.]] Cremation is the act of reducing a corpse by burning, generally in a crematorium furnace or crematory fire. Contrary to popular belief, the remains are not ashes, but rather bone fragments which are then crushed in a device called a cremulator. In funerals, cremation can be an alternative funeral rite to the burial of a body in a grave. Modern cremation process The cremation occurs in a 'crematorium' consisting of one or more cremator furnaces or cremation 'retorts' for the ashes. A cremator is an industrial furnace capable of generating 870-980 °C (1600-1800 °F) to ensure disintegration of the corpse. A crematorium may be part of chapel or a funeral home, or part of an independent facility or a service offered by a cemetery. Modern cremator fuels include natural gas and propane. However, coal or coke were used until the early 1960s. Modern cremators have adjustable control s