Here is a list of questions we are frequently asked, along with the answers. If you have
other questions, feel free to drop us an e-mail, or call during the day.
Do you have to be in a casket when you are cremated?
No. California
State law only requires that the container be rigid and suitable for cremation.
Do you cremate caskets?
Yes. About 60% of cremations in the United States
are done with traditional types of caskets
What happens to the casket in a cremation?
Because of the intense heat
and air flow, all non-metal parts are consumed.
How hot do the retorts (cremation ovens) get?
Between 1,500° and 1,800°
Fahrenheit.
How long does a cremation take?
Between one and three hours, depending
on the weight of the individual and the temperature of the retort.
What happens to medical implants?
Depending on the material, they are
either consumed by the heat or disposed of in a proper manner.
What happens to dental work, such as gold fillings?
It is either consumed
by the heat or made unrecognizable; it cannot be retrieved.
What is left after the cremation process?
Calcified bone material and
fragments.
How much do the cremains weigh?
It depends on the bone structure of the
individual, but it is usually around 5% of body weight.
Can I watch the process?
Family members can view the initiation of the
process through a witness cremation.
How do we know we are receiving the right cremains?
Southland Crematory's
tracking system and procedures assures you that you are receiving the correct cremains.
