Green Bones After Cremation—What Does It Mean?

Green bones after cremation are believed to be a symbol of good luck, and some religions or cultures even carry small fragments of these bones around with them to attract prosperity. It is also thought that green bones are only found in individuals who were good people during their lifetime and carried no nastiness in their hearts. The Chinese cultures believe that green bones after cremation are the final gift of the deceased to their family and are a welcome sign.

Why Can Bones Be Green After Cremation?

The color of bones after the cremation has a lot to do with the temperature of the cremator. The ideal cremation temperature is 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit and up. As the body approaches scorching temperature, it goes through several changes:

• At around 570 degrees, the organic components of the bone begin to carbonize and turn dusty brown or black.
• As the temperature reaches 1,400 degrees, the bones turn to a darker black.
• Once the heat rises to more than 1,470 degrees, the phosphorus and calcium in the bones change to light gray or white, depending on how long they remain at this temperature.

However, sometimes the bones have a green color to them when they’ve come into contact with copper or bronze that has begun to degrade. Another reason for green bones after the cremation is because of contact with tetracycline or chromium oxide, which are components in antibiotics given during childhood.

Does Ash Color Matter?

You may be wondering, “Does it matter whether my loved one’s cremation ashes are dark or light (or green) in color?” The good news is that the ash color doesn’t actually matter or change anything unless for cultural reasons. It does not affect how the crematorium treated your loved one throughout the cremation process.

Ultimately, the ashes will be concealed by the urn you choose for your loved one, be it a white cremation urn, a gold cremation urn, or an urn in a beautiful blue color. The bone and ash color simply have to do with the temperature of the cremator and the compounds in the bones.

That being said, if you'd like to honor your loved one through their ashes, take a look at our blog on special ideas for scattering ashes.