Can an obese person be cremated?

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Can an obese person be cremated?

The short answer to whether it’s possible for an obese person to be cremated is yes. However, there are concerns and some requirements for cremating someone who is morbidly overweight.

A larger retort, or crematory, might be required, and the funeral home you’ve chosen may not have one that is suitable. Cremation manufacturers are now building larger units to adapt to the higher percentage of Americans who are overweight.

If you are responsible for planning a cremation for someone who is considered obese, or if you are considering your own circumstances, the best advice is to call around. Speak to different cremation service providers, and be up front with your questions. You’re not the first to ask.

Here are a few questions you might ask:

  • Can you cremate someone who is over a certain weight?
  • Do you charge extra for this service?
  • Do you have a crematory onsite, or do you use a third party?
  • If you use a third party, is that crematory equipped to handle larger individuals?

If you don’t get the answer you are looking for, or you don’t feel the provider can accommodate you, try others in your area. As cremation becomes more popular, new providers are entering the market.

Preplanning cremation arrangements gives you and your family the advantage of having many of your concerns taken care of in advance of what is already a difficult time.

If you have an immediate need, search our network of cremation service providers in your area who may be able to assist you.