Cremation

 UST REMEMBER

In 1966 cremation was finally allowed by the Roman Catholic Church.  Before they prohibited this

because of:

       1.  The fact that cremation (burning on the stakes) was a punishment by the barbarians against the 

             Catholics

       2.  The belief that Christians will resurrect on the second coming.   How can you do that if your 

             body has been reduced to ashes.

What is cremation

      Cremation is the conversion of cadaver body to fine ashes using high temperature.   

Crematory machine

      The modern crematory machine now uses two burners:   one for the main chamber and the second

    one for the retort to burn the exhaust and prevent black smoke that was mostly observed in single

    burner units.    The Korean models are much better than Chinese and even the American models

    which are single burners and uses LPG.  They typically require  2 to 3 hours to finish  a cremation

    process.   

     Machines used to be imported abroad but access to parts enabled local manufacturers.  There at least

     2   The latest has CCTV which monitors the opacity of smoke to warn owners of impending 

     problems 

     The machine has numerical control and can be operated by even office staff

    The machine which we use takes 45 minutes to one hour to complete a typical 120 lbs cadaver. 

     A 30 minutes cooling period is required to rest the machine and to prevent it from emitting smoke

     The machine requires TPM every 50 burn.  The TPM involves cleaning the  chamber, and cleaning

      the fuel lines and filter.

     The machine requires an overhaul:  change of bricks and burners This cost as much as price of a

     new machine hence the price of current cremation services can not be reduced further

     The price of diesel has risen to P60+ from less than P50 during the pandemic or an P18.00 increase..

     The LGUs have tried to keep price to P16 still below the mandated price of P15K

Why is cremation on the rise?

     Well right now, it is primarily due to the covid 19.  The IATF guidelines and the IATF guidelines

provides cremation within 12 hours after death if the cadaver's death was caused by communicable 

disease (covid19) as shown by positive swab test

     But cremation was on the rise prior to pandemic because of the following:

     1   It is more economical -  70% cheaper than traditional plots, casket, and funeral service;

     2   It is convenient and lighter for the emotions of the family.  The ashes can be divided among 

          the members of the family and therefore lessens long and expensive travel during All Soul/All

          Saints Day

    3.  It is environmental and health friendly.   The formalyn used in embalming + body fluids can

         contaminate the water supply if the body vaults explode due to nitrogen escaping from rotting

         flesh.  The flesh rotting from formalyn emit the familiar fould odor.  No such odor happens

         with ashes.

    4.   Land is scarce and more and expensive hence it is difficult to build a memorial park

Cremation is typical in most oriental countries:   China, Taiwan, Korea India, Japan,