When the funeral ends and family and friends say their final goodbyes, many people wonder what happens next — especially when cremation is the chosen method. Understanding the cremation process helps bring peace of mind and answers to common questions about what happens after the funeral, how a body is cremated, and what remains afterward.
In this article, we’ll take you through the step-by-step cremation process, including how the body is prepared, how long a cremation takes, what temperatures are involved, what cremation ashes look like, and what happens to items like hip and knee replacements.
Trigger Warning – Maybe avoid this if recently bereaved or you are of a sensitive nature.
What Happens After a Funeral If You Choose Cremation?
Once a funeral or memorial service concludes, the deceased is respectfully transferred to a licensed crematorium. From that point, the cremation process begins. Each body is tracked with a unique identification tag to ensure that the correct cremation ashes are returned to the family. This is the same for attended and non-attended services.
What Should Not Be Included in a Cremation Coffin?
For safety and environmental reasons, there are strict rules about what can and cannot be cremated with the body. Here are common items that should not be placed in a cremation coffin:
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Batteries (e.g. pacemakers or hearing aids) – Can explode in high heat
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Glass objects – May shatter or damage equipment
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Aerosols or pressurised containers – Pose a fire risk
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Plastic or synthetic materials – Can release harmful fumes
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Electronic devices – Not suitable for incineration
Before cremation, the funeral director will remove any prohibited or dangerous items to ensure safety and compliance with crematorium regulations. Consideration should be given to the family whose person goes behind yours, if any of these materials get into the cremator there is the possibility of transference into their persons ashes.
The Catafalque, upon which the coffin is situated during the service is sometime shrouded by a curtain during the ceremony. Once the ceremony os over, the cremation technicians remove the coffin on a special trolley to be able to place it into the cremator once the ID tag has been checked and transfered.
How Is a Body Cremated?
The cremation process is a scientifically controlled method of body disposal that involves intense heat, not open flames directly. Here’s how it works:
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The body, placed in a cremation-approved coffin, is inserted into a preheated cremation chamber.
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The chamber reaches temperatures between 1400°F and 1800°F (760°C to 980°C).
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Soft tissues are vaporised by the heat, while the coffin helps fuel the combustion.
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Only bone fragments and metal implants remain after the process.
- All gases are extracted by the pipes and machines in the picture to make the process as Carbon neutral as possible. Any Carbon captured is sent away to be ‘cleaned’ and then returned to be used as fuel for the equipment. Wicker and cardboard caskets may be thought of to be ‘green’ alternatives but often produce more chemical output than traditional coffins.
How Long Does a Cremation Take?
A typical cremation takes between 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on several factors including:
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Body size and weight
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Type of coffin or casket
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Cremator temperature and model
After cremation, the chamber is cooled, and the remains are carefully collected.
What Happens to Bones After Cremation?
After the body is cremated, what’s left are calcified bone fragments, not ashes in the traditional sense. These are collected and then placed into a machine called a cremulator, which reduces them to a fine powder.
This is what we commonly call cremation ashes, though technically they are processed bone remains.
What Do Cremation Ashes Look Like?
Cremation ashes are typically:
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Light gray or white in colour, think cat litter and you won’t be far wrong.
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Coarse and powdery in texture
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Weigh around 4 to 6 pounds (1.8 to 2.7 kg) for an average adult
The ashes are returned to the family in a temporary container or urn of their choice.
What Happens to Metal Implants and Artificial Joints?
During cremation, metal implants such as hip replacements, knee joints, and surgical screws do not burn. Here’s what happens:
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After cremation, metal items are separated from the ashes using magnets and manual tools.
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Metals like titanium and steel are collected.
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Many crematoriums recycle these materials through specialised programs. Proceeds are often donated to charities or reinvested into sustainability efforts.
Families are typically informed about this process during the cremation planning stage. I always advise families that any jewellery is removed from their person, that they won’t need to be wearing their glasses and that, if there is ever a time when a woman doesn’t need to be troubled by an underwired bra, its now.
Final Steps: Returning the Cremated Remains
Once the cremation is complete:
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The cremated remains (ashes) are placed in a sealed container or urn.
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The ashes are returned to the family or funeral provider.
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Loved ones can choose to:
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Scatter the ashes in a meaningful location
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Bury the ashes in a plot or columbarium
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Keep the urn at home
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Create memorial jewellery or keepsakes
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Summary: What to Expect After Cremation
Choosing cremation is a deeply personal decision. By understanding the full process — from the funeral to the return of the ashes — families can make informed choices with clarity and peace.
Key Takeaways:
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Cremation takes place at high temperatures (1400°F–1800°F) and lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours.
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Items like batteries, glass, and pressurised containers should never be included in a cremation coffin.
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What remains are processed bone fragments, returned as fine, light-coloured ashes.
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Metal implants are removed and recycled after cremation.
Looking for Cremation Advice or Planning Help?
If you’re planning a cremation or want more information about funeral and cremation services, feel free to reach out or explore our other articles on end-of-life planning, urn options, and memorial ideas.
Please do reach out, I’d be happy to help in any way I can.
Written in conjunction with ChatGPT after an Open Day at Three counties Crematorium – all photos are from there apart from my mother-in-laws ashes in a basket on my sofa.
Tags: cremation process, what happens after cremation, cremation ashes, cremation temperature, metal implants cremation, funeral planning, what not to cremate, cremation time
