Photo: Julia Volk

Can you be cremated alive?

We've all thought about it at some point. What if I'm actually alive when I'm buried or cremated? For some people this is a serious fear, and hearing the random stories of it happening doesn't help. You'll be happy to know that being cremated alive is virtually impossible.

greencremationtexas.com - How Can I Be Sure I Won't Still Be Alive When I Go Into The Retort?

What does intense eye contact mean?

Intense eye contact that indicates attraction is called gazing. When someone gazes at you, they maintain longer than usual eye contact. This...

Last updated Oct 25, 2019

What is a guy's biggest fear?

Being weak or being perceived as weak – one of the biggest fears for men, as they tend to believe they are not supposed to be weak or even to be...

Last updated Dec 18, 2018

Do you really know who the “One” is? Your true Soulmate?

Promotion

We’ve all thought about it at some point. What if I’m actually alive when I’m buried or cremated? For some people this is a serious fear, and hearing the random stories of it happening doesn’t help. You’ll be happy to know that being cremated alive is virtually impossible. Here’s why.

What Retort Means

How can I be sure I won’t still be alive when I go into the retort? That’s what we get asked a lot when a person wants to know more about the cremation process. We completely understand why someone might be concerned about this if they are unfamiliar with how everything works. First, let’s explain what retort means. Retort is the technical name for the chamber where cremation occurs. The body is placed in a combustible container (usually a wood coffin) after it is properly prepared. The container with the body is then put in the retort chamber for cremation. People who plan to be cremated are sometimes concerned about being alive at this point, similar to the fear of being buried alive. Because the temperature is raised to 1,400-2,000 degrees Fahrenheit in the chamber there’s no way a person could survive retort. The good news is, that isn’t something you really need to worry about.

Why You Don’t Have to Worry About Being Alive at Retort

Fear over being buried or cremated alive is actually an antiquated concern, meaning that it’s been a fear people have had for a very long time. In fact, historians note that a number of “safety” coffins were designed in the late 1700s and 1800s. The first safety coffin on record was made for Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick in 1792. Many of the safety coffin designs incorporated a bell on the surface and cord that could be pulled from inside the coffin to ring the bell. The idea was that the interred person could literally be saved by the bell, which helped popularize the saying. Some safety coffins also had flags, feeding tubes and pyrotechnics. While being buried or cremated alive was a more legitimate concern a few hundred years ago, it’s essentially a non-issue today, especially with cremation. That’s because funeral directors are the last responders. We don’t become part of the process until a person has been officially declared dead by a medical examiner or physician. There’s no way can we take you into our care before being pronounced dead, let alone prepare the body and move it to retort. Typically, the cremation process is going to take at least a few days because the death certificate and other authorizations are needed before the cremation can occur. A number of medical professionals would have to unknowingly mistake that a person is dead up to that point, which is nearly impossible to do these days with the medical equipment that’s used. Have more questions about cremation? At Green Cremation Texas we make the process as simple as possible from start to finish. Contact us today to learn about how we handle cremations in an eco-conscious, affordable way.

What is deep true love?

Essentially, true love means that you have an unwavering, unbreakable and unparalleled fondness and devotion for your partner. It's also defined by...

Last updated Feb 14, 2018

What are your top 3 greatest strengths?

You can say that your greatest strength is: Creativity. Originality. Open-mindedness. Detail-oriented. Curiosity. Flexibility. Versatility.

Last updated Nov 29, 2022

Promotion

Is it greener to be buried or cremated?

dillamorefuneralservice.co.uk - How to Make a Traditional Funeral More Eco Friendly

Burial or cremation?

You may be asking yourself whether cremation or burial is bad for the environment, and the short answer is that both of them have their benefits and downsides with regards to their environmental impact. It’s important for you to choose the method that feels right for you. For anyone looking to make eco friendly choices, there are some important things to consider…

Cremations

Cremation is a very popular choice in the UK, however the cremation process isn’t energy-efficient and releases large amounts of CO2 into the environment. However once the cremation has taken place, a person’s ashes won’t cause any environmental harm and can be scattered or buried without concern. If you intend on burying a loved one’s ashes opt for a biodegradable urn, or alternatively plant a tree over their grave. It’s also worth noting that burying ashes takes up much less space than a coffin, which has its environmental benefits.

Burials

Although coffins take up more ground space than cremated remains, burials are generally considered more environmentally friendly than cremations. This is because burials allow for natural processes to take effect and minimise the impact on the surrounding environment. However, it’s important to note that not all burials are eco friendly, and depending on the materials used for the coffin, and whether a person has been embalmed, will affect how much environmental impact a burial will have. Burials at a natural burial ground are by far the most eco friendly option – as well as using a biodegradable coffin, embalming is avoided, and a tree is planted at the gravesite in place of a headstone.

Which house shows longevity of marriage?

In the natural zodiac, the 2nd House and 7th House belong to Venus. 2nd House is also the 8th house from the 7th House so the longevity of...

Last updated May 13, 2021

Does God cause us to love him?

God initiates our love for him (John 6:44), God give us the desire to love him (Philippians 2:13), and God gives us the power to love him...

Last updated Sep 9, 2022

Promotion

Why does God bring someone into your life?

God brings us closer to certain people because they may be the person we need in our lives at that given moment in time. You can't really explain...

Last updated Aug 18, 2020

Promotion

What do soulmates have in common?

"Soulmates will have a basic, shared vision for their future," Shlomo Zalman Bregman, rabbi and matchmaker, tells Bustle. "It's vital that a couple...

Last updated Aug 11, 2022