- The Process: Cremation reduces a body to bone fragments using high heat (flame cremation) or a water-based solution (water cremation). This typically takes 7-10 business days from start to finish.
- Identification is Key: We use a strict, multi-step identification process, including a stainless steel tag that stays with your loved one from the moment they enter our care until their ashes are returned.
- No Embalming Needed: For direct cremation, embalming is not required in Texas.
- Private and Individual: Every cremation is performed individually in our private, luxury crematory. We never cremate more than one person at a time.
- Eco-Friendly Options: We offer both traditional flame cremation and water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis), a gentle, eco-friendly alternative with no airborne emissions.
- Clear Next Steps: We handle all paperwork and return the ashes to you, ready for you to honor your loved one in a way that feels right.
I’m Eric Neuhaus, owner of Cremation.Green. After more than 20 years of serving families here in Austin and across Central Texas, the question I’m asked most often is, “What really happens during a cremation?” It’s a fair question, and it deserves a straightforward, honest answer. When you’re making these kinds of decisions, you need clarity, not more confusion. My goal is to explain our process so you feel confident and informed every step of the way.
What Is Cremation and Who Is It For?
Cremation is a process that respectfully reduces a body to its basic elements, primarily bone fragments, which are then processed into what we commonly call “ashes.”
Families across Texas choose cremation for many personal, financial, and cultural reasons. It’s a choice that offers flexibility in how you choose to memorialize a loved one, whether it’s scattering ashes in a meaningful place, keeping them at home, or burying them in a cemetery. The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) projects that by 2025, cremation will be chosen in over 63% of deaths in the U.S., a trend you can read more about in the NFDA’s 2025 Cremation and Burial Report.
This service is for any family seeking a dignified, simple, and trusted alternative to traditional burial. At Cremation.Green, we specialize in providing these services with complete transparency, backed by the trust of over 450 five-star reviews from Texas families.
How the Cremation Process Works Step-by-Step
Our process is built on two pillars: dignity and accountability. From the moment your loved one enters our care until their ashes are returned to you, we follow a meticulous set of procedures governed by the Texas Funeral Service Commission.
Here’s an overview of how we handle each stage:
| Stage | What It Involves | Our Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival & Paperwork | Your loved one is brought into our care, and we complete all necessary legal documents and permits. | We handle all paperwork with precision, keeping you informed. You can review our Transparent Pricing at any time. |
| Identification | A rigorous, multi-step identification process begins to ensure absolute certainty. | A stainless steel ID tag is assigned and stays with your loved one throughout the entire process. |
| Preparation | The body is respectfully prepared for cremation. Pacemakers or other medical devices are removed. | This step is performed with the utmost dignity in our private, luxury crematory. For details, see how a body is prepared for cremation. |
| The Cremation | The cremation takes place in our chamber, monitored by certified technicians. | We guarantee a private, individual cremation every time. No exceptions. |
| Processing | The remaining bone fragments are carefully gathered, cooled, and processed into “ashes.” | Our process ensures all recoverable remains are collected and treated with reverence. |
| Return to Family | The ashes are placed in an urn and prepared for return to you. | We coordinate a secure and timely return, completing our circle of care. |
You can see a complete walkthrough of these steps on Our Process page.
What to Expect When You Work With Us
When you call us, you’ll speak directly with a compassionate professional who will guide you without pressure. We take on the administrative burdens, like securing the death certificate and cremation permit, so you don’t have to.
Positive Identification is Our Priority
Nothing is more important than our identification protocol. We use a multi-point verification system to ensure complete accuracy. A durable, stainless steel identification tag is assigned upon arrival and remains with your loved one through the entire process, right up to the final return of their ashes. This isn’t just a rule; it’s my personal promise to you. Our reputation as one of the highest-rated funeral homes in Texas is built on this foundation of trust.
Inside Our Private Cremation Facility
Once authorizations are complete, the cremation occurs in our private, state-of-the-art crematory. Unlike providers who outsource this step, we have complete control, ensuring privacy and accountability. Your loved one is placed in a required cremation container, which you can learn about in our guide on what cremation containers are and why they are necessary.
The container is then placed into the cremation chamber, or retort. The chamber reaches a temperature between 1,400 and 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, which reduces the body to bone fragments over two to three hours. The process is always conducted individually.
After a cooling period, the fragments are carefully gathered and processed into the fine particles you know as “ashes.” They are then placed into an urn for return to your family. You can learn more about different containers used for ashes after cremation here.
Common Questions About the Cremation Process
I’ve been answering questions from families for over 20 years. Here are the most common ones I receive about how cremation is done.
How long does the entire cremation process take?
The entire process, from the moment your loved one enters our care until the ashes are ready for return, typically takes 7 to 10 business days. This allows us to handle all legal paperwork correctly, including securing the death certificate and county permits, without rushing.
Is embalming required for cremation?
No, embalming is not required for cremation in Texas. It’s only necessary if you plan a public viewing with an open casket. For direct cremation, it’s an unnecessary step.
Can more than one person be cremated at a time?
Absolutely not. Texas law and our strict ethical code require that every cremation is performed individually. The stainless steel ID tag assigned at the beginning stays with your loved one throughout, ensuring the ashes returned to you are theirs and theirs alone.
What happens to medical devices like pacemakers?
Before cremation, we must remove any battery-operated medical devices like pacemakers, as they can react under high heat. You’ll decide if you want jewelry or other personal items to remain with your loved one or be returned to you.
What’s the difference between flame and water cremation?
We offer both traditional flame cremation and water cremation, an eco-friendly cremation alternative. Flame cremation uses heat, while water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis) uses a gentle flow of warm water and an alkali solution. Water cremation uses 90% less energy and produces no airborne emissions. You can read more about Water Cremation on our site.
Eco-Conscious Cremation Options
Many families I speak with in Austin and across Texas are looking for ways to make a lighter impact on the environment. That’s why we offer water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis.
This process uses a gentle, water-based method to accelerate natural decomposition. Because it doesn’t involve combustion, it produces no airborne emissions and uses significantly less energy than flame cremation. The result is a fine, white powder, and families often receive 20-30% more ashes back.
My focus is always on providing dignified, transparent care. Offering sustainable choices is part of that commitment. You can find more details on our eco-friendly cremation services page.
Helpful Next Steps
After the cremation, the final step is returning your loved one’s ashes to you. We’ll coordinate a time for you to pick them up or arrange for secure delivery. From there, how you choose to honor them is a deeply personal decision. Some families keep the ashes at home, while others choose to scatter them in a meaningful place.
Navigating the tasks after a death can be difficult. Our checklist for when someone dies can help guide you through other important responsibilities.
I know this is a difficult time filled with hard decisions. My hope is that by explaining how cremation is done with clarity and honesty, I can remove some of the uncertainty for you.
If you have more questions or need to arrange cremation services in Texas, my team and I are here to help, 24/7. Please don’t hesitate to call. We’re here to provide the guidance you need with the compassion you deserve.
Eric Neuhaus, Owner
https://www.cremation.green