ash from wood and therefore heavier.
The process takes anywhere between three to four hours depending on the power of the retort and the mass of the body inserted. After this step is completed, the cremated bones will come out of the retort and then be processed.
Human ashes are like sand and they do not float. They will not dissolve in the water; instead, they will descend into the ocean until they hit the floor. Can we have a service or a mariner's farewell ceremony before we scatter ashes?
Cremation myth #10: Human ashes are a biohazard.
Cremation remains consist of bone matter, which includes dry calcium phosphates and other minerals, such as potassium and sodium. Rather than being toxic, cremated remains are considered a natural, sanitary substance.
What does the Bible say about cremation? According to most Biblical study websites, there is no explicit scriptural command for or against cremation. There are no passages that forbid cremation, according to most Biblical scholars.
Modern cremation systems feature smoke stacks and exhaust fans that remove almost all odor. Decomposed bodies smell especially bad when they're set on fire. Bacteria inside the organs—starting with the intestines and the pancreas—reproduce and release methane byproducts, which give corpses their distinctive stench.
Religions like Orthodox Christianity, Islam and Judaism follow traditions that frown upon cremation, even prohibiting it. Traditionally, their culture believes that the idea of turning human body into cremation ashes might interfere with God's ability to resurrect the dead and bring it to heaven.
Is it OK to Keep Cremains at Home? There's nothing bad about keeping cremated remains at home. Even though the practice is legal, those from specific faith communities may object to the practice. Some religious faiths, such as followers of Islam, Eastern Orthodox, and some Jewish sects forbid cremation.
In the Bible, there are no passages that prohibit or encourage cremation and scattering of ashes. However, many Christian sects believe a burial funeral aligns with best end-of-life practices. As a result, some Christian clerics may discourage cremation or prohibit it entirely.
If you are looking to promote a healthy grieving process, keeping the urn 'hidden away' within the attic or basement may not be ideal. The attic relates to the future and the basement, to the past. However, if the attic is finished and being used, that could be the exception.
Yes, the coffin is also cremated. A deceased person is not safely placed within a crematory unless a coffin is used.