In Texas, how do you know you’re getting your mom’s ashes after cremation? Here’s how
More people are turning to cremation (59.7%) rather than burials (35.7%), according to the National Funeral Directors Association’s 2022 report. The average cost of a burial is $7,848 compared to cremation at $6,971.
But how do you know you are getting your loved one’s ashes after cremation?
How Texas crematoriums make sure you get the right ashes
The entire process is documented — from when the body first arrives to the crematorium, to the ashes being delivered to the grieving family.
Upon arrival at the crematory, the body comes with an identification tag. Once the necessary documents are finalized, a photo ID of the deceased is taken to ensure the crematory services have the right person, according to National Cremation.
Once the cremation is over, the identification and paperwork are then returned to the family. The entire process is akin to following evidence in a trial, with a chain of documents confirming the steps in the entire process.
How does the cremation process work in Texas?
After a body is delivered to a crematory and all the paperwork is settled, the cremation process begins.
All jewelry, medical devices and metal dental fillings are removed from the body before being placed in the crematorium, according to Cake End-of-Life planning. Generally, most bodies remain in whatever outfit they arrive in at the crematory.
The body is then placed in the cremation chamber that can heat up from 1,400 to 2,100 degrees. Under the heat, organs and soft tissues vaporize while gases are discharged from the body. An hour and half to two hours later the cremation process is finished, according to Cake.
What’s left over are “cremains,” which are commonly referred to as the ashes. However, the cremation process does not actually reduce the body to ash like a fire does with wood, according to Just Cremation.
The “ashes” people pick up in an urn are actually bone fragments left over from the cremation process that have been processed down to resemble ash.
Where can I legally spread ashes in Texas?
Under Texas law, there’s a few places where spreading of ashes is allowed:
- Uninhabited public land
- Public water way or the ocean
- Private property
Unless the container is biodegradable, the cremated remains have to be removed from the urn before being scattered, Texas law states.
