Cremation is a method of final disposition of a dead body through burning. It is an increasingly popular option today, with over 50% of people choosing cremation over burial in some countries. While cremation is a very personal process, many may wonder just how it works on a practical level at a crematorium. Specifically, some may be curious about how many bodies are cremated at the same time.
Overview of Cremation Process
The cremation process begins after a funeral ceremony or memorial service. The deceased is transported to the crematorium in a sturdy cardboard container or cremation casket. Any clothes, jewelry, dental work, or other non-human material is removed from the body first. Pacemakers are also removed as they can explode under the high heat of the cremator.
The crematorium will have one or more cremators, essentially specialized ovens made to incinerate human remains at very high temperatures. The body is placed inside the cremator, which is then sealed shut. Through the combustion process, the body is reduced to bone fragments and ashes.
After cremation, the cremains (ashes) are swept from the cremator and allowed to cool before being processed. Remaining bone fragments are ground down to a uniform consistency. The final cremains are placed into an urn or other container chosen by the family.
Cremator Capacity
So how many bodies fit inside a cremator at one time? The answer is typically just one body per cremator.
Cremators are built large enough to accommodate a single adult human body at a time. The average interior dimensions of a cremator are about 70 x 30 x 2.5 feet (length, width, height). While cremators can vary in size, these dimensions provide enough space for most adult bodies.
It would not be advisable or efficient for crematoriums to try to fit multiple bodies into one cremator simultaneously. The high heat and flames generated during cremation need adequate space to fully circulate around each body for proper incineration. If multiple bodies were crammed into one chamber, it could take longer for them to cremate fully and evenly. The end cremains would likely be mixed together, which would be problematic for separating and returning them to the correct families.
Trying to cremate more than one body at once could also overload or damage the cremator. Cremators have a set capacity that accounts for one body at a time. Fitting in multiple bodies could exceed the load limits, potentially causing mechanical issues or system failures.
Duration of Cremation Cycle
On average, it takes 1.5 to 3 hours to fully cremate an adult body in a cremator. This duration can vary based on the heat setting used and the size of the individual. For example, a larger or obese individual may take slightly longer.
During the cremation cycle, the cremator reaches internal temperatures of 1400-1800°F. This high heat combined with hot turbulent air ensures the complete incineration of soft tissues and skeleton.
After the set time, heating is turned off and the cremains are allowed to fully cool before removal, which can take 1-2 hours. The entire cremation process for one body therefore takes approximately 2.5-5 hours on average from start to finish.
Number of Cremations Per Day
Given the duration of a single cremation cycle, how many cremations can be completed in a day? Again, this may vary between crematoriums based on the number of cremators onsite.
A typical crematorium with 1-2 cremators may be able to complete 6-12 cremations per day. With a second cremator, they can effectively double their capacity and number of daily cremations.
Larger crematoriums with 3 or more cremators may have the ability to cremate 20 or more bodies per day. Some facilities have upwards of 6-8 cremators onsite to handle higher volumes.
The daily limit is somewhat constrained by the hours of operation and number of staff available. Cremations occur during normal weekday business hours, with extended availability on weekends in some cases. Facilities cannot run cremators 24/7. There is also prep work required before and after each cremation that must be done by trained operators.
Batch Cremation
While single or individual cremations are standard, some people may choose to be cremated alongside a loved one, such as a spouse. Others prefer a “direct cremation” with no formal viewing or ceremony first. In these cases, the crematorium may allow for a double or batch cremation of two bodies simultaneously.
However, batch cremations are still uncommon for a few reasons:
– Cremators are designed and calibrated for one body at a time. Adding a second risks exceeding the load capacity.
– Families prefer to have their loved one’s ashes returned individually. Co-mingling could occur with batch cremations.
– It takes longer to fully cremate multiple bodies together, reducing efficiency.
– Not all crematoriums have cremators large enough to accommodate two adult bodies safely.
If a batch cremation is requested, the operators take extra care to position the bodies in a staggered formation. This allows flames and air to reach all surfaces. Any metal from joint implants is removed first to avoid damage. The cremains are meticulously swept from the chamber after and inspected to prevent mixing if possible.
Overall, however, single or individual cremations are still the norm. Shared cremations are uncommon and avoided in many facilities.
Reasons for One Body Per Cremator
There are a few key reasons why crematoriums do not cremate more than one body simultaneously:
– Safety – Cramming multiple bodies into a cremator designed for just one could pose safety risks, such as fire hazards or explosive damage. Proper protocols must be followed.
– Thoroughness – One body has ample room for flames to surround all surfaces, ensuring complete incineration. Multiple bodies may result in uneven or partial cremation.
– Time efficiency – A single body cremates fully in 1.5-3 hours. Multiple bodies could take much longer, slowing operations.
– Equipment wear – Too many bodies could overload the chamber and cause excessive mechanical wear or damage.
– Cremain separation – Each family deserves their own loved one’s ashes back. Co-mingling cremains should be avoided.
– Preferences – Most families expect one-body cremations. Shared cremations go against typical preferences.
– Expense – Larger cremators to accommodate multiple bodies at once would be a major expense for minimal benefit.
Following best practices for safety, thoroughness, efficiency, and families’ wishes necessitates cremating one body per cremator in the vast majority of cases.
Crematorium Capacity Factors
The maximum daily cremation capacity for a crematorium depends on several factors:
– Number of onsite cremators
– Number of staff available to operate cremators
– Hours of operation each day
– Average duration of each cremation cycle
– Any periodic maintenance downtime for cremators
For example, a facility with two cremators and adequate staff could potentially handle 12 individual cremations per day if running continual cycles over a 12-hour operational day.
Some additional factors can constrain daily capacity:
– Time needed for prep work before and after each cremation
– Only one cremation can start while another is still cooling down
– Reduced weekend staffing compared to weekdays
– Maintenance, cleaning, and documentation needs
Realistically, most crematoriums likely average 6-12 single-body cremations during their busiest days. Larger facilities with multiple cremators may reach over 20 daily. But conducting more than this on a continued basis could be challenging based on staffing and hours of operation.
Trends and Statistics on Cremations
The cremation rate has been steadily rising over the past few decades:
- In 2015, the U.S. cremation rate was 48.5%
- This increased to 52.9% by 2018
- By 2025, the projected rate is nearly 60%
- Some states like Nevada already have cremation rates over 70%
Higher cremation popularity has meant crematoriums nationwide have had to expand capacity to meet demand. There are now over 2,100 crematoriums in North America, up from just a few hundred in the 1970s.
Despite the rising cremation trend, most facilities still average 10 or fewer cremations daily during peak seasons. Larger crematoriums may handle 20-30 when operating at maximum capacity with multiple cremators.
But for most, cremating more than one body per cremator is avoided. Single or individual cremations remain the standard to follow best practices. Careful protocols are taken to cremate bodies fully and return separate cremains to each family.
Cremation Process Step-by-Step
Here is an overview of the typical cremation process from start to finish:
- The deceased is transported to the crematorium in a container or cremation casket.
- The body is removed from the container and placed on a tray inside the cremator.
- Any personal effects or non-human materials are removed.
- The cremator is sealed shut and the cremation program is started.
- The body is reduced to bone fragments during the 1.5-3 hour cremation cycle.
- Heating is turned off and the cremains are left to fully cool for 1-2 hours.
- The ashes are swept from the cremator and processed to a uniform powdery consistency.
- Cremains are placed into an urn or container selected by the family to take home.
Proper protocols must be followed regarding the loading of bodies, operation of the cremator, and processing of cremains. At no point in the process are multiple bodies cremated together in one cremator in the vast majority of cases.
Special Circumstances Allowing Multiple Bodies
In most localities, regulations prohibit the simultaneous cremation of more than one body in the same cremator. However, some special exceptions exist.
In situations like mass fatality incidents from natural disasters or war, temporary emergency provisions may allow for multiple bodies to be cremated together if absolutely necessary. This helps avoid overwhelming morgue and crematorium capacity.
Some crematoriums in parts of Europe and Asia have larger cremators designed to take more than one body at a time. But this is primarily done for efficiency purposes regarding unclaimed bodies or indigent cremations.
Overall in places like the United States, one body at a time in each cremator is still the accepted standard by state laws and industry best practices. Crematory operators are trained to follow these protocols carefully for each cremation.
Cremation of Body Parts
In addition to whole bodies, crematoriums may also incinerate body parts, organs, or tissue samples:
– Amputated limbs following surgery
– Organs removed during autopsies
– Tissue samples from biopsies
– Contents from surgical suction canisters
Small body parts may be cremated together in batches. They do not need to be cremated singly in an entire cremator.
Some key differences from whole body cremations:
– Much shorter cremation time of under an hour
– Can use smaller incinerators rather than full-size cremators
– Ashes are disposed of rather than returned to families
– May be subject to additional biohazard protocols
But for complete human bodies, from deceased persons or donors, one whole body per cremator at a time is still the standard in most localities. This ensures a dignified process that complies with regulations.
Conclusion
In summary, cremating more than one whole body simultaneously in a single cremator is uncommon practice today. The vast majority of crematoriums use one cremator per body to follow accepted protocols and best serve families’ wishes.
However, cremating multiple body parts together does sometimes occur when efficient and practical. The policies on communal cremations can also vary by country and culture. But shared whole-body cremations remain rare overall in places like the United States.
When choosing cremation, families can be assured that their loved one’s body will be treated with respect and cremated individually in nearly all cases. Careful procedures are followed to fully incinerate each body on its own and return the ashes to the family afterward. With more people choosing cremation, crematoriums strive to balance efficiency with personalization by cremating one body per retort whenever appropriate.