introductions
In the UK 70% of us will be cremated. But what really happens when the curtains close, and the coffin slides away or descends? What happens to us in the cremator / retort (that's what they call the special incinerator)?
To see what goes on we are going to meet Vicky.
Vicky is in her forties and pole dances to keep fit.
Victoria recently said "My Dad always wanted a cremation and sadly he passed in 2001 of cancer. ...... He was always very up front about how he wanted his funeral, and always insisted on cremation and to have his ashes scattered at the Winter Garden in Warrington...he is not there really as he lives on in my heart! ...... and when my time comes I will be cremated where my Dad was!"
On this site we will follow Victoria to Walton Lea Crematorium - where her dad was also cremated. To examine in great detail what happens to her.
masonic
One more thing, Vicky is a Mason. As the Encyclopedia of Cremation says: "the role of freemasons in the history of cremation is particularly important" (p. 207)
Take the case of Thomas Barnabas Hanham, a very active freemason. In 1882 Hanham organized the cremation of his third wife and of his mother - at a time when cremation was not yet legal in England. The cremations took place in a purpose built crematorium at Manston House - Hanham's home. When Hanham himself died in 1883 he was given a full Masonic funeral and then was cremated the following evening.
In Argentina all the early cremationists were masons. European Freemasons encouraged cremation on three very noble grounds. Firstly, to secularize society. Secondly, to provide a sanatory method of disposing of the dead. This was encouraged by medical doctors belonging to the masonic lodges. Finally, to oppose the Catholic Church. French Freemasons held anti-Catholic demonstrations, in which they burned their dead saying "There, you see: they won't rise again! ... "
In the light of her masonic initiation it is appropriate that Victoria will be cremated and will never rise again.
"Money would be the first reason that a person should consider cremation over a burial. ..... the loved one who passed just may have old bills to settle which the extra money could help balance ......... 
"I, for one, have joined the approximately 15% of Americans who are opting for the "ashes to ashes" method of disposal ....
"(Cremation) takes less space. Just think of all the space we waste for human remains. .... I'd say it's smarter to buy real estate for something more useful than a grave. Waste not want not means that you should use the space you save to live within, not be buried in. The earth should be for the living, so let the dead be free to fly, because you see, the dead don't need to rest in peace. That's something only the living need to do.