CCS CCS Cremation Chemistry and Science 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What happens to organic soft tissue (muscle, fat, organs) during cremation?
- It is converted into liquid and drains from the chamber
- It is fully combusted and converted to gases and water vapor (Correct answer)
- It solidifies into a carbon residue that must be manually removed
- It fuses with bone mineral to form the cremated remains
Correct answer: It is fully combusted and converted to gases and water vapor
Organic soft tissue is fully combusted during cremation, converting to carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases that exit through the exhaust system.
Question 2: Why must cardiac pacemakers be removed from a body before cremation?
- They contain radioactive isotopes that contaminate the cremated remains
- The lithium battery can explode at cremation temperatures, damaging the retort (Correct answer)
- They cause electromagnetic interference with the retort's control system
- They leave toxic metal residues in the cremated remains that are hazardous
Correct answer: The lithium battery can explode at cremation temperatures, damaging the retort
Pacemaker batteries can explode when exposed to cremation temperatures, potentially causing severe damage to the retort and injury to staff.
Question 3: At what approximate temperature do bone minerals begin to calcine (transform) during cremation?
- 200–400°F (93–204°C)
- 600–800°F (315–427°C)
- Above 1,300°F (704°C) (Correct answer)
- Only above 2,000°F (1,093°C)
Correct answer: Above 1,300°F (704°C)
Significant calcination of bone mineral begins above approximately 1,300°F (704°C), where hydroxyapatite begins to decompose and transform.
Question 4: What is the significance of moisture content in a body at the start of cremation?
- Higher moisture increases combustion speed by supplying hydrogen fuel
- Higher moisture requires more energy and time to evaporate before combustion can proceed efficiently (Correct answer)
- Moisture prevents complete calcination of bone minerals
- Moisture has no significant effect on the cremation process
Correct answer: Higher moisture requires more energy and time to evaporate before combustion can proceed efficiently
High moisture content requires additional energy to evaporate water from tissues before effective combustion can begin, extending cremation time.
Question 5: What is 'incomplete cremation' and what is its most common cause?
- Remains that weigh less than expected — caused by genetic variation in bone density
- Bone fragments that are not fully calcined — caused by insufficient temperature, time, or oxygen (Correct answer)
- Remains contaminated with metal implants — caused by failure to remove surgical hardware
- Cremated remains with a dark color — caused by the type of container used
Correct answer: Bone fragments that are not fully calcined — caused by insufficient temperature, time, or oxygen
Incomplete cremation results in uncalcined bone fragments and is most commonly caused by insufficient temperature, reduced time in the retort, or inadequate oxygen supply.
Question 6: Why are metal orthopedic implants (hip replacements, rods, plates) typically left in the body during cremation?
- They are required to be returned to the family with the cremated remains by federal law
- They do not combust and can be safely separated from the cremains after processing (Correct answer)
- They help support the remains in the retort for more even heat distribution
- They must be removed before cremation but are often overlooked by operators
Correct answer: They do not combust and can be safely separated from the cremains after processing
Metal implants do not combust at cremation temperatures and are separated from the cremains after processing, typically recycled through approved programs.
CCS CCS Cremation Chemistry and Science 2
What happens to organic soft tissue (muscle, fat, organs) during cremation?