Cost of Electric Cremation vs. Traditional Cremation: Is It Worth It?

Aman

01 April, 2025

Table of Contents

What is an Electric Cremation?
What does an Electric Cremation place or an Electric Crematorium consist of?
Functioning of the Electrical Cremation Services
Is Electric Cremation expensive when compared with Traditional Wooden Cremation?
How can you make an electric cremation easier and quicker?
Benefits of choosing Electric Cremation over Traditional Wooden Cremation?
Final Words

In Hinduism, Cremation is a prime custom performed after the demise of a person. Usually, most families choose traditional Wooden Cremation to offer a dignified farewell to the departed soul. But the rapid increase of pollution in the surroundings is creating an alarming situation. Therefore, society is shifting towards the advanced and eco-friendly cremation of the deceased body instead of choosing traditional wooden cremation.

Electronic Cremation and Gas Cremation are two highly popular alternatives for the traditional wooden ones. Here is a brief description of Electric Cremation's working, advantages, disadvantages and cost etc.

What is an Electric Cremation?

Electric cremation does not need wood, cow dung cakes, or any inflammable substance like Kerosene Oil. Here are the essential parts of an Electric Crematorium.

What does an Electric Cremation place or an Electric Crematorium consist of?

An Electrical Crematorium consists of

A Moveable Trolley
Furnace
Gas Cleaning System with Venture Scrubber
Chimney approximately 100 feet
Controls

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Functioning of the Electrical Cremation Services

The initial process of cremating a deceased body in the Electric Cremation equipment is called incineration.
The furnace or incinerator stays at a very high temperature.
The staff workers place the human remains or the dead body in the combustion chamber which is called retort.The crematory or retort is usually outlined with refractory bricks. These bricks help in maintaining the retort stable during the high fluctuations in temperature. In the furnace chambers there are some holes at the bottom surface.
An Electric Crematorium is made up of a double-chamber cremation furnace. In the middle, a strong cremation bed is available where secondary air holes are present.
Apart from it, the electrical connections available in the Electric Crematorium, do not require any particular fittings. A simple 220 Volts electrical outlet is enough to make the furnace operational.
The capacity of the electric furnace is usually 54 Kilo Watt. Along with it the heating coils and terminal rods will be bonded with the side walls of the furnace.
The fitting of devices ensures the prevention of any kind of dispersion from the chamber where electric cremation takes place. It restrains the smoke and odors.
The usual time of cremating the deceased body inside the furnace is about 60 to 90 minutes. But several other factors, such as the size of the dead body and other biological reasons, may extend the cremation time.
If any hazardous gas or other substances are produced inside the furnace during the cremation, they will be piped out from cremation chamber and cleaned by venture scrubber with water treatment. The final hot air will be discharged with the help of a 100-foot-high chimney.
Electric Crematorium system consists of necessary controls such as auto-on and off, cut-off switches and other essential controls for the safety of cremation.

Is Electric Cremation expensive when compared with Traditional Wooden Cremation?

Electric Cremation has its benefits such as reducing carbon emissions, dialing down deforestation, and keeping the environment clean,n etc. But one more key benefit of choosing Electric Cremation over traditional wooden cremation is, Cost Effectiveness.

Due to the absence of any kind of large wooden logs, additional cow dung cakes and inflammable substance, Electric Cremation is a budget-friendly option for the people. Along with it, electric cremation works on usual principle of electricity consumption. Hence the charges are bearable for anyone.

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How can you make an electric cremation easier and quicker?

By hiring a well-learned and professional funeral director team that has potential information regarding the electric crematoriums and their procedures, one can make its execution easier.

Booking the venue (any of the electric cremation locations available in Mumbai) for the cremation on behalf of the deceased's family.
Providing a safe and quick transportation to the dead body from the residence to the Vishram Sthal or Cremation Ground.
Arrangement of the Antim Sanskar Samagri that includes all the essential items for the cremation rite.
Hiring a professional and well-learned hindu priest or pandit ji for guiding the lead mourner during the cremation ceremony. He will also chant appropriate hymns and preach to the family regarding the death and importance of the cremation ceremony.
The team prepares the dead body for cremation. We wash it, clean it, and dress it up for the electric cremation procedure.
Decoration of the vehicle used in the transportation of the dead body.
Decoration of the cremation ground by a professional florist if the family wants.
Arrangement of the tech tools for the zoom meet and live telecast of the cremation rite for those family and friends who are unable to join the cremation in person.
Providing a beautiful (earthen or metal) urn to collect the ashes of the deceased body after cremation
Helping the deceased's family in Asthi Visarjan at a specific location
Along with these fundamental services, the team leaves some room for additional personalized services if the family wants to include them in the package.

Benefits of choosing Electric Cremation over Traditional Wooden Cremation?

Electric Cremation is less time-consuming than traditional wooden cremation. Usually, it takes 50-60 minutes to offer a respectful cremation according to the Hindu religion. For spending more time at the cremation ground, the team or family can discuss with the authority of the electric cremation ground. The family members are allowed to collect the human remains or ashes in an urn after the dead body is completely cremated.

Final Words

It is an efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly manner to bid farewell to our loved ones. Electric Cremation provides a respectful way to reduce the dead body to ashes in a environment friendly manner.

If you are exploring cremation options, consider electric cremation as a practical and responsible choice. Several crematoriums have started to provide this service, making it easily accessible for the families of deceased across the world. One might say it is a forward-thinking solution for honoring the loved one's life and legacy, along with care of the environment.