When a family chooses cremation, the questions that surface are often surprisingly specific. You may be making decisions about paperwork and timing, and then someone quietly asks, “What happens to Dad’s gold tooth?” Or you remember a loved one’s crown, bridge, or old-school gold filling and wonder whether it survives the heat—or whether it’s possible to get it back.
This is a tender topic because it’s rarely only about the metal. It’s about stewardship, consent, and wanting to do right by someone who can’t speak for themselves anymore. It’s also about understanding what comes home after cremation, and what choices you have next—whether that’s choosing cremation urns, sharing ashes in keepsake urns, wearing cremation jewelry, or simply figuring out what to do with ashes when the immediate rush of arrangements slows down.
Below is a clear, practical guide to what typically happens to dental gold during cremation, why recovery isn’t always possible, and how to have a calm, informed conversation with the funeral home or crematory before the cremation occurs.
Why cremation heat matters, and what it does to dental metals
Cremation is a high-heat, carefully monitored process that reduces the body to bone fragments that are then processed into what families commonly call “ashes.” According to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), the cremation process usually occurs between 1400 and 1600 degrees Fahrenheit, though timing and conditions vary by jurisdiction and by the person’s size and the equipment used.
That temperature range is hot enough to consume soft tissue and leave bone fragments behind—but it doesn’t behave the same way with every metal. Some things warp, some oxidize, some remain intact, and some become small pieces that are difficult to identify later. CANA notes that metal can remain in the cremated remains from surgical implants and also from dental fillings, and that the metal is separated from the remains before the final processing step. CANA adds that the metal is typically recycled. CANA
Does gold melt during cremation?
Pure gold has a very high melting/freezing point. The Los Alamos National Laboratory’s periodic table reference notes a gold freezing point of 1064.43°C (about 1947.97°F). Los Alamos National Laboratory
That number matters because many cremations occur below the point where pure gold would fully melt. But dental restorations are rarely pure gold. Crowns, bridges, and inlays are often made from alloys—gold mixed with other metals to improve strength and wear. Alloying can change how a material behaves under heat. Some dental gold alloys may soften, deform, partially melt, or fuse with other metals present in the chamber even if they don’t “liquefy” into a neat puddle the way people imagine.
So the most honest answer is: dental gold may deform or partially melt depending on the alloy and the specific cremation conditions. And even when it doesn’t melt fully, it can end up as small, irregular pieces that aren’t recognizable as a crown anymore.
What happens to gold teeth and fillings after the cremation is complete?
Many families picture cremation as leaving behind only ash. In reality, what returns to the family is processed bone fragments, and anything non-combustible that remains is handled separately.
According to CANA, metal may be present in the cremated remains from things like surgical implants and dental fillings, and that metal is separated from the cremated remains before they are processed (pulverized). In a practical sense, that means the crematory typically removes metal fragments before the remains are placed into the container you take home—whether that’s a temporary container or a chosen urn.
What happens next depends on the facility. Many crematories collect non-organic metals and send them to a recycling partner. The Funeral Consumers Alliance explains that after separating post-cremation metals, crematories may ship the metal to an implant recycling company, and the crematory may either receive payment for the metals or have proceeds donated to charity.
That “metal stream” can include a range of materials: orthopedic implants, metal plates, screws, and sometimes dental alloys. Dental gold may be part of it, but it may not be individually tracked or identifiable once collected with other metals.
Can families recover gold teeth after cremation?
Sometimes a family asks this hoping for a straightforward “yes”—as if a crown could be handed back like a wedding ring. In most cases, it isn’t that simple.
Why recovery isn’t always possible
Even if a crown or filling remains as metal, it may be small, misshapen, or mixed with other fragments. It may also be removed during standard processing before anyone thinks to ask for it. Many crematories have policies that treat all recovered metals as part of a regulated recycling workflow rather than personal property to be returned.
There’s also the consent issue: dental work is part of the body, and removal requests can raise legal and ethical questions. Some providers will not remove dental restorations prior to cremation unless there is a clear, lawful authorization and a practical way to do it safely and respectfully. The result is that “recovery” is often not available as a routine option—and if it is possible, it usually requires an advance request and written consent before the cremation takes place.
If recovery matters to your family, timing is everything
If your family wants to ask about dental gold, the most important step is to discuss it before the cremation occurs, while the authorizations are being completed. Once the cremation and processing are done, it is often too late to identify or return a specific piece of dental metal.
How to talk with the funeral home or crematory about dental gold and metal recycling
It can feel awkward to bring up gold teeth in a moment of grief. A gentle way to approach it is to frame it as a consent and policy question, not a demand. You are simply asking how the facility handles non-combustible materials and what choices exist.
These are the most practical questions to ask, ideally before you sign final authorization forms:
- Does your crematory separate dental metals (like crowns or fillings) during processing, and is that metal typically recycled?
- If you participate in a metal recycling program, where do proceeds go (operational costs, a charity partner, or another destination)?
- Is there an option to opt out of recycling, or to direct proceeds in a specific way, and what written consent is required?
- If the family wants dental metals returned, is that possible at all—and if so, what is the process and what documentation is required before cremation?
- Are there any local or state rules that affect what can be removed, returned, or recycled?
If you’re also making broader decisions at the same time—service timing, budget, and next steps—this is part of funeral planning in the most real-world sense: understanding policies early so there are fewer surprises later.
What comes home after cremation, and how that connects to urn choices
Families often ask about dental gold because they’re trying to picture the whole process: what’s returned, what isn’t, and what happens next. Once the cremated remains are ready, you may receive them in a temporary container if you haven’t chosen an urn yet. That pause is common—and it can be helpful, because it gives you time to decide what “right” looks like for your family.
If your plan is to keep the remains at home for now, you might begin with Funeral.com’s collection of cremation urns for ashes, which includes many styles and materials designed for long-term care and display. If you already know you’ll be sharing portions among siblings or children, keepsake cremation urns for ashes can make that sharing feel intentional rather than improvised. And if you’re working with limited space—an apartment shelf, a small memorial table, or a travel plan—small cremation urns for ashes may fit your life better than a full-size container.
Many families also appreciate a clear walkthrough of how urn decisions connect to real plans like home placement, burial, scattering, or travel. Funeral.com’s guide How to Choose a Cremation Urn That Actually Fits Your Plans is designed for exactly that moment—when your heart is full and your brain wants something practical to hold onto.
Keeping ashes at home, without feeling unsure
Sometimes the question “Can we recover the gold?” is a stand-in for a deeper question: “What do we do now that the cremation is over?” For many families, keeping ashes at home is the first step, either temporarily or long-term. When done thoughtfully, it can feel grounding: a quiet, private memorial space that doesn’t rush grief.
If you’re considering that route, Funeral.com’s guide Keeping Ashes at Home: How to Do It Safely, Respectfully, and Legally answers the common practical concerns—placement, visitors, children and pets, and how to make a home memorial feel comforting rather than heavy.
When families want a shareable or wearable memorial
Not everyone wants a single urn in a single location. Some families want everyone to have a small portion. Others want a discreet memorial they can carry through daily life—especially if grief feels like something that follows you from room to room.
This is where cremation jewelry becomes less of a product category and more of a form of support. A small pendant can hold a symbolic amount of ashes while most remains stay in an urn. If you’re exploring that option, you can browse cremation jewelry and cremation necklaces, and pair shopping with education through Funeral.com’s Journal guide Cremation Necklaces for Ashes: Types, Materials, Filling Tips & What to Buy.
Often the best plan is blended: a full-size urn for the majority, keepsake urns for a few close relatives, and one piece of cremation jewelry for the person who needs the comfort of closeness. There is no “too much” or “not enough” here—only what fits your family.
Water burial, sea scattering, and biodegradable options
Sometimes families asking about dental gold are also trying to map the next chapter: an ocean ceremony, a lake scattering, a burial in a family plot, or a private goodbye somewhere meaningful. If your plan involves water burial or burial at sea, container choice matters—especially if you want an urn designed to dissolve rather than float forever.
Funeral.com’s guide Water Burial and Burial at Sea: What “3 Nautical Miles” Means helps families understand the planning details that can otherwise feel stressful on the day itself. And if you want to browse purpose-built options, Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly Urns for Ashes is a focused collection that includes water-soluble designs as well as earth-friendly choices.
What about pet cremation and dental work?
Families don’t only ask these questions after a human death. Pet owners sometimes wonder about metal, dental work, or implants too—especially if their dog or cat had extensive veterinary dentistry. Policies can differ widely, and in pet cremation the return of ashes may also depend on whether the cremation is private (your pet alone) or communal (ashes are not returned individually).
If you are navigating pet loss, it can help to start with a clear overview of choices and sizes, then choose a memorial that feels gentle rather than overwhelming. Funeral.com’s pet cremation urns for ashes collection includes traditional urns, keepsakes, and artistic options. Many families who want something that looks like a sculpture or figurine—something that feels like “them”—browse pet figurine cremation urns for ashes. If sharing a small portion among family members feels right, pet keepsake cremation urns for ashes can create multiple comfort points in one home. And if you want a calm guide alongside those choices, read Pet Urns for Ashes: A Complete Guide for Dog and Cat Owners.
Where cost questions fit into this conversation
Even families who don’t want to talk about money end up needing to. That’s not cold—it’s reality. Cost concerns often show up alongside questions like dental gold because families are trying to understand what is included, what is optional, and what choices might change the total. If you’re asking how much does cremation cost, it helps to separate the cremation arrangement itself from memorial choices like an urn, keepsakes, or a service.
Funeral.com’s Journal articles Cremation Costs Breakdown: Average US Prices, Fees, and Add-Ons to Watch and Average Cost of Cremation and an Urn: What You’ll Pay in 2025 are designed to make pricing less mysterious without stripping away the human side of the decision.
Why these questions are becoming more common
The rise in cremation is one reason families are asking more detailed questions about the process—what remains, what is removed, and how policies work. The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) reports that the U.S. cremation rate is projected to reach 63.4% in 2025. The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) notes that the U.S. cremation rate in 2024 was 61.8%.
As cremation becomes more common, it’s natural that families want more transparency around the details—especially around items that carry meaning, value, or ethical complexity.
A compassionate bottom line
If you’re wondering what happens to dental gold during cremation, you’re not being “weird” or “materialistic.” You’re trying to understand the process and make sure consent and policy match your family’s values. In many cases, dental gold may deform or partially melt, and it is often separated with other metals during processing and typically recycled, as CANA explains. If recovering a specific crown or filling matters to your family, the best chance is to ask before cremation, in writing, and to be prepared that some facilities simply do not offer return of dental metals as a standard option.
And when the practical questions settle, the next question usually arrives: what now? Whether you choose a full-size urn, share portions in small cremation urns or keepsake urns, wear cremation necklaces, plan water burial, or begin by keeping ashes at home, the goal is the same: to honor a life with clarity, dignity, and care.
