Frequently asked questions about cremation

Below are the most frequently asked questions (Faqs) on the unknown about cremation in South Africa.

Feel free to read through the most frequently asked questions we encounter. For some it will seem strange, for the curious it will be informative and for those interested in being cremated it will be enlightening.

Please note we have two sections: one is for what families should know, and the second is aimed at informing undertakers with regards to our services.

What families should know about cremation

• With a burial the body is inserted into a grave and covered where the process of decomposition will start and take quite a while.
• With cremation the body is inserted into a cremator where it is burned to a point where only some bones remain; this normally takes about an hour.
• The remaining bones are crushed to a fine consistency (ashes) and provided to the family to take home with them after the cremation process is completed.

• It’s more affordable.
• All cultures can cremate.
• All traditional funeral rituals can still take place as normal; the only difference is that instead of taking the body to the grave it is taken to the crematorium.
• Cemeteries are increasingly becoming full.
• Ashes will be ready in a matter of hours.
• Family can attend the cremation service.
• It’s transportable and families can relocate their loved one anywhere.
• Cremation offers more options for final resting place.
• Due to the limited capacity and safety in cemeteries, cremation is a better alternative.
• Cremation still allows for burial.
• Ashes can be divided and shared between loved ones.

Contact an undertaker who will arrange everything just as with a normal burial.

Cremation is becoming more popular as people start realising the benefits of cremation above burials.  With the locations of cemeteries becoming less accessible to the bereaved, a space in a wall of remembrance is increasingly becoming popular.  Some people try to scatter the ashes at the most favourite spot or place of the deceased, remembering the person as he / she was.  We are seeing a definite increase in the number of people preferring to be cremated over being buried.

According to law in South Africa, undertakers are registered to provide a funeral service.  Any and all arrangements in this regard can be made with the undertaker of your choice.  If you have arranged a cremation service with your undertaker, they will be able to provide feedback on all activities such as time of cremation, completion of cremation and when you will receive the ashes.  The crematorium staff is not authorised to provide any feedback in this regard, unless specifically authorised to do so by the undertaker.  All records are kept by the undertaker and they will be able to provide copies of documents etc. as well.

People are mostly starting to refer to a remembrance ceremony after the last show of respect in their religious beliefs.  The time frame of a body being cremated after the ceremony depends on a number of issues which are out of the undertaker and the crematorium’s control.  The doctor needs to provide a document confirming death and cause of death and then the death must be registered with the Department of Home Affairs before a burial or cremation can take place.  Doctors and government processes could affect the duration of the issuing of the death certificate.

If a death is undetermined, the coroner report must be received before a death certificate can be issued.    As soon as the death certificate and other relevant documents are obtained the cremation can take place.  eMalahleni Crematorium arranges for the remains to be collected and delivered to our Witbank and Waterberg Branches.  Cremations take place as and when we receive the remains.

Yes, you can be cremated without a memorial service, but you cannot be cremated without the legal documentation having been received by eMalahleni Crematorium.

The cheapest way to be cremated in South Africa depends on the body size of the deceased.  Extra-large persons require larger size coffins and cremation time is longer.  The choice and cost of service you require can be discussed with your funeral undertaker.

According to Chapter 6: Crematoriums and Cremation of the Regulations Relating to the Management of Human Remains of National Health Act, no 61 of 2003 (from hereon called the Act), bodies may not be removed from a coffin before cremation.

The coffin is completely incinerated, nothing can be reused. 

According to the Act, only one body may be cremated at a time per cremator and the cremators’ doors and cavities can only accommodate one coffin at a time.  We strictly adhere to the letter of the law.

The sealed coffin arrives at the crematorium, and again according to the Act, the crematorium may not open any coffin.  The undertakers are the responsible party taking care of such personal touches.  We however recommend that people are not overdressed and no additional items are placed inside the coffin as this causes additional emissions that is detrimental to the environment.

Nothing else gets mixed with the ashes.

Unfortunately, you may not view the body before cremation, as was already explained. The sealed coffin may not be opened by the crematorium’s employees.  Some crematoriums allow limited viewing of a cremation. eMalahleni Crematorium’ branches can accommodate viewings (with prior arrangement and approval).

The crematorium has a designated employee who puts the ashes into a small container.  The small container is returned to the undertaker who in turn releases the ashes to the family.  With written permission from the undertaker, the container can be returned directly to the family.

You may bring your own urn to any one of the two branches of eMalahleni Crematorium.

We trust we answered most of your frequently asked questions on cremation. Should you have additional questions do not hesitate to ask one of our friendly managers who will promptly and discreetly reply to your most intimate questions.