When a person dies, what happens to their body? How long does it take the cremation to occur? If the cremation occurs, what happens next? Here are all the details about how cremation services in Hanahan, SC are performed after a loved one dies. 

Initially, a funeral home or crematory will pick up the deceased. If you choose to have the body cremated, the funeral home or crematory of your choice will usually pick up the body and bring it there. 

How Does Cremation Work? 

Upon arrival, it will either be placed in a preparation room or in refrigeration. Following that will be the planning of the service. A funeral director or cremation company will then meet with the bereaved to plan the funeral service, if desired, and to arrange cremation details. 

Body decomposition is slowed by keeping it in a refrigerator between 36 and 39 degrees. If a deceased person or a bereaved person chooses direct cremation, their bodies will remain refrigerated until their cremation. They would prepare the body for embalming if they held the viewing in public. In order to prevent melting or explosions during the cremation process, the cremation provider will prepare the body by removing all jewelry and pacemakers. Many medical devices are recycled or returned to a family when they are no longer needed. 

How Does Direct Cremation Work? 

Direct cremation does not require any additional preparation if it is chosen by the deceased or his family. The body will be embalmed, washed, dried, dressed, and placed in a casket if the family decides to have a public viewing. Next, identity information will be obtained. During preparation, a family member or next-of-kin will fill out an ID Verification form to confirm that the body has been appropriately identified and is ready to be cremated or viewed at a memorial service. Funeral directors and cremation providers will be happy to walk you through the process. 

Are All Cremations The Same? 

Every facility and state follow different procedures. The cremation itself is the final step. A cremation container is placed on the body after it has been identified and after any services. 

As a cremation container, solid wood caskets or corrugated cardboard boxes are available, both of which are designed for cremations. Following this, the cremation container is placed inside the chamber, which is then heated between 1400 and 2000 degrees for two hours. A family member may observe the cremation taking place in certain crematories. Please contact us for more information. We are here to work with you. Upon cremation, the remains are turned into ashes. The family will receive the powdered remains in an urn or other container of their choice. 

When it comes time to plan cremation services in Hanahan, SC for a loved one, be sure to think about the process. Some people are nervous about cremation because they aren’t familiar with the process. If you need help making your plans for a cremation service, reach out to us. We are here to help you.