Are cremation ashes mixed with others?

Cremation has become an increasingly popular option for dealing with remains after death. In 2020, over 56% of deaths in the United States resulted in cremation, compared to just over 26% in 2000. With cremations on the rise, some may wonder what exactly happens during the cremation process. One common question is whether the ashes from multiple individuals are mixed together or if they remain separate.

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The Cremation Process

To understand whether ashes are mixed, it helps to first look at the cremation process itself. Here are the basic steps:

The body is placed into a cremation chamber or retort, which is essentially a large steel cylinder lined with heat-resistant bricks.
The temperature inside the retort is raised to about 1400-1800°F to facilitate burning.
After 1-2 hours, all organic matter is consumed by heat and evaporation. What remains are bone fragments and ash.

These remains are swept from the retort and processed to create a uniform ash consistency. Processing may involve grinding, filtering, and other methods.
The cremated remains are then placed into an urn or other container chosen by the family.

This is a general overview of the cremation process. Actual practices can vary somewhat between different cremation facilities.

Are Ashes Kept Separate?

During the cremation process, each individual is cremated alone within the retort. The ashes are not mixed with any other remains during cremation. The chamber is thoroughly cleaned after each cremation as well.

However, there has been some concern over whether ashes can become co-mingled during the processing stage, when the remains are ground and filtered to create a uniform consistency. So are ashes ever mixed accidentally?

The answer is no – reputable cremation facilities take extensive precautions to keep cremated remains completely separate throughout the entire cremation and processing procedure. Here are some key ways they ensure ashes are not mixed:

Each body is cremated individually in a freshly cleaned retort.
The remains are removed from the cremation chamber immediately after cremation.
The remains are labeled carefully throughout the process to avoid any mix-ups.

Separate processing equipment is used for each individual, including separate grinders, filters, trays, and containers.
Processing areas are thoroughly cleaned between each cremation using specialized vacuums to remove any small bone fragments or ash.
If the remains are stored temporarily before processing, they are placed in clearly labeled separate containers.

Advanced computer tracking systems follow the remains every step of the way to prevent errors.

While no system is perfect, reputable cremation facilities use redundant tracking practices and procedures to ensure remains are kept separate throughout cremation and processing. The chances of ashes becoming mixed accidentally are extremely small.

Intentional Mixing

While accidental mixing is unlikely, some families do choose to intentionally mix ashes of loved ones. This is typically done to keep family members together after death.

Some examples of intentional mixing include:

Mixing the ashes of married spouses or partners
Combining the ashes of parents with those of children

Blending the ashes of siblings or other family members

If a family does wish to mix ashes, they can make arrangements with the cremation facility. The blending is then done in a respectful and controlled manner. All families whose ashes are involved must provide consent.

Commingling at Cremation Facilities

There is one situation where a small degree of unintentional comingling could occur – in containers or equipment at the cremation facility itself. Trace ash residue can remain stuck in cremation chambers, filters, grinders, and storage containers even after thorough cleaning. Over time, these trace remnants accumulate.

Is this a concern? Most experts say no. The amount of residue is minimal and spread out over time. Facilities clean extensively between individual cremations. One study found the amount of residue transferred was usually less than 0.1% of total cremains – not enough to significantly impact the purity of individual ashes returned to families.

However, some find even small levels of incidental mixing disturbing. This objection is one reason why alkaline hydrolysis or “aquamation” is growing in popularity as an alternative to cremation.

Tracking and Record Keeping

To prevent both accidental mixing and intentional mixing without consent, cremation facilities maintain detailed tracking and record-keeping throughout the cremation process. Here are some ways they keep accurate records:

Each individual is assigned a unique identification number which follows the remains at each stage.
Cremation chambers are numbered and usage is logged.
Standardized forms record the individual and process details.

Computer databases updated in real-time track the status.
Some facilities use barcode or RFID tagging to prevent errors.
Video monitoring is used in some facilities as an added safeguard.

Thorough record-keeping reduces the already small risk of accidental mixing even further. It also prevents intentional mixing without the documented consent of families involved.

When Mixing Can Occur

While reputable cremation facilities avoid comingling ashes, there are some scenarios where mixing can still occur:

Disreputable operators – Fly-by-night or disreputable cremation services may cut corners when it comes to procedures preventing co-mingling. There have been isolated scandals where mixing was revealed at problematic crematoriums.

Scatterings – Ashes scattered into nature can mingle on their own over time. Ashes scattered at sea sites or busy memorial locations may combine.
Shared urns – Some families choose to place multiple loved ones’ ashes in a single urn. This results in intentional mixing.

These situations represent exceptions though. The vast majority of cremations through professional facilities keep remains separate throughout the process.

Legal Protections

To protect families from mixing without consent, there are laws in place prohibiting the unethical or illegal disposal of ashes:

U.S. federal law and state laws prohibit commingling cremated remains without permission.
Licensed cremation facilities can face fines or lose licensing for mishandling remains.

Families can pursue legal action if mixing occurs without consent.

If an unscrupulous operator does illegally dump or mix ashes, there can be legal consequences. Protections such as these help ensure facilities follow proper procedures.

Steps to Ensure No Mixing

If you want to take extra precautions to prevent comingling of ashes, there are steps you can take:

Research cremation facilities thoroughly and choose a reputable provider with transparent practices and policies.
Ask questions – don’t be afraid to inquire about their procedures for keeping ashes separate.
Review contracts and be clear you do not want ashes mixed.

Opt for private or individual cremations when available.
Ask about equipment cleaning processes to minimize residue transfer.

Taking time to understand a facility’s practices and policies can give added peace of mind around this issue.

Are Cremated Remains Pure?

Given the potential for trace co-mingling at facilities, some may wonder whether cremated remains returned to families are completely “pure.”

While there is the potential for minuscule residue from previous cremations, the amount is negligible. Cremated remains handled properly by ethical cremation providers are near 100% pure from a practical standpoint.

Some facilities will also offer additional pulverization or processing of bones fragments to reduce any non-human residue to microscopic levels barely detectable. This makes remains as close to fully pure as possible.

Common Questions

Here are answers to some other frequently asked questions on this topic:

Do coffins or caskets get cremated too?

No, coffins and caskets do not get cremated. All non-organic material like metal, hinges, etc. are removed before cremation. Only the body itself is cremated.

What gets done with dental fillings or medical devices?

Items like dental fillings, joint replacements and pacemakers will not combust during cremation. After cremation, they are separated from bone fragments during processing. Recyclers recover any metals.

What happens to larger body parts like hips or skulls?

Larger bone fragments like hips and skulls do not fully combust during cremation. They break down into smaller pieces during processing afterwards through methods like grinding.

Can I watch the cremation process?

Some facilities do allow family witnessing of cremations, with permission and schedules permitting. However, this practice raises concerns around privacy, logistics, and emotional impact.

Conclusion

Modern cremation practices are designed to prevent any mixing of ashes from separate individuals. While no complex system is infallible, the chances of comingling are extremely small with a professional provider.

The only mixing that occurs is in rare cases where families grant consent. Extensive tracking procedures and stringent policies protect against both accidental and intentional mixing without permission.

While residue at facilities introduces minute background contamination, cremated remains handled properly are returned to families in an essentially pure form. Families can take comfort knowing their loved one’s ashes are kept separate throughout the cremation process.