Cremation and Clothing

I can't believe it's been nearly two years since I posted a question here about getting hold of a dead body. Ah, time flies.

Same book, question about a completely different body:

When a person is cremated, are they cremated wearing clothes, or is the body sent through naked?

I've been looking up information on cremation and associated services, but the finer points about what happens to the body, of course, aren't often covered in mortuary marketing FAQs. There's ample discussion of selecting a casket for pre-cremation viewing, and obviously clothes would be required in that scenario. But I'm wondering, if there's no wake, just a cremation and memorial service later, would the family still pick out clothes for the deceased? It seems to me that they would, but I've never been in that position and just don't know what's normal.

Unfortunately, the one relative I have who could answer this for me is probably too close to the experience to discuss the matter. Any experiences in this area would be helpful.

I'd like my main character to pick out clothes for her deceased grandfather, but he's being cremated without a wake, so I don't want it to seem unrealistic.

KTC said:

In 99% of cases, the clothes will be on.

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Kevin, is there a thread you aren't in? LOL.

Thanks.

Just Me said:

It depends. The people at the funeral home will ask for the family's preference.

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Thanks. That's what I imagined.

KTC said:

What can I say...I'm a knitter. I trust you got my rep comment.

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Well I know where to go then for more answers if I have questions. This was the big one because I've been involved in making preparations for wakes, funerals, and burials. But all of those involved open caskets and clear cases where the deceased had to wear clothes. There've only been two cremations in my family, and I didn't handle either one. I can't ask the person who did.

Thanks!

CACTUSWENDY said:

Interesting question would be.....if I am fried with clothes on....do they filter out the buttons and zippers before they put me in the jar? Hey, inquirin minds want to know.

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Here's an excerpt from CA Health and Safety Code, which came up in my old post about the handling of bodies post-mortem:

7010.3. "Processing" means the removal of foreign objects, pursuant
to Section 7051, and the reduction of the particle size of cremated
remains by mechanical means including, but not limited to, grinding,
crushing, and pulverizing to a consistency appropriate for
disposition.

Whether "processing" is a preferred practice, required, or optional may depend on where you live.

More CA H&SC Here, but not a specific answer.

KTC said:

Well...if you have any other questions...please feel free to contact me PM...I can answer most of them through her, I am sure.

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Thank you.

And thank you all. I just started writing this chapter assuming that my MC would be picking out clothes for her grandfather. And then it dawned on me that maybe that wasn't even done for cremation. It just seemed so natural that the deceased would require clothing, no matter what the plans were.

Maryn said:

I suspect that the dignity aspect of the mortuary business might be badly harmed if clothing were routinely removed before cremation (or burial).

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That was my thought, as well. Thanks.