Are People Cremated with Clothes On?
Yes, people are cremated with clothes on, but not every clothing is allowed, and you may have to dress your loved one yourself. Here’s what you should know.
History tells us that it’s common practice for people to be buried in fine clothing. Therefore, it’s no surprise we get questions like if bodies are cremated with clothes on from people seeking cremation services in Scarborough, ME.
The truth is it depends. People are cremated with clothes on, but the type of clothing depends on the cremation service.
Traditional cremation is fitting if you want to dress your loved one in something regal and need help. The funeral home will embalm, prepare, and dress the body before the viewing and other services.
You can provide the clothing or have the funeral home do it. And if you want to dress your loved one yourself, some funeral home allows you to do this too.
However, things are simpler with direct cremation. Since it doesn’t include viewings or dressing services, it’s not uncommon to cremate the body in the cloth they wore at the time of death. Other times, a person can be cremated in a sheet.
That said, some cremation providers allow families to dress a loved one before the cremation begins. But not all clothing and accessories can go into the cremation chamber.
Materials not Allowed for Cremation
Cremation involves heating the retort to a temperature of around 2,000 degrees. It’s a controlled incineration and incombustible materials can damage the equipment.
During preparation, the cremation professional removes each one before placing the body in the chamber. However, it’s advisable to avoid dressing your loved one in clothing with the following materials in the first place:
- Glass
- Plastic
- rubber
- Metal
- Clothes made from synthetic materials
Other objects that should be removed before cremation include silicone implants and battery-operated electronic and mechanical devices like pacemakers or hearing aids.
If you’re in doubt, check with your cremation provider to confirm what’s appropriate to wear for the process.
How to Dress Your Loved One for Direct Cremation
There’s no dressing service in direct cremation. If you want your loved one to wear something special before the cremation, you will have to do it yourself. Here’s how:
- Cut the clothing or gently remove the clothing they had on when they passed away.
- It’s unnecessary, but soap, water, and washcloth are okay if you prefer to wash and clean their body first. Use a dry towel or washcloth to dry their skin thoroughly after.
- For shirts, skirts, and dresses, split the garment at the back. Then wear it over your loved one by wrapping it around them. Slide the sleeves up their arms first before tucking in the back sections of the garment.
- Compress the pants to press the bottom cuffs with the seat of the garment. Then by grabbing each leg, slide the pants over both legs and pull as high as possible. Then, roll them over and use the belt to slide the pants to the waist.
You can also include socks, shoes, scarves, and other accessories as memorabilia. Makeup and grooming practices like brushing or combing their hair are also okay.
This dressing can happen at the place of death or the cremation center. When you finish, the cremation professional will handle the rest.
Got other curious questions about how cremation services in Scarborough, ME, work? Contact us. Call us now to speak with our attentive and caring staff. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ready to meet your needs.
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