Cremation is the process of reducing a dead body to its basic chemical compounds by burning at high temperatures. Cremation takes place at a Crematorium, a dedicated building consisting of

Equipment

A crematory is an industrial furnace capable of reaching the extremely high temperatures (up to about 850 – 970 C/ 1500 – 1800 F. )required to cremate a human body.

Modern cremotors utilise a range of fuel sources including natural, and propane gas to power the crematory, replacing the coal or coke in use up until the early 1960s.

The chamber within the crematory that that body is place into is called the retort. Special brick that help to retain heat are used to line the retort. These bricks must be replaced after about five years as they are damaged by the constant tempertature cycling.

Modern cremators incorporate adjustable control systems that are able to monitor the furnace during cremation. Once the cremation process is complete, the control systems automatically shut down the furnace.