Cremation and faith: what scripture says and what truly matters after passing

Cremation is the process of incineration of the body of a deceased person at very high temperatures, with only a relatively small amount of “ash” left at the end, for the family to either keep, bury or scatter. The truth is that cremation remains taboo in many cultures and religions, but despite that, it has gained popularity over conventional funerals in recent years.

There are many misconceptions surrounding the process of cremation, which leads people to feel scared of it — but that fear simply comes from the unknown.

Lauren, a former funeral home worker who goes by @lovee.miss.lauren on TikTok, decided to walk her followers — over 2.5 million — through the process of cremation and bust a few common myths.

According to her, the most common question she gets is, “How can I be certain that the ashes I receive truly belong to my loved one?”

Lauren walks families through the process, explaining that when a body arrives at the crematory, it is tagged with a metal ID plate carrying a unique number. That plate stays with the body throughout cremation. Afterward, the ashes are sealed in a bag with the proper identification, and the family is given a cremation certificate listing the person’s name and registration number.

Some of the questions people ask may sound unusual, but they address real concerns. For instance, one person asked if a tampon is removed when a woman passes away during her menstrual cycle. Lauren explains that, in most cases, an autopsy is performed before cremation, and items like tampons are removed—especially if embalming is part of the process. All of this is done following strict protocols and only with the family’s consent, ensuring the body is treated with dignity and respect.

Louise Singer, manager of Bramcote Bereavement Services in the UK, explained that before cremation, coffins are inspected for items that cannot be burned, such as metal objects. She stressed the importance of checking for pacemakers, as they can explode in the heat and even shift a massive cremation chamber.

Well, not only does the process of cremation itself raise questions for those who decide to have their loved ones cremated, but also the question of what happens to the soul afterward. This especially bothers those who are religious and believe in the afterlife and in the concept of the soul living forever.