Cremation has emerged as Australia's preferred choice over traditional burial, driven by its affordability, environmental consciousness, and alignment with individual preferences. This shift towards cremation highlights the growing recognition of its benefits, including cost-effectiveness, and the freedom to honour loved ones in personalised ways.
In Australia about 75% of funerals are cremations, while 22% of the nation’s deaths result in direct cremation (a cremation without an accompanying funeral service). And those trends are growing quickly each year.
A direct cremation is a common type of cremation that doesn't involve formal ceremonies or viewings, leaving many wondering about what happens behind the scenes. As the deceased is taken directly to the crematory, you might ask yourself: What actually takes place during the process of direct cremation? In this article, we will provide information about the crematorium process in Victoria and shed light on how it is carried out.
Understanding cremation.
Cremation is a process that transforms the human body into ashes through the application of intense heat. It is typically conducted in a specially designed facility known as a crematorium. Unlike burial, cremation offers families the flexibility to choose how they wish to commemorate their loved ones while ensuring the preservation of precious memories.
Arranging the cremation.
The cremation process begins with the family or next of kin making arrangements with the chosen funeral director. The funeral director will guide them through the necessary paperwork, legal requirements, and any additional options or services available.
At Bare, we understand this is a very difficult time. We are here to make the funeral process as simple as we can for you. You can read this article for a complete guide to the Bare Cremation process or continue reading the article below.
Cremation process.
In Victoria, cremation is regulated by the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003, ensuring that the procedure is conducted with dignity, respect, and according to legal requirements. Here is a brief overview of the steps involved:
- Documentation and authorisation:
Before cremation can take place, proper documentation and authorisation are required. This includes obtaining a medical cause of death certificate, completing necessary forms, and obtaining permission from the next of kin or authorised representative.
- Identification and preparation:
Preparation involves ensuring that the body is suitably enclosed in a coffin, container or receptacle that complies with requirements under r. 26 of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulations 2015. WIth our arrangements, we include a simple eco-friendly coffin.
It's important to note that in some cases, certain materials may need to be removed or replaced to comply with cremation regulations. Pacemakers and any other mechanical devices with batteries must be removed before the cremation can take place, as they contain combustible chemicals that could explode when exposed to extreme heat.
To avoid any mix-ups, strict identification procedures are followed. The deceased person is assigned a unique identification number, which is cross-checked at every stage of the process.
- Cremation chamber:
The coffin is placed in a specialised cremation chamber, also known as a retort or cremator. A cremation chamber is an industrial furnace lined with fire-resistant bricks. These chambers are designed to reach high temperatures, usually ranging from 760 to 1150 degrees Celsius, depending on the type of equipment used. The heat reduces the body to bone fragments through a combination of intense heat and evaporation.
- Cooling and processing:
The cremation process usually takes several hours. Once the cremation process is complete, the remains are allowed to cool down for a period before being processed. The cooled remains are then carefully removed from the chamber, and any non-combustible materials, such as metals, are separated. The remaining bone fragments are then processed into a fine, sand-like consistency.
- Final resting Place:
The cremated remains or ashes are placed in an urn or container, according to the family's preference. The family can choose to keep the urn at home, place it in a columbarium, bury it in a cremation plot, or scatter the ashes in a designated area, as permitted by local regulations. You can refer to this article for more information on scattering ashes in Victoria.
Memorialisation and final resting place.
Following the cremation, the ashes are carefully collected, placed in an urn, and returned to the family or their designated representative. Families can choose from various options to honour their loved ones' memory, including scattering the ashes in a meaningful location, keeping them at home, interring them in a columbarium or memorial garden, or even incorporating them into personalised memorial jewellery.
How to arrange a Bare Cremation in Victoria.
You can simply call us on 1800 071 176 at any time, 24/7, and one of our arrangers can walk you through the next steps. Our funeral process is simple, dignified and trusted. We keep you updated so you’ll always know where your loved one is until they are returned to you.
If you would like to arrange a Bare Funeral, which can be a more traditional funeral service with a coffin present, or a memorial service that can be arranged after a direct cremation, the choice is completely yours and we are always here to assist you.
What is the Bare Cremation process in Victoria?
- We’ll collect your loved one.
We’ll arrange the collection of your loved one from their place of passing and transport them to Geelong Memorial Park Crematorium located in Geelong East, VIC. We don't charge extra transportation or storage, out of hours transportation, removal of pacemakers, or oversized coffins.
- We’ll arrange the cremation.
We’ll arrange a respectful, private, and dignified cremation, register the death, and order the death certificate.
- We’ll return the ashes to you.
We’ll return the ashes to the next of kin, either by hand, Australia Post (express post) with signature, or collection by the family depending on your location and whichever works best for the family.
- We can help organise a service (optional).
We can help in arranging a memorial service after the ashes have been returned. This service can be customised based on preferences, traditions, or any specific wishes you might have.
We also offer the option to hold a ceremony prior to the cremation in a more traditional style of farewell. Our funeral directors and celebrants are ready to arrange a funeral service that’s right for you and your loved one.
The crematorium process in Victoria, Australia, adheres to strict guidelines and regulations to ensure dignity and respect for the deceased. Cremation offers a flexible and environmentally conscious alternative to traditional burial. Families can choose how to honour their loved ones by selecting the most suitable final resting place. Understanding the crematorium process provides clarity during a difficult time and allows individuals to make informed decisions that align with their beliefs and preferences.
To find out more about Bare Funerals and Cremations visit our website or call us on 1800 071 176.
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