What Remains After Cremation: An In-Depth Exploration
The question of what is left behind after cremation has always intrigued those who wish to understand the final stages of a life's journey. In this exploration, we will delve into the specifics of what cremation leaves behind, from the physical remains to the symbolic significance of these ashes.
Understanding Cremation
Cremation is a process where a deceased body is subjected to intense heat, typically reaching temperatures around 1400 degrees Fahrenheit, to reduce the body to bone fragments and ashes. This process not only reflects a choice by the deceased or their family but also aligns with certain cultural and personal beliefs about death and burial.
Physical Remains During Cremation
During the cremation process, the entire body is exposed to intense heat. However, some parts of the body, particularly those that are denser, such as bones, often remain intact. These remainders, known as cremains, are carefully transferred into a specialized equipment designed to reduce them to a fine, ash-like consistency.
Iron enough to make a nail,
Lime enough to paint a wall,
Water enough to drown a dog,
Sulphur enough to stop the fleas,
Potash enough to wash a shirt,
Gold enough to buy a b,
Silver enough to coat a pin,
Lead enough to ballast a bird,
Phosphor enough to light the town,
Poison enough to kill a cow,
Strength enough to build a home,
Time enough to hold a child,
Love enough to break a heart.
This poem illustrates the vastness of what the body contains, even after intense heat and the removal of many lighter elements.
The Cremains Themselves
Cremains, also commonly known as ashes, are the final stages of the cremation process. They are typically what is placed in decorative urns for the family to keep or scatter.
According to Wikipedia on cremation, the remains consist of mostly dry calcium phosphates and some minor minerals such as salts of sodium and potassium. Sulfur and most carbon are driven off as oxidized gases with a relatively small amount of carbon remaining as carbonate. This residue represents roughly 3.5% of the body's original mass, approximately 2.5% in children.
The ash remaining after the cremation process is nowhere near the volume of the previous whole body, as the vast majority of the body's mass (around 70%) is made up of water that is separated during the incineration process.
From Cremation to Ashes: A Scientific Breakdown
The cremation process begins with the introduction of the body into a cremation chamber where it is subjected to temperatures reaching 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. This heat causes the rapid breakdown of the body, with the organic components, such as skin, muscle, and fat, being combusted, leaving mainly the inorganic remains — primarily the skeletal structure.
The inorganic remains, including bones and teeth, are further reduced to a fine, ash-like consistency. This process typically takes several hours, depending on the size and weight of the body. The crematorium operator then sifts through the ashes to remove any unburnt bone fragments, which are then ground into a fine powder.
Symbolism and Cultural Significance
The physical remains left after cremation carry significant symbolic weight. In many cultures, these ashes are believed to represent the departed soul or spirit. They are often seen as a way to honor the deceased and provide a tangible connection to the past.
Common practices include scattering the ashes in a meaningful location, such as a garden, a favorite park, or a body of water. Others may choose to keep the ashes in a decorative urn, allowing them to stay close to the memory of the loved one.
Conclusion
What remains after cremation is a complex mixture of inorganic material, primarily calcium phosphates, along with other minerals. This process transforms the body into ashes, a symbolic reminder of the cycle of life and death. The final remains, whether scattered or placed in an urn, carry with them the deep emotional and cultural significance that defines our understanding of the end of life's journey.
Keywords: cremains, ashes, remains, cremation process, calcium phosphates