Do They Burn The Coffin In Cremation In Australia?

Do they burn the coffin in cremation in Australia? The answer is Yes. In Australia, some cremation process also involves burning the coffin along with the body. This practice is standard and legally required to ensure safety during the cremation process. Here’s a detailed explanation of why and how this is done:

1. Legal and safety requirements: 

The coffin is heated and cremated with the body to meet health and safety standards. This ensures that the cremation process is carried out in a safe and hygienic manner, preventing any potential health hazards that could arise from direct handling of the body.

2. Cremation process: 

The body is placed in a combustible coffin which is then placed in a cremation chamber. The chamber operates at extremely high temperatures, typically around 1000 degrees Celsius, for about 1-2 hours. This intense heat reduces both the body and the coffin to ash and bone fragments. 

3. Materials used: 

Coffins used for cremation are usually made from materials that are suitable for burning, such as wood or wood-derived materials. These materials ensure that no harmful chemicals are released during the cremation process.

4. Environmental considerations: 

There are regulations to make sure that the materials for cremation do not release harmful substances into the environment. For example, regulations in South Australia state that coffins must not release organochlorines during the cremation process.

5. Cultural and personal preferences:

When you choose a coffin, it may be based on personal, cultural or economic preferences. In Australia, there are no legal restrictions on the use of alternative materials such as cardboard coffins, which are also suitable for cremation.

Overall, the cremation process in Australia is designed that your loved one is treated safely while meeting legal and health standards.