What Is Cremation and How Does It Work?
Cremation is now chosen by more than 40% of families in France. Understanding the process helps approach this step with greater peace of mind. Here is everything you need to know.
What is cremation?
Cremation is the process of reducing a human or animal body to ashes through heat. It is an ancient practice that has grown significantly in France since the 1990s, and serves as an alternative to burial.
The resulting ashes can be kept in a funeral urn, scattered in nature or at sea, or placed in a columbarium.
How does cremation work?
An identification tag is attached to the body before cremation and stays with it throughout the process — guaranteeing you receive the correct ashes.
The body is placed in a refractory brick chamber. Temperature reaches 750 to 900 °C, fuelled by natural gas burners. The chamber door, around 15 cm thick, is sealed shut.
For a human body, the process takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours. For animals, it is shorter depending on size. A cooling period of about 30 minutes is then required.
After cooling, bone fragments are collected and passed through a specialised grinder (cremulator) to produce a uniform powder. Metal fragments (prosthetics, surgical screws) are removed by hand or magnet.
Ashes are placed in a sealed plastic bag, then in a temporary urn. The family can transfer them to a permanent urn, or keep a portion in a memorial jewel.
Cremation for pets
Dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets can also be cremated. There are two options:
Your pet is cremated alone. You receive their ashes only. More costly, but allows you to keep the ashes.
Several animals are cremated together. Ashes are not returned. Less expensive if you do not wish to keep the ashes.
Common misconceptions
Not at all. Cremation is carried out with the same dignity and care as burial. Many families find it a simpler, more nature-oriented choice.
French law strictly prohibits mixing the ashes of different people. However, for animals, there is no legal restriction.
"Those who have passed to the other world only truly die when those who loved them have forgotten them."
Choosing an urn is also a way of honouring this passage.