Why Does Cremation Take So Long

You may have questions regarding cremation, why does cremation take so long? if you have a loved one who has requested it or if you’re looking into it as part of your own end-of-life preparation. We’ve developed a list of frequently asked questions to assist you better understanding the process, the time frame involved, and how to collect ashes afterward.

What is the time frame for a cremation?

From start to completion, the cremation process can take anything from four days to two weeks, including any waiting period, authorization, and the actual cremation. The actual cremation takes three to four hours, plus one to two hours for processing.

When a body is burned, the ashes are usually returned to the family within seven to 10 days.

Why does cremation take so long?

“How long does it take to be cremated?” ” It mostly depends on where you live, as waiting times, authorization processes, and documentation requirements differ by state. When your loved one dies away, you may contact a cremation, which will take care of the remains in their facilities while you take care of the necessary paperwork.

Here are some things to think about before you start planning a cremation:

Death certificate

The death certificate must be lodged with your local registrar before cremation may be booked. The filing of a death certificate is governed by state laws. It must be filed online in California, for example, and the processing time might be several days. In most cases, the death certificate will be submitted within 72 hours after the crematorium contacts the doctor for it. The death certificate may be delayed by up to a week if the coroner is engaging in a post-mortem examination into the cause of death.

Waiting periods

Some states mandate a waiting period before cremation, while others demand that it be completed within a specified amount of time. Why does cremation take so long? Texas, for instance, has a 48-hour wait time while Illinois has a 24-hour wait time. Minnesota, on the other hand, requires cremation to take place within six days if refrigeration is available, or 72 hours if it is not.

This waiting period is frequently taken up by the time it takes to get a death certificate. To find out about waiting periods in your location, look into your local legislation.

Authorization for cremation

You’ll need cremation consent from the person who has the ability to sign off on the process, even if your loved one requested cremation in their end-of-life desires. This varies by state, although it frequently falls to the person named as Power of Attorney or the deceased’s spouse. If neither of these is present, the surviving children are in charge.

Making arrangements for the cremation

Cremation can be planned when the death certificate has been filed and the required authorization has been acquired. The family usually decides on the timing of the cremation. Families that wish to see the corpse or have a religious service before the cremation can typically do so; check with your cremation business for further information on their regulations. Ideally, the cremation will take place immediately following the funeral or the next day.

Weekends and holidays should also be considered when determining how long a cremation will take. Some crematoriums charge an additional cost for services on certain days, while many do not. Keep in mind that most timeframes are measured in business days, not seven days a week when organizing a cremation.

Finally, depending on the size of your loved one, the coffin material, and the kind of cremation, the cremation might take anywhere from three to four hours. After the cremation, the cremains must be processed, which takes another one to two hours.

How long does it take to get cremation ashes?

It’s extremely simple to collect ashes following a cremation. Your crematorium will arrange for them to be delivered to you on a specific date and time. This can take anywhere from seven to 10 days, therefore it accounts for a significant portion of the whole cremation timeline. You may be able to pick them up the day following the cremation from the crematorium.

During your cremation planning, you most likely selected an urn, box, or other closed receptacles. If no receptacle is selected, the cremains is frequently dumped into a plastic bag and placed inside a box. Because crematoriums are obligated to store the ashes safely in a robust container with a cover, this is the case. If you plan to divide or spread the ashes, or if you’re not sure what to do with them yet, this is the choice to go with.

You can arrange for the ashes to be carried to the ultimate resting place if you wish to enter them in a cemetery.

What am I supposed to do with the ashes once I’ve received them?

There are a variety of alternatives for what to do with a person’s ashes; it all depends on how you wish to remember your loved one. Many people make the decision to:

• Place the urn in a prominent location in their house so that the entire family can see it when they are together.
• Cremation jewelry allows people to keep their loved ones close at all times.
• Scatter ashes in a significant location, such as a national park or the sea.
• Choose a tree in a memorial forest that is both secluded and protected.

One of the most difficult occasions for mourning friends and family is collecting ashes after the cremation and deciding what to do with them. We hope that this information may provide you comfort as you make tough end-of-life decisions.