When a death happens, families are asked to make decisions quickly—often while they’re still trying to catch their breath. Cremation can be a gentle, practical choice, but it also comes with a few safety steps that most people never hear about until they’re signing paperwork.
One of the most important questions is also one of the most surprising: “Did your loved one have a pacemaker?” The reason is straightforward. Cremation uses controlled high heat, and battery-powered implanted devices can rupture under those conditions. This is why pacemaker removal before cremation is part of standard cremation safety pacemaker protocols at crematories.
Cremation is also increasingly common. The U.S. cremation rate is projected to be 63.4% in 2025, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. The Cremation Association of North America tracks annual trends and projections as well, reflecting how often families now need clear guidance—not only on what to choose, but on the practical rules that keep everyone safe.
Why pacemakers can “explode” in a cremation chamber
Most families picture cremation in broad strokes, but the details matter here. Cremation chambers operate at very high temperatures (often in the 1,400–1,800°F range), according to the Cremation Association of North America. In that environment, sealed batteries and electronics can build pressure and fail violently.
That’s the heart of searches like pacemaker explosion cremation. A peer-reviewed study on the safety and behavior of implantable electronic devices during cremation found that several implantable devices can disintegrate explosively at cremation-level temperatures and that pacemakers and ICDs can create damaging effects. In plain language: removing the device protects crematory staff, helps prevent equipment damage, and reduces the risk of delays that can disrupt a family’s plans.
If you’re reading this while handling arrangements, it may help to know that this isn’t a “special case.” It’s a predictable physical risk—one crematories plan around by requiring device disclosure and removal.
Which implanted devices are a concern
A pacemaker is the most familiar example, but it’s not the only one. Policies vary by crematory, yet they tend to focus on implants that contain batteries, sealed electronics, or pressurized components. If you’re not sure what your loved one had, that’s common—implant cards, hospital discharge notes, and cardiology records can help, and funeral home staff can guide you through what to look for.
Common devices that may require removal include:
- Pacemakers and cardiac resynchronization devices
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)
- Implantable loop recorders
- Neurostimulators and spinal cord stimulators
- Implanted medication pumps
For a broader view of items that can’t go into the chamber, Funeral.com’s guide on what can’t be cremated explains common removals (including certain implants and personal effects) and why they matter.
Pacemakers vs. ICDs: what to know about deactivation
ICDs (implantable defibrillators) can deliver shocks. That distinction matters most before death, because shocks can be painful when someone is in comfort-focused care. The Heart Rhythm Society provides expert guidance on managing implanted cardiac devices near the end of life, including when deactivation aligns with a patient’s goals and consent.
If you suspect an ICD is present and your loved one is in hospice, it’s reasonable to ask the medical team whether the shock function should be turned off for comfort (and whether that has already been addressed). For cremation, however, the key point is simpler: whether or not an ICD was deactivated, the physical device still must be removed to prevent rupture in the cremation chamber. That’s why families search ICD removal cremation and implantable defibrillator cremation when they want to be sure everything is handled safely.
Who removes the device, and what families should expect
Device removal is typically coordinated by the funeral home and handled respectfully as part of preparation for cremation. Depending on where death occurred and local practice, removal may be done by a trained funeral professional, a pathologist, or a clinician. You usually won’t be asked to arrange this step yourself.
Manufacturers acknowledge this as standard practice. In a consumer FAQ, Medtronic notes that in most cases heart devices are removed before cremation (often by a mortician or pathologist), while some leadless pacemakers may be left in place. If you’re planning a viewing, the incision is typically small and covered by clothing, and it usually does not interfere with a dignified presentation.
If you want a step-by-step picture of the overall timeline, Funeral.com’s guide on how a body is prepared for cremation can help you understand where device removal fits and what happens next.
Donation or recycling after removal
After removal, families sometimes ask whether they can donate pacemaker after death or recycle pacemaker components responsibly. Options vary by location and program, but it’s a reasonable request—many devices still have remaining battery life. You may be asked to sign consent so the funeral home can release the device to a recycler or donation program.
One widely cited effort is Project My Heart Your Heart. The University of Michigan’s The University Record explains how, after families consent, donated devices can be sent by the funeral home for assessment and potential reuse through programs serving patients in low-resource settings. World Medical Relief outlines a related pathway and describes how donated devices are collected and processed.
When donation isn’t possible, recycling may still be. The CANA Model Cremation Law reflects the industry’s safety expectation that pacemakers and similar devices be removed before cremation and handled safely afterward (including sanitizing before any return or recycling). If recycling matters to your family, ask your funeral director what their standard process is, whether they work with a specific recycler, and whether they can help you connect with a donation program.
The questions that prevent stress later
You don’t need perfect wording. These questions usually give families the clarity they’re looking for:
- Will you confirm the device was removed before cremation?
- If an ICD is present, do you coordinate deactivation discussions with the medical team when appropriate?
- What happens to the device after removal: donation, recycling, or disposal?
- Will this affect viewing, timing, or paperwork?
If you’re feeling unsure, remember that “I don’t know” is a valid answer to implant questions. Your funeral home can help you confirm what’s needed without adding pressure to an already hard week.
After cremation: urns, jewelry, and what comes next
Once the safety steps are complete, families return to the decisions that feel most personal—where the ashes will be and what will bring comfort. Funeral.com’s guide on what to do with ashes compares common paths like scattering, burial, and keeping ashes at home.
If you’re choosing a primary urn, start with cremation urns for ashes. If you plan to share a small portion with relatives, small cremation urns and keepsake urns can make sharing simpler and less emotionally charged, especially when family members live in different places.
For some families, cremation jewelry—including cremation necklaces—offers a discreet way to keep a tiny portion close. And if your ceremony involves a shoreline goodbye, Funeral.com’s guide to water burial explains how biodegradable water urns work and what to expect during a sea or lake ceremony.
Families make similar choices after pet loss, too. If you’re memorializing an animal companion, pet urns for ashes can help you compare sizes and materials, while pet cremation urns in figurine styles can feel more like a home memorial than a container. For sharing among family members, pet urns in keepsake sizes are often the easiest way to distribute a small portion. If you prefer a wearable memorial for a pet, pet cremation jewelry is another option families consider.
If you’re making decisions on a budget and asking how much does cremation cost, Funeral.com’s guide on cremation costs breaks down typical price ranges and what changes the total. For many families, knowing the range ahead of time makes it easier to choose a memorial option that feels both meaningful and realistic.
A final word
Hearing “the pacemaker must be removed” can feel clinical. But it’s a practical form of care—protecting the professionals doing the work and protecting your family’s timeline from preventable delays. If you want the device donated or recycled, you can ask. If you simply want reassurance that everything is handled safely, you can ask that, too. Either way, this kind of clarity is part of good funeral planning, and you deserve answers that feel steady.
