What Happens During Cremation? A Compassionate Guide for Australian Families

What Happens During Cremation? A Compassionate Guide for Australian Families

Understanding what happens during cremation can help families feel more informed and at peace with their decision. This guide provides clear, compassionate, factual information about the cremation process in Australia.

What Is Cremation?

Cremation is the process of reducing a body to its basic elements through the application of intense heat. In Australia, cremation takes place in a purpose-built furnace called a cremation chamber or retort, operated by a licensed crematorium. The process typically takes 2–3 hours.

What Happens to the Coffin During Cremation?

In Australia, a coffin or casket is required for cremation. The coffin is cremated along with the body:

  • The coffin enters the cremation chamber — placed on a trolley or conveyor system.
  • The coffin ignites first — the intense heat (typically 870–980°C) causes the coffin to ignite and burn rapidly.
  • The coffin is fully consumed — within the first 30–45 minutes, the coffin is completely burned.
  • No coffin material remains in the ashes — the ashes returned to the family are entirely from the body.

What Happens to Personal Items Placed in the Coffin?

  • Combustible items — Paper, fabric, flowers will burn completely and leave no residue.
  • Non-combustible items — Metal items will not burn and are typically removed after the process.
  • Pacemakers and medical devices — Must always be removed before cremation as they can explode at high temperatures.
  • Metal implants — Survive the cremation process and are removed and recycled through specialist programs.

What Happens to the Body During Cremation?

  1. The chamber is preheated to approximately 870°C.
  2. The coffin and body are placed in the chamber and the door is sealed.
  3. Primary combustion — the coffin ignites and the body begins to cremate.
  4. Secondary combustion — ensures complete combustion of gases and remaining organic material.
  5. Bone calcification — the remaining bone structure is calcified by the heat.
  6. Cooling — after 2–3 hours, the chamber cools and bone fragments are carefully removed.
  7. Processing — bone fragments are processed in a cremulator to a fine, consistent granular material.
  8. Return to family — ashes are placed in a sealed bag inside a temporary container and returned to the family.

Choosing an Urn After Cremation

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the coffin cremated with the body in Australia?

Yes. In Australia, a coffin is required for cremation and is cremated along with the body.

How long does cremation take in Australia?

The cremation process typically takes 2–3 hours, depending on the size of the individual and the type of coffin.

Are the ashes really from my loved one?

Yes. Australian crematoriums operate under strict regulations. Only one body is cremated at a time, and ashes are carefully tracked throughout the process.

What do I do with the ashes after cremation?

You can keep the ashes in a cremation urn at home, scatter them, bury them, or divide them among family members using keepsake urns or cremation jewellery.