The body of the deceased person is placed in a sturdy, combustible container of cardboard along with the metal identification tag that is placed with your loved-one’s body when they come into our care.

The deceased is then placed in the cremation chamber, which is heated to between 1400 and 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. The body is reduced to its basic elements, which, along with bone fragments, are what remain at the end of the approximately 3-hour cremation process. These cremated remains, commonly referred to as “ashes”, are ground into a fine, sand-like substance and placed in a simple, biodegradable paper urn.

You can rest assured that all our cremations are individual cremations, carried out with the utmost care and attention.

Cremation causes the release of greenhouse gases through the use of natural gas (a non-renewable fossil fuel) in the cremation process. It may also result in the release of mercury into the atmosphere (from dental amalgam fillings), dioxins, and other harmful products.

Cremation is less environmentally impactful than conventional burial (with chemical embalming, a concrete, plastic or fiberglass vault, a non-renewable material casket, in a conventionally landscaped cemetery), however it is not as green as natural burial.

Families should remove all jewelry before cremation.

Pacemakers must be removed before cremation as the batteries in them can explode and damage the crematory equipment. Please let us know if your loved-one has a pacemaker.

Titanium hip replacements and other implants will remain intact during cremation and are recycled. It is not possible to retrieve gold dental crowns as these will melt during the cremation process.

The Natural Funeral will return the cremated remains to you in a simple biodegradable container along with the metal identification tag that accompanied their remains during the cremation process. You will also receive a letter identifying the cremains. You are, of course, at liberty to place the “ashes” in a different container of your choosing. The Natural Funeral has a range of beautiful, locally made urns available.

Each state has its own laws and regulations regarding the scattering and burying of cremated remains. In Colorado, you can scatter or bury on your own private land, or on someone else’s, with permission from the landowner. Officially, you should seek permission to scatter or bury on federal land. However, as with local and state land, it is unlikely you will meet with opposition if you are discrete and away from main thoroughfares and waterways. Some national parks have applications for conducting the scattering of ashes. Here is a link to information about Rocky Mountain National Park and scattering.

It is a popular notion to place cremated remains with plants and seeds. But due to the extremely high pH levels in ashes, cremains prevent the natural release of nutrients necessary for healthy plant growth. The high sodium content in the “ashes” also makes them harmful to plant life. It is possible to purchase certain amendment products to render the ashes suitable for burial with plant material.

Please let us know if you would like to witness the cremation. It is possible to attend the placing of the body into the cremation chamber and conduct a brief ceremony. The crematory will inform us when the cremation process is complete, and we will bring the ashes to you, usually on the following day.