It’s normal to have questions about cremation, especially if this is your first experience with death. But unfortunately, gathering the required signatures and approval for the cremation takes time. And even though it’s hard to wait, there’s just no natural way to speed up the process.
How Long Does Cremation Take?
Let’s look at the items needed for cremation: signed contract & authorization form, death certificate, and medical examiner approval. After approval, the 2-4 hour cremation happens as soon as the crematory has an opening. So, ten to fifteen business days is a reasonable estimate of how long the process takes.
Below, I’ll delve into each step of the process so you can better understand what’s happening behind the scenes.
What Are The Steps For Approving Cremation?
Some of the paperwork required for cremation can be taken care of before death. So if you’re planning your services, then it’s a good idea to sign your cremation authorization. The funeral director keeps it on file until needed. Otherwise, family members will sign it after you pass.
- Sign cremation authorization.
- The family signs and enters into a contract for services with the funeral home or crematory. This paperwork happens even if you sign your cremation authorization beforehand.
- Next, a doctor signs the death certificate and assigns a cause of death.
- And then finally, the medical examiner approves the cremation. Depending on the circumstances, the ME may sign both the death certificate and the approval.
This paperwork can come together as quickly as a couple of business days. But more often, plan for 5-8 business days to allow for busy schedules.
Does Cremation Take Longer Depending On Which State You Die In?
Whether you die in Texas, California, Florida, New York, or Ohio, the amount of time needed for authorization and cremation is about the same. The most significant factor in obtaining the necessary paperwork is the time of year.
For example, the doctor’s office may be lightly staffed if you die around the holidays. So getting a valid signature is a bit harder. However, although states have different rules surrounding death and disposition, the processing times are very similar.
After Approval, How Long Does The Actual Cremation Take?
It takes one to three hours to cremate a human body. Several factors dictate the length of time.
- The efficiency of the cremation equipment
- The size or weight of the body
- How much body fat a person has compared to the amount of lean muscle
- The starting temperature of the cremation chamber (Is it cold from sitting overnight, or was it used earlier in the day?
- The type of cremation container (heavy cardboard or combustible casket)
Do You Have Clothes On When You Get Cremated?
You can have clothes on when you get cremated. Or you can remain in a hospital gown, pajamas, or whatever you wore when the death occurred. If you are naked upon death and your family chooses direct cremation, you are cremated naked.
If your family chooses a traditional funeral, with the body present, before cremation, then the funeral home will dress your loved one in the funeral clothes you provide. The body will remain in those clothes for the cremation. However, the crematory operator or funeral director may remove unsafe (metal) items for the process.
Even without a funeral ceremony, you can take a special outfit to the funeral home for your loved one to wear. But remember that if you’ve selected a direct cremation, extra charges may apply for dressing.
Bodies are placed in a cremation container or casket for the process, regardless of what they wear. This container burns quickly with no metal parts.
Do Bodies Sit Up During Cremation?
Yes, it is possible for bodies partially to sit up or move during cremation. Because of the heat, muscles dehydrate and contract, which may cause the body to move slightly. However, the efficiency of modern cremation chambers decreases the likelihood of any movement.
And it’s important to remember this perceived motion from muscles stiffening in no way indicates life or pain. Instead, it is simply a natural reaction to heat.
Does A Body Get Drained Before Cremation?
No, a body does not get drained before cremation. This is a common question for families with a loved one cremated. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about what cremation is or isn’t, so I’m grateful you’re trying to stay informed.
In the simplest terms, when a body gets embalmed, the natural bodily fluids are exchanged for a chemical preservation solution. In essence, fluids are drained and replaced during embalming. However, no liquids are drained before cremation, whether or not the body is embalmed.
How Long Does It Take To Get Ashes After Cremation?
Once the cremation is complete, the operator waits for the chamber to cool down. Then they process the remaining bone fragments and place the remains in a plastic-lined and properly labeled temporary urn.
It is common for several funeral homes to use one main crematory, so it may take a day or two after the cremation for the urn to return to your funeral director. Once back in their possession, the funeral director will transfer the remains into your selected urn/s, cremation jewelry, or any other agreed-upon separation.
Then the director will call your family to arrange a time for pickup. Depending on schedules, you may expect to receive the urn approximately three or four days after the cremation. Occasionally, it may take longer, and since exceptional circumstances occur, stay in close contact with your funeral director when time is of the essence.
If your family plans to have the cremated remains interred at a cemetery, you can make arrangements with the funeral home to deliver them directly. This saves the step of picking up the urn yourself.
What About Cremation And Our Pets?
As with human cremation, you may question what happens to your beloved pets when they die. The process is much simpler since there isn’t much paperwork. You enter into a contract with the pet crematory and pay their fee. Your veterinarian’s office can usually act on your behalf for the cremation.
How Long Does Cremation Take For A Dog?
The answer for how long cremation takes for a dog depends primarily on your dog’s size. Larger dogs take longer, while smaller dogs are cremated more quickly. On average, it takes 45 minutes to 2 hours to cremate an animal. You will probably get your dog’s ashes within 3-5 business days after death.
You are twice as likely to bury your pet in America over having them cremated. However, the practice is growing. Pet cremation allows parents of young children to explain death’s processes. So when the time comes for a family death to happen, the child has a better understanding.
If you’re looking for backyard burial ideas whether or not your pet was cremated, check out my article.
What Does Pet Cremation Cost?
Pet cremation costs are based on the animal’s size and whether they are cremated privately or communally with other animals. For example, pets between 0 and 40 pounds cost about $140 to cremate alone. Communally, the same small pet may cost about $40-$60.
- Private animal cremation means that your dog, cat, or even your hamster is cremated alone and is the only pet in the cremation chamber. Private cremation is the most expensive option and can cost up to $250-$300 for larger dogs.
- Partitioned or Segmented cremation refers to pets cremated together but kept separate or partitioned. This choice means you still get your pet’s ashes back, but there’s the chance of comingling cremated remains with other animals in the chamber. This choice costs between $50 and $150, on average.
- Communal animal cremation is the most common practice when owners don’t want their pet’s ashes back. It is also the most affordable option, with costs ranging from $40 to $80.
Additional fees for dog and pet cremation are urns, cremation jewelry, and pet paw imprints. Each of these items comes with its related costs. For example, pet urns and cremation jewelry costs start at $35 and rise in price to as much as you want to spend.
Likewise, the pet pawprint industry also has many options. For example, get a necklace made with your dog’s pawprint for about $35 on Etsy. You can also opt for a plaster-cast impression from your veterinarian for around the same price.
Conclusion: How Long Does Cremation Take?
Cremation takes one to three weeks for the paperwork process and then another few hours for the procedure. Afterward, the funeral director transfers your loved one’s ashes from the temporary container to your selected urn. And then, finally, they call you to set a time for pickup.
The process is longer than the words “direct cremation” imply. But they are referring to the services offered rather than a timeline. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comment section.
