Articles and Advice

Can More Than One Cremation Be Performed at Once?

As cremation is becoming more popular, people are starting to ask questions to get a better idea of the cremation process. And rightfully so. For years cremation has been surrounded by a social stigma. Now, it’s more widely accepted as a legitimate form of disposition, but there are still some common misconceptions.

All California Cremation wants you to know that your dearly departed will be treated with the utmost respect and decency. This article is meant to dispel some common myths that may claim otherwise.

Do They Cremate Multiple Bodies at Once?

There’s a common misconception that crematories cremate multiple bodies at once as a way to save time and money. Rest assured, it is both unethical and illegal to cremate multiple bodies at the same time without the consent of the family. The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA), an organization whose purpose is to improve the reputation of the funeral services industry, clearly states the following:

“The crematory authority should not simultaneously cremate more than one human remains in the same cremation chamber unless it has written authorization to do so by the authorizing agent of each human remains to be cremated.”

Aside from it being illegal, cremation chambers can usually only fit one body in at a time. So even if they do cremate multiple bodies at once, crematories will do so in separate chambers.

Can You Get Someone Else’s Ashes?

Another myth around cremation is that it’s common for families to get the ashes of someone else. This is both unfounded and untrue—crematories follow strict guidelines from the ICCFA to ensure your loved one is identified throughout the cremation process. 

Crematories go through a rigorous identification process before they cremate someone. This involves getting the proper documentation, including:

• 
  A signed death certification from a medical examiner
• The cremation permit
• A Cremation Authorization signed by the family or next of kin

Even after all of that documentation is in order, a member of the deceased’s family can also identify the dearly departed before the cremation process begins. 

When prepared for the cremation process, most (if not all) crematories will place a unique medical identification plate with your loved one. This plate can resist the intense heat of the cremation chamber and will be used to ensure the correctly identified remains are returned to the family.

Can Two People's Ashes Be Mixed Together?

Also known as commingling, mixing cremated remains is illegal unless it is specifically requested by the deceased. This simply comes down to a matter of personal preference of the deceased.

Most cremation chambers will not mix the remains of your loved ones—they’ll usually leave that up to the family to do. In those cases, crematories will return cremated remains in a temporary urn so you can transfer the remains into an urn of your choice.

Put Your Loved One in Good Hands

Hopefully, this information has helped to dispel any concerns you had about the cremation process. All California Cremation is proud to follow the strict guidelines set by the ICCFA and other funeral organizations. We know how much you care about your loved ones who have passed on, so we take every precaution to ensure their remains are returned to you so you and your family and friends can properly celebrate their life.

If you need to schedule a cremation service for your dearly departed, don’t hesitate to visit our website. We will guide you through everything you need to prepare and know so your loved one can meet a fitting end to this life.