What Actually Happens During Cremation

You might not have a choice in how you die, but you and your family almost certainly have a choice in how you're treated after your death. For many Americans, cremation is steadily rising as an alternative to being buried underground in a coffin. While historians believe that the general idea of corporal disposition has been around for centuries, cremation as we know it is only about 150 years old. Unsurprisingly, it's changed with the times, incorporating new technology and options to accommodate the wishes of the deceased. Here's what happens to a body once it's been cremated.