Funeral director ‘myth busts’ after showing what really happens to a coffin in a crematorium

For many, the process of cremation remains shrouded in mystery and misconceptions. Funeral director Simon Savage, with over a decade of experience, recently took to TikTok to demystify the process and address common myths. In a video that has since gone viral, Savage provided a behind-the-scenes look at what actually happens when a coffin enters a crematorium.

The video, which has garnered over 719,000 views, begins with Savage explaining that the coffin shown contains the remains of a deceased person and that he had obtained permission to film the process. The coffin, made of wood with gold detailing, sits on a metal slab as the retort door—the entrance to the cremation chamber—opens. Contrary to popular belief, there are no visible flames inside the chamber.

The coffin is then gently pushed into the chamber using an automatic paddle-like device. Once the coffin is inside, the retort door closes, and the cremation process begins. According to DFW Europe, the temperature inside a cremation furnace typically ranges between 1,000 and 1,300 degrees Celsius (1,832 to 2,372 degrees Fahrenheit). The entire process takes between one to three hours, followed by an additional one to two hours to cool the ashes.

Savage’s video aimed to clarify misconceptions, particularly the myth that the body is set on fire. Instead, the intense heat of the chamber reduces the body to bone fragments, which are then processed into ashes. The ashes, composed primarily of calcium from the bones, are what remain after the process is complete. Any metal components, such as coffin handles or medical implants, are removed afterward.

The video sparked a flood of questions from curious viewers. One person asked, “What does it look like ‘finished’? When the door reopens?” The Otter Valley Funerals account responded, “Without being crass, it’s just a pile of bones.” Another viewer expressed an irrational fear, asking if there’s a final check to ensure the person inside is deceased. The funeral home reassured them, explaining that the funeral director conducts a final check to confirm the identity of the deceased before the coffin is closed, and the crematorium trusts the nameplate on the coffin.

A third viewer inquired whether a body could be cremated without a coffin. The response clarified that the minimum requirement is a shroud on a charging board, but a coffin is typically used. The ashes returned to the family are primarily bone fragments, as the rest of the body is reduced to nothing at such high temperatures.

Savage’s straightforward explanation has provided clarity for many, helping to dispel fears and misconceptions about the cremation process. As he concluded in the video, “It’s as simple as that. I hope that answers a lot of questions.”

For those curious about what happens after death, Savage’s video offers a rare and respectful glimpse into a process that is often misunderstood. It’s a reminder that, while the afterlife remains a mystery, the physical journey of the body is one that can be explained with care and transparency.