Understanding the Cremation Process

At Forest Lawn Memorial We always: Detailing the Process Park we strive to maintain • Abide by Government regulations, high standards of beauty, including those of the State Government Following the funeral service, the coffin is Health Department* moved to the crematorium. peace and tranquillity. • Follow our own strict policies, procedures Once accepted by crematorium staff the and code of behaviour coffin remains sealed throughout the We believe it is a privilege cremation process. • Ensure the name plate remains alongside to serve families and in so the deceased throughout the cremation Verification of deceased process doing we take the utmost Staff verify the identity of the deceased care and respect, which is • Ensure cremated remains of an individual via the name plate on the coffin, ensuring reflected in how we deal with are kept together and not mixed with the details match the ‘Application for other cremated remains Cremation’ (the document required by a loved one throughout the Health Department Regulations* before • Bury unclaimed cremated remains in a a cremation can take place) and the cremation process. dignified manner within the grounds of Medical Certificate or Coroner’s Cremation the crematorium Permit received from the funeral director. In all cases, only one deceased is cremated In addition to confirmation of death the at a time (unless there are extenuating medical certificate indicates if battery circumstances and then only with the powered devices (such as a pacemaker) approval and knowledge of the family and have been removed. in accordance with Health Department Regulations*). * Only applicable in NSW Understanding the Cremation Process

In accordance with Health Department to a fine granule type consistency which Regulations*, coffins must be cremated in turn is placed in a sealed container. The individually, in other words, only one coffin name plate and an identifying label are is ever placed inside the main cremation attached. chamber at any one time. Likewise there The container accommodates all of the may only be one body per coffin except cremated remains. In the unusual event in special circumstances which require that an ash container is insufficient to hold permission from the Director General of all of the ashes, an extra container is used. Health. Ash containers are held until instructions At the completion of the main phase of the are received from the applicant or their cremation process the cremated remains nominated representative. The ashes are moved into the holding chamber to are then, subject to Health Department Flowers • Any items that may hinder the cremation finalise the cremation. Once finalised, the process are removed such as metal Regulations*, dealt with according to the Flowers remaining with the coffin at this stage cremated remains are placed into a cooling handles instruction given. are carefully disposed. Families should ask container. When cooled, metallic contents their funeral director during the arrangement • The name plate is removed, and placed (prostheses, coffin nails etc) are separated Unclaimed ashes process if they wish to retain flowers following from the remains. alongside the cremator, for identification Should no instructions be received within the funeral service. throughout the process Cremated remains or ashes a reasonable time (approximately 12 When will the cremation occur? • The coffin is inserted into the cremator. months), in line with Health Department Commonly cremated remains are referred Regulations*, unclaimed cremated remains The cremation will generally be carried In all cases, the coffin and deceased are to as ‘ashes’. However, technically there are interred within the grounds of the out on the same day as the funeral service cremated together. are no ashes, what are left are the fragile crematorium. but, in accordance with Health Department calcified bone fragments. guidelines*, can occur up to 48 hours later. If Cremation begins immediately once the the cremation is not to occur immediately, the coffin is inserted into the cremator. • Radioactive ashes are treated differently coffin is held in a refrigerated holding room. – further details can be provided by your The cremation process Advisor. Forest Lawn Memorial Park Preparation for cremation Cremators generally comprise of a main Ash container Camden Valley Way cremating chamber, a secondary air When cremation is due to occur: Leppington NSW 2179 • The coffin is transferred onto an insertion chamber and a holding chamber. The The cremated remains are transferred to a trolley coffin is cremated within the main chamber. processor to reduce the bone fragments Phone (02) 9606 5822 [email protected] forestlawn.com.au