Is the Coffin Cremated With the Body?
The short answer is yes, in Australia, the coffin is cremated along with the deceased.
During cremation, the body is placed into the cremator inside the coffin. Everything placed in the cremation chamber is cremated together.
The process usually takes 1.5 to 3 hours at temperatures between 760°C and 980°C. Afterward, only bone fragments remain, which are processed into what we commonly call ashes.
What Type of Coffin Is Used in Australia?
For cremation, most Australian funeral homes provide:
- Timber coffins
- MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard) or particleboard coffins
- Environmentally friendly or cardboard coffins
Under Australian regulations, the body must be placed in a combustible coffin or container for cremation. It does not need to be an expensive casket unless the family chooses one for a viewing or service.
What Happens to Metal Parts?
Some coffins may have small metal fittings.
After cremation:
- Metal fragments are separated from the ashes.
- These metals are recycled responsibly by the crematorium.
Industry standards are guided by organisations such as the National Funeral Directors Association, in which our own Michael Crawford is the Victoria Board Member.
Do You Need an Expensive Coffin?
No. An expensive coffin is not required for cremation.
As a family-owned and operated funeral home, we believe in transparency and dignity at every stage. The coffin you choose for the service is the same coffin used for cremation; we do not transfer your loved one into a different container afterward.
Families are welcome to choose a simple, cremation-approved coffin that is suitable for both the service and the cremation. This ensures a respectful, straightforward process without unnecessary costs.
Final Answer
Yes, in Australia the coffin is cremated with the body.
However, it doesn’t have to be costly. A simple, approved coffin is all that’s required for a respectful and dignified cremation.
