For many people, cremation and incineration are two terms that have the same meaning. However, there are some subtleties as to the use of these two words that are important to know if you want to use them properly.

Incineration

Incineration is a technique to destroy detritus by fire, using an incinerator. It is therefore not appropriate to use this word in the funeral field to describe the act of burning a body. In fact, since this word applies more to waste, it may seem disrespectful to talk about incineration when referring to burning a body.

Developed in urban areas in the 1960s, incineration aims to remedy the lack of waste sorting in order to make composting and recycling possible. The word incineration is therefore often misused when it comes to incinerating a body.

Cremation

The term cremation is much more accurate for the action of burning a body to reduce it to ashes. The word cremation originates from the Latin word “cremare” and means to burn, quite simply. In order to reduce the body to ashes, it is placed in a coffin that will then be inserted in an oven heated to a temperature of 800°C. In this way, the body will pass from a solid state to a gaseous state, representing the action of sublimating a body. Once the body is reduced to ashes, these will be reduced to fine particles, which will then be placed in a cremation urn.

The distinction between the two words may indeed be minimal, but knowing the difference will enable you to use both terms properly. For more information about the cremation process, contact one of Crématorium Montréal‘s representatives, so that we can assist you and answer any questions you may have.