Cremation is a controlled process where, by UK law, the sealed coffin holding the person is placed alone in a cremator heated to around 900 °C; after 90–120 minutes only dry bone fragments remain, which are then cooled, refined to a fine ash and returned to the family. Strict identity checks, temperature controls and environmental filters safeguard dignity, legality and the air we breathe, while the rule of “one coffin, one chamber” guarantees you receive only your loved one’s ashes.
If you have ever wondered exactly what happens between the moment the curtain closes and the ashes reach your hands, this step-by-step guide will answer every question without euphemisms or sensationalism. We will walk through the paperwork, preparation of the deceased, the minute-by-minute journey inside the crematorium, and what happens to metal implants, the coffin and the bones. You will also see typical timings, costs, environmental facts and reassuring answers to the sensitive questions people often hesitate to ask.
At a Glance: Fast Facts About Cremation in the UK
Short on time? The snapshot below answers the most-googled questions about what happens during cremation and why so many British families now choose it.
- 🔥 Average time inside the cremator: 90 – 120 minutes at 870 – 980 °C
- ❄️ Cooling and ash processing: ≈ 60 minutes after the flames are off
- ⚖️ Weight of adult ashes returned: 2 – 4 kg (about a standard carrier bag)
- 👥 One coffin only in each cremator – any other practice is illegal
- 📈 79 % of UK funerals involve cremation (ONS 2024 provisional data)
- 🌱 Alternatives: earth burial, natural woodland burial and water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis is still on limited trial in the UK)
- 💷 Typical spend: £995 for an unattended direct cremation, £3,600 + for a full attended service
- 👍 Top reasons families pick cremation: lower cost, flexible memorial timing, smaller carbon footprint and freedom to scatter or keep the ashes
Reader tip
A loved one feels no pain during cremation, and modern abatement systems stop smoke or odour escaping the chimney, so neighbouring air stays clean.
Legal & Administrative Steps Before Cremation
UK law demands clear paperwork proving identity, cause of death and family consent before a cremation can proceed. It feels daunting while you are grieving, but tackled step by step it is manageable.
Registering the death and obtaining the Green Form
You must visit the local register office within five days (eight in Scotland). The registrar issues Green Form 9, authorising burial or cremation. When a coroner investigates, their yellow Form 6 replaces the Green Form and removes the five-day deadline.
Medical certification and cremation forms (Cremation 1, 4 & 5 or 100 series in Scotland)
Separate to registration, relatives sign Cremation Form 1. The GP or hospital doctor completes Form 4; an independent second doctor reviews the notes and signs Form 5. A crematorium medical referee checks both before authority is granted. Scotland uses electronic Forms 100A/100B. Covid briefly paused the second signature, but it’s now restored.
Choosing cremation type: attended, witnessed or direct
Your choice sets the timetable and fee. Attended cremation includes a chapel service. Witnessed means one or two relatives see the coffin charged. Direct cremation skips both, is booked in a quiet slot and typically saves several hundred pounds.
Identification and tracking procedures
From the mortuary onwards, the deceased receives a wrist tag bearing their name and barcode. The coffin carries a matching card that follows it through transport, refrigeration and the cremator logbook. The identity card stays with the remains until the processed ashes are sealed.
Optional embalming and viewing
Embalming is not compulsory for cremation and, with swift direct cremations, is rarely needed. It may be advised if a public viewing or overseas repatriation is planned because it slows natural changes. Expect roughly £150–£250 and allow extra time before the coffin is sealed.
Preparing the Deceased and Coffin
Once the green-light paperwork is in place, the funeral team turns its attention to respectful preparation. These practical steps happen behind the scenes in a private mortuary and are designed to honour the person, protect staff safety and ensure the cremation chamber runs efficiently.
Washing, dressing and personal presentation
Trained mortuary technicians first complete a gentle wash with hospital-grade shampoo and soap. Hair is combed, facial stubble removed if wished, and any wounds are discreetly covered. Families may supply favourite clothes, a football shirt or a simple cotton gown; shrouds are also common in some faiths. Personal rituals—placing a wedding ring on a chain, tucking in a soft toy—can usually be accommodated if they won’t compromise the cremator.
Removal of medical devices and jewellery
Anything that could explode, melt or contaminate emissions must come out before the coffin is sealed:
- Pacemakers and defibrillators
- Internal drug pumps
- Radioactive implants (rare; delays may apply)
Rings, earrings and watches are removed only at the family’s request; otherwise they are cremated and any remaining metal is later recycled. Metal hips, knees and dental fillings stay in place—they pose no hazard and are separated from the ashes afterwards.
Selecting or supplying the coffin
UK regulations insist on a combustible coffin free from lead or zinc. Most funeral homes stock veneered chipboard, wicker, bamboo or cardboard. Simpler options suit direct cremation, look like sturdy kraft paper and bear a printed nameplate. All coffins have tiny ventilation holes and water-based glues to help rapid, clean combustion.
Transfer to the crematorium
The prepared coffin is placed in a refrigerated holding room until its booked slot. A private ambulance or estate vehicle conveys it to the crematorium, where staff log the barcode and store it temporarily in a cool chapel of rest. On the day, it is moved onto a wheeled bier ready for the charging equipment—completing the preparation phase of what happens during cremation.
Inside the Crematorium: Step-by-Step Process
With paperwork complete and the coffin safely delivered, the centre-stage action of what happens during cremation now moves inside the [crematorium](https://godirectcremations.co.uk/caico-brazil/). Modern UK sites run like clean little factories, balancing dignity with tight environmental rules.
Arrival, committal and loading (“charging”)
Staff check the barcode and nameplate once more, then wheel the coffin onto a raised platform called a catafalque. If family are present, this is the brief final “committal” moment before curtains close. Behind the scenes, a mechanical charger slides the coffin into the pre-heated chamber, usually 870–980 °C. Only when the door is sealed does the timer start; temperature is held steady to protect the refractory brick lining.
Primary combustion phase
For the first 10–15 minutes the wooden coffin itself ignites, providing much of the heat needed. Soft tissues vapourise, organs dehydrate and, by about the 60-minute mark, only chalk-white, brittle bone fragments remain. Airflow and flame are computer-controlled so nothing erupts or crackles dramatically.
Secondary chamber and pollution controls
Hot gases travel to a second chamber where they are re-burned at roughly 1,100 °C. Activated-carbon and ceramic filters capture soot, mercury from dental fillings and any odour molecules. All UK crematoria must log emissions data to meet DEFRA’s 2023 abatement standards.
Cooling and raking out remains
After 90–120 minutes the burner shuts down and the door opens. A long, hoe-like rake pulls the glowing bone fragments into a steel cooling tray. They rest 30–40 minutes in an enclosed cabinet until safe to touch.
Processing in the cremulator
Cooled remains are tipped into a magnetised hopper that lifts out nails and coffin screws. A spinning blade then reduces the fragments to a consistent powder—usually under 60 seconds—yielding the recognisable “ashes”.
Final verification and packaging
The identity card that entered with the coffin now sits on the finished ashes for a last cross-check. Staff record the weight (typically 2–4 kg), seal the powder in a biodegradable poly-bag, and place it inside the supplied urn or a simple cardboard container. A printed Certificate of Cremation is attached, ready for collection or courier delivery.
What Happens to the Coffin, Bones and Metals? Common Concerns Explained
Myths flourish around the fiery part of what happens during cremation, yet the reality is far more routine and closely regulated. The points below clear up the questions families ask us most often.
Does the coffin burn with the body?
Yes. UK law forbids re-using a coffin, so it stays with the deceased from chapel to chamber. Soft woods and eco-boards ignite quickly, providing much of the heat needed. Any metal fittings or screws either melt into tiny beads or are lifted out later by a magnet before the ashes are packaged.
Which parts of the body don’t burn?
Muscle and organs vapourise, but hard calcium bones remain, albeit chalky and fragile. Larger pieces such as the skull, femur and pelvis survive the flames; the cremulator then grinds them into the fine powder that families recognise as “ashes”.
Do any noises or movements occur?
The deceased feels nothing. Bodies cannot “sit up” or scream. The worst sound engineers hear is the occasional soft pop as trapped air or small bone joints expand in the heat.
Are multiple bodies ever cremated together?
No—except in the special case of stillborn twins when parents request it. Strict cremator logbooks, CCTV and random audits make sure only one coffin is in a chamber at any time.
How are pacemakers and implants handled?
Explosive devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators and radioactive seeds are removed beforehand. After cooling, surgical metals are separated and sent to national recycling schemes, with proceeds often donated to medical charities.
After the Cremation: Ashes, Memorial Options and Next Steps
When the practical side of what happens during cremation ends, families move on to decisions that are far more personal. The ashes ‑ technically cremated bone powder – can be collected, scattered, stored, or turned into keepsakes. None of these choices has to be made immediately, so take the time you need.
Collecting the ashes
A nominated next-of-kin or executor shows photo ID and signs the crematorium register before taking custody. Most sites ask for 24–48 hours to finish cooling, record-keeping and packaging. If you live far away, ashes can be couriered by specialist carriers (about £75–£100) or, in England and Wales, sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery in the approved “cremated remains” box.
Scattering and interment rules
UK law permits scattering on your own land, inland waterways and coastal waters, but you must have the landowner’s OK if it isn’t yours. Churchyards and municipal cemeteries usually offer a dedicated garden of remembrance for a modest fee. Take a biodegradable scattering tube, watch the wind direction, and keep any ceremony brief on public ground.
Keeping ashes at home or in jewellery
Ashes are dry and inert, yet they absorb moisture over time. Keep the sealed bag inside an urn made for at least three litres of volume (roughly one cubic inch per pound of body weight). Mini-urns and ash pendants hold a teaspoonful, offering a way to share remains among relatives.
Planning a separate memorial or celebration of life
Because a direct cremation has no formal service, many families hold a gathering weeks or months later. Popular venues include village halls, woodland clearings, favourite pubs or even a back garden. Slide shows, memory boards, a playlist of treasured songs and the ceremonial scattering of ashes all help create a meaningful farewell.
Eco-friendly and alternative options
Looking for a greener tribute? Plant ashes in a bio-urn that germinates a young tree, have them pressed into glass art or reef blocks, or reserve a plot in a natural burial meadow for future interment. Water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis) is on limited UK trial, but may soon offer an even lower-carbon alternative.
Time, Costs and Environmental Impact
Knowing the clock, the cost and the carbon helps you plan with eyes wide open. Figures below are UK averages; individual crematoria and funeral directors will vary, so always ask for a written quote.
How long does cremation really take from start to finish?
- Booking slot: 1–14 days after paperwork is approved
- Chapel or committal service: 20–40 min
- In-chamber combustion: 90–120 min
- Cooling, cremulation & admin: ~60 min
- Ashes ready to collect: usually within 24–48 h
Door-to-door, a straightforward direct cremation can be completed inside a week, while busy urban sites may stretch the timeline to two.
Typical UK costs and how to keep them down
| Item | Attended service | Direct cremation |
|---|---|---|
| Crematorium fee | £800–£1,200 | £300–£600 (off-peak) |
| Doctor’s certificates | £82 | £82 |
| Coffin | £400–£1,000 | £120–£250 |
| Celebrant / minister | £200–£250 | £0 |
| Funeral director package | £2,000 + | £500–£750 |
| Typical total | ≈ £3,600–£4,500 | ≈ £995–£1,600 |
Money-savers: choose a weekday morning slot, supply your own simple coffin, provide pall-bearers and skip printed orders of service.
Carbon footprint and greener choices
A flame cremation produces roughly 160 kg CO₂-e, comparable to a 500-mile car journey. Opt for:
- High-efficiency, mercury-filtered crematoria
- Cardboard or wicker coffins (lower embodied energy)
- Planting a memorial tree or buying a verified carbon offset
Future option: alkaline hydrolysis uses water and alkali, cutting emissions by up to 90 %, but is still awaiting wider UK licensing.
Choosing a reputable provider
Check that the company:
- Gives a full price list upfront, including “extras”
- Uses only licensed, inspected crematoria
- Offers 24/7 phone support and clear ID tracking
- Has contingency plans for out-of-hours collections or oversized coffins
If anything feels vague or rushed, keep shopping—transparency is your best safeguard when organising a dignified, affordable send-off.
Cremation FAQs Answered
Below are the blunt, honest answers to the questions people type into Google at 3 a.m. All are based on current UK regulations and everyday experience inside the crematorium.
Can you feel anything during cremation?
No. Death ends nerve activity, so there is no pain or awareness once the process begins.
Do you get drained before cremation?
Bodies are not routinely drained. Embalming ‑ which replaces blood with preservative fluid ‑ happens only if a public viewing or long delay is planned and is entirely optional.
How long does a body take to cremate?
The active burn inside the chamber lasts 90–120 minutes for an adult, depending on BMI, coffin material and cremator design.
Do they burn the coffin?
Yes. UK law forbids coffin re-use. The wood or cardboard provides the initial fuel, and any remaining metal fittings are magnetically removed from the cooled ashes.
What body parts don’t burn?
Soft tissue vapourises; calcified bones (skull, femur, pelvis) survive as brittle fragments. These are reduced to powder in the cremulator so the final ashes fit a standard urn.
How many bodies are cremated at once?
One coffin per chamber, no exceptions, except stillborn twins if parents request. Logbooks, CCTV and inspection audits enforce this rule.
Can I witness the cremation?
Most UK crematoria allow up to two relatives to watch the coffin being “charged”. Arrange this when booking; a small extra fee and protective clothing may apply.
What paperwork do I need to scatter ashes abroad?
Ask the crematorium for a Certificate of Cremation and keep the sealed container intact. Airlines may also request a copy of the death certificate and advance notice for security screening.
Still curious about what happens during cremation? Speak to the crematorium manager—most are happy to explain the machinery and safeguards in plain English.
Key Takeaways
Cremation in the UK is a one-body-per-chamber process governed by strict paperwork and medical checks. After registration, the funeral team wash, dress and place the deceased in a fully combustible coffin; explosive implants are removed, jewellery is your choice. The coffin is charged into a 900 °C cremator for 90–120 minutes, after which cooled bone fragments are refined to 2–4 kg of ash and returned within 48 hours, complete with a Certificate of Cremation. DEFRA-approved filters curb mercury and smoke, and a direct cremation can keep the bill below £1,100 while generating a smaller carbon footprint than burial.
If you want a simple, dignified farewell without the stress or expense of a full service, take a look at Go Direct Cremations.
