Cremation Myths

Most Religions Forbid Cremation

Something we often hear from families when making funeral arrangements is that their religion forbids cremation. Depending on your religion, this may or may not be true. For instance, in religions like Judaism and Islam, cremation is not practiced. Over time, certain churches have changed their stance on the issue. The Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Church for example allow cremation but still prefer burial. If you’re unsure about your faith’s view on cremation, talk about it with your religious leader for further clarity.  

Cremation Involves Lighting the Body on Fire

One of the most misguided cremation myths is that the body is set on fire. The cremation process uses flames to create extreme heat in a specially designed furnace. During the cremation process, the furnace (also called a retort) reaches temperatures around 1800° F. The heat in the furnace reduces the body to gases and bone fragments, which are then placed in an electric processor which converts them to the ashes. At no point is the body set on fire. 

You Can’t Have a Traditional Funeral If You Choose Cremation

Just because you’ve selected cremation, doesn’t mean you can’t plan a traditional funeral. Many families choose to have the remains cremated and then hold a funeral or memorial service afterwards with the urn present. Another popular choice is to hold a traditional funeral before the cremation. Once the cremated remains have been returned to you, they can be buried or scattered at most cemeteries. 

You Might Get Someone Else’s Ashes

Cremation Results in Ashes

Although the term ‘ashes’ is often used to describe cremated remains, what is left after cremation is not ashes. The remains themselves resemble coarse sand, with an off-white/ gray color. The cremated remains that are returned to your family are actually bone fragments that have been processed down to resemble ashes. The cremation process does not actually burn the body and reduce it to ashes like a fire when it burns wood.  

Scattering Ashes Is an Illegal Practice

Some families will choose to forego cremation because they believe that spreading ashes is illegal. While there are certain public spaces where it’s illegal to spread ashes, there are also many public and private areas where it is permitted. If you’re interested in scattering your loved one’s ashes, make sure to consult with your local government and agencies about any restrictions or requirements. Likewise, if you plan to scatter ashes on private land, make sure that you receive written permission from the landowner beforehand.