Cremation Equipment FAQs

The right system depends on several factors, including whether you serve human or pet cremation customers, your expected daily or annual volume, the largest case you need to accommodate, whether you offer individual or communal cremation, your available facility space, fuel availability, and local emissions requirements. A Matthews representative can review your operational goals and recommend an appropriately sized system.

The PowerPak I is designed for new and lower-volume crematories performing approximately four or fewer cremations per day. It offers automatic operation, cremation times of 120 minutes or less, and options for remote operation and monitoring.

The PowerPak I is generally intended for facilities performing four or fewer cremations per day. The PowerPak II Plus provides additional capacity for small and medium-sized facilities performing up to approximately six cremations per day, with cremation times of 100 minutes or less and an M-Pyre control system for automatic operation and remote support.

The IEB-16 is designed for lower-volume pet cremation facilities. It has a listed cremation rate of 100 pounds per hour, a safe load capacity of 300 pounds, and can be used for individual or communal loads. A Matthews representative can confirm whether it matches your anticipated case mix and daily volume.

Matthews offers multi-chamber pet cremation systems with configurations of up to eight chambers. Depending on the model and operation, these systems can accommodate 60 or more individual pet cremations per day. The IEB-32-5, for example, is designed for higher-production facilities handling approximately 3,500 to 5,500 pets per year.

Yes. Matthews offers bulk and livestock cremation systems designed for larger animals. The IEB-50 includes an extra-wide loading door and hearth floor for equine and livestock loading, with a listed safe load capacity of 4,000 pounds. Additional large-capacity models are also available.

Several Matthews pet cremation systems support individual, segregated, or communal operating methods. Available modes vary by model, so the system should be selected according to the services your business plans to offer and the identification procedures required for each service.

Important first steps include determining your service model, estimating expected volume, securing an appropriate property, reviewing zoning and air-quality requirements, planning intake and identification procedures, and selecting equipment with enough capacity for future growth. You should also plan private unloading space, storage and staging areas, and an appropriate area for families who may visit or witness a cremation.

Space requirements depend on the cremator, accessories, workflow, storage needs, utility connections, exhaust system, and local building requirements. Matthews recommends planning for growth by reserving space for additional equipment and allowing adequate room for private unloading, staging, processing, and maintenance access. Product pages provide the dimensions and weight of individual systems.

Requirements vary by country, state, province, county, and municipality. Projects may require land-use approval, zoning authorization, building permits, air-quality or environmental permits, utility approvals, and operating certificates. These requirements should be investigated before purchasing property or finalizing equipment. Matthews can assist with project planning and help coordinate necessary regulatory inspections, but approvals are issued by the applicable local authorities.

Financing may be available through third-party lending partners, depending on the project and location. Financing can help reduce the initial capital required for equipment and may sometimes be combined with financing for the overall facility. Terms, eligibility, and availability should be confirmed with a Matthews representative and the participating lender.

Yes. Depending on the selected scope of service, Matthews can help coordinate unloading, rigging, utility connections, exhaust stacks, emissions equipment, control systems, testing, and commissioning. Some standard systems arrive pre-wired, pre-piped, and pre-tested, but they still require appropriate site preparation and final connections.

Yes. Operator training can be included as part of commissioning, helping personnel learn to operate and maintain the installed system. Matthews also offers crematory operator education covering equipment operation, terminology, recordkeeping, safety, and basic troubleshooting. Course availability, delivery format, and certification requirements should be confirmed when registering.

Requirements vary by model. Many Matthews systems operate on natural gas or LP gas, while certain human cremation systems may also offer oil configurations. Electrical voltage and phase requirements also vary. Fuel availability and utility capacity should be confirmed during site planning before the equipment is ordered.

Yes. Matthews offers standard cremation systems, abatement-ready equipment, emissions-control features, and engineered abatement systems. The appropriate configuration depends on the equipment, waste or case type, operating conditions, and applicable environmental regulations.

Common accessories include cremated-remains processors, ventless processing stations, metal-recovery processors, hydraulic lift tables, autoloaders, receiving stations, coolers, and operating supplies. The appropriate accessories depend on your expected volume, facility layout, staffing, and desired workflow.

A processor helps reduce cremated remains to a consistent final texture before they are placed into a temporary container or urn. Matthews offers processing equipment for both human and animal cremation operations. The correct processor will depend on expected volume, available space, ventilation needs, and whether metal separation is part of your workflow.

Matthews recommends an annual preventive maintenance inspection to identify potential problems before they cause an unexpected shutdown. Maintenance frequency may need to be increased for high-volume facilities or equipment operating under demanding conditions.

A Matthews preventive maintenance inspection can include examination of refractory materials, mechanical components, burners, blowers, hydraulic and draft systems, electrical systems, controllers, fuel and air calibrations, safety devices, equipment clearances, and the exhaust stack. The inspection concludes with a written report describing the equipment’s condition and recommended repairs.

Matthews’ field-service teams provide preventive maintenance, repairs, component replacement, control-panel work, refractory rebuilding, and other technical services. The company states that its service teams can support crematory equipment from multiple manufacturers; specific equipment coverage and service availability should be confirmed when scheduling.

Yes. Matthews offers preventive maintenance and fixed-cost service-plan options. Depending on the selected plan, coverage may include inspections, refractory and electrical repairs, parts, labor, freight, supplies, warranties, or technology upgrades. Availability and coverage vary, so the current plan terms should be reviewed with a service representative.

Brochures can be requested through the form on the applicable product page. For a more detailed recommendation, provide information about your business, anticipated volume, location, available property, utilities, permitting status, and the services you plan to offer.

Pricing depends on the equipment model, capacity, control system, emissions requirements, accessories, installation scope, freight, site conditions, and requested service package. Matthews provides project-specific recommendations and quotations after reviewing the facility and operational requirements.

Yes. Matthews serves cremation and incineration customers internationally and provides equipment, engineered systems, installation support, training, and service through its global resources. The exact equipment certifications, service coverage, and financing options available will depend on the project’s location.