I understand that some cremators may be unsuitable for cardboard coffins or that this may depend on the temperature. If the temperature is very high, spontaneous combustion may cause a flash-back of flames, like a small explosion, and place the staff at risk.
In view of the above, I went to look at a cremator and watched it being loaded (or 'charged' to use the jargon). I was stunned to see that the bier was only placed about a quarter of the way into the 'oven' and the coffin was then catapulted to fly over a brick placed on the 'oven' floor.
This is a bit like watching experiments of cars with dummies or models crashing into concrete walls. I was therefore advised that if I make a coffin out of hardboard, etc (which I am about to do) it must withstand the impact. If it doesn't the body would break out and could end up in an awkward position for effective and/or efficient cremation.
So much for the dignified image of cremation! The parallel with burial would be to hold a coffin at waist height and let go of it so it crashed to the bottom of the grave! I'm sure it is not beyond the wit of technologists to find a dignified way of placing bodies, with or without coffins, into cremators.
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