FNS206 Chapters 4-6

Loading device

(Crematory Accessory) - Assist with safe and appropriate placement of remains in the crematory

Vacuum system

(Crematory Accessory) - for total removal of cremated remains and to help maintain a dust-free work environment

Identification medallions

(Crematory Accessory) - stainless steel object used to identify cremated remains

Zip ties

(Crematory Accessory) - to secure the heavy-duty plastic bags closed once cremated remains and placed in the bags

Temporary containers

(Crematory Accessory) -To house cremated remains prior to placement in a permanent urn

Cooling rack

(Crematory Accessory) -a unit to allow ventilation or air movement around a collection pan to assist with the reduction of heat of cremated remains

Fire extinguisher

(Crematory Accessory) -critical in order to ensure a safe environment in the event of a fire

First aid supplies

(Crematory Accessory) -should include a burn treatment

High density cardboard rollers

(Crematory Accessory) -to aid in the smooth movement of the cremation container into the cremation chamber; these will help to prevent damage to the refractory materials on the floor of the cremation unit

Funnel

(Crematory Accessory) -to assist cremationists with the placement of cremated remains in certain containers

Cremation pan

(Crematory Accessory) -to help contain remains when cremating infant cases. A typical pan is constructed of 12-gauge stainless steel with a diameter of 20 inches and a height of 4 inches

Hand magnet

(Crematory Accessory) -to locate the initiate the removal of any ferrous metal prior to processing

Heavy duty plastic bags

(Crematory Accessory) -to place cremated remains in after processing, these bags should be a minimum of 2 mil. In thickness

Mortar and pestle

(Crematory Accessory) -to process the cremated remains of small cases

Collection pan

(Crematory Accessory) -used to retrieve cremated remains prior to processing

Electronic scale

(Crematory Accessory) -used to weigh the decedent, a crucial element for proper cremation scheduling and prevention of fire hazards

Wire brushes/rakes

(Crematory Accessory) -with appropriate length of shaft to clean the crematory floor

o Heat resistant apron o Heat resistant race protection o Heat and flame resistant gloves o Eye protection o Ear protection o Dust mask/respirator PPE (ex. latex gloves, impermeable gowns, shoe covers and face shields)

List PPE appropriate for handling remains and to operate the crematory

stack

The final discharge point where the products of combustion are released to the environment

for infant cases

Under which circumstance would a machine never be used to pulverize human remains?

corrugated cardboard particleboard wood

What are acceptable materials for cremation containers?

conduct unannounced inspections annually (at a minimum) during normal business hours

What are best practices when it comes to inspections of third party crematory providers?

the remains were forgotten the family believed they had adequately addressed final disposition when cremation was selected at the time of death no survivors exist and prior arrangement for final disposition of the cremains was not made

What are some conceivable reasons that cremated remains may go unclaimed?

certified death certificates burial transit permits funeral home affidavit declaring who is in the shipping container

What are some documents that should be secured prior to shipping cremated remains?

evaluation and review of the funeral home's internal policies and procedures review and evaluation of the crematory's records interviews with crematory personnel at all levels of the organization physical inspection of the crematory site

What are the four steps for practicing due diligence regarding selection and retention of a third party crematory?

a durable, leakproof container that will not be easily compromised the container should totally encase the remains be combustible and rigid contain less than 0.5% chlorinated plastic of total weight

What are the guidelines for an acceptable cremation container?

verify unit is prepared start a purge cycle preheat secondary chamber transport cremation container to staging area - load container into the unit ignite primary burner monitor the cremation process

What are the step-by-step processes used for cremation?

time temperature turbulence

What are the three elements of the cremation process deemed critical for successful combustion?

a primary inner sift-proof container cushioning material an outer shipping package

What are the three requirements for packaging cremated remains?

primary combustion in the ignition chamber and secondary combustion, where the products of the combustion process settle and are further combusted, and ultimately the remaining gasses will discharge from the crematory stack

What are the two phases of the combustion process?

Class VI

What classification of incinerators do crematories fall into?

certifications and licenses (ex. identification of the owner & documentation of all certified personnel) detailed operational records (policies and procedures)

What documents should the crematory records request include?

observe any religious practices or preferences specified by the authorizing agent

What does the NFDA encourage funeral directors do when exercising the disposition of unclaimed cremated remains?

order an additional container to place additional remains - each unit must have a cremation identification label and a mark "1 of 2" - "2 of 2" etc.

What happens if the capacity of the selected urn is unacceptable for the placement of the cremains?

laws that allow funeral professionals the ability to move forward with the final disposition of the remains if the remains have been unclaimed for a certain period of time

What has the reality of unclaimed remains led many states to implement?

Commingling of cremated remains

What is a challenge faced by funeral homes and crematory operators when it comes to cremated remains?

opacity - the degree to which light is reduced when viewed through a smoke plume or visible emissions

What is a term commonly associated with the emissions of a crematory?

it is advisable for families to retain a small portion of the remains that can be interred or kept in a meaningful location to honor and remember the deceased

What is best practice surrounding the scattering of cremated remains that the family should be informed of?

it is critical that a contract between the parties be generated (with the assistance of an attorney) and signed by both parties

What is best practice to do upon verification that a crematory operates within the expectations of the funeral home?

always determine the final disposition of the remains with the family and have the authorizing agent sign the agreement information regarding the funeral home policies and procedures for unclaimed remains can be placed on the authorization to cremate

What is best practice to minimize having unclaimed cremated remains?

to require a permit - including the authorizing agent's signature

What is common practice when it comes to scattering remains?

that the funeral director understands and relate the restrictions that may apply (ex. legal restrictions or local customs)

What is important for a funeral director to consider with scattering of cremated remains being chosen as the final disposition?

once the package leaves the US, the USPS loses control over the package and it becomes difficult to tract

What is one reason that international shipping of cremated remains is discouraged?

it is undeniably the act of locating a place of final rest - to serve, honor and remember the life of the loved one

What is the determination of the location and method of final disposition of cremated remains considered?

internal due diligence (having policies and procedures in the funeral home)

What is the first step of the due diligence process that a funeral home should consider using a third party crematory

add a slip of paper with the sender and recipients address and contact information inside the package in case the shipping label becomes detached

What is the last recommended step suggested by USPS before closing and sealing the outer shipping package for shipping cremated remains?

investigate crematory records interview crematory management physically inspect the crematory

What is the list of items that should be done to investigate third party crematories?

be certain all identification numbers match the medallion or tag number with the cremated remains

What is the method used to check the identity of the remains prior to shipping?

to be knowledgeable and current regarding all laws and regulations

What is the most important thing for funeral directors to know when it comes to the final disposition of cremated remains?

cushioning the inner primary sift-proof container prevents it from shifting inside the outer shipping package during transit (and absorb shock to prevent breakage)

What is the purpose of cushioning material for shipping remains?

48 hours

What is the suggested minimum time period to wait after time of death until cremation?

name of the deceased date and time of death date and time of arrival at the crematory facility the funeral director delivering the remains an inventory of any personal effects delivered with the decedent identity of the authorizing agent a note with final disposition

What minimum information needs to be included as part of the receipt of remains?

Label 139, "cremated remains" affixed to each side of the box

What must the outer shipping box containing cremated remains be marked with?

the amount of recoverable remains may be minimal and potentially there will be no recoverable remains at all by the conclusion of the cremation

What needs to be discussed with the family prior to cremating infants?

remains added to the crematory log assigned a crematory identification number assigned a stainless steel medallion matching the ID number

What needs to be done immediately after a body is formally accepted into the custody of the crematory?

identity of the decease appropriate paperwork is completed without error authorizations and permits are intact remains are encased in an appropriate container

What needs to be done prior to a body being formally accepted into the custody of the crematory?

be certain the law in your service area deems this process acceptable, and always complete a commingling authorization form - with authentic signature from the authorizing agent

What practices should always be done before commingling cremated remains?

the united states postal service (USPS)

What resource should be referenced to find directions for how to ship cremated remains?

a mortar and pestle

What should be used to pulverize infant cremated remains?

a particle size of one eighth inch or less

What size do remains need to be pulverized to in order to scatter?

1400-1800 degrees Fahrenheit

What temperature does the secondary chamber need to be to achieve cremation

pacemakers medical devices radioactive seeds

What type of item that could be with a decedent must be removed prior to cremation?

type 4

What waste classification type do human and animal remains fall into?

secondary burner

Where in the crematory does the successful combustion take place?

the final cremation of the day

Where in the crematory schedule would be best for a cremation with a metal casket?

Obese cases or cases cremated in highly varnished containers

Which cremations should always be the first of the day at the crematory?

they have high BTUs that may damage the cremation unit and pose a fire hazard toxic substances they release when burned

Why are materials such as fiberglass, Styrofoam, plastic and polystyrene not appropriate for cremation?

pollution/opacity monitoring system

a device to detect gases exiting the stack which alerts the operator and the unit when gases contain a level of opacity greater than an acceptable level.

keepsakes

allows for the housing of small portions of cremated remains

secondary chamber

holds unburned combustion from the primary chamber until complete combustion is achieved; allows for proper air flow to the stack - It is important that this chamber run at least 50 degrees hotter than the other chamber for drafting and air flow perfection

control panel/station

houses control equipment to operate the function of the crematory unit

burners

introduce flame by delivering fuel and its combustion air at desired velocities and turbulence

the cremation process

referring to a point in time when a body is received for the cremation, after any visitation and/or memorialization with the body present, remains are received directly by the crematory for the cremation

refractory material

specialized material designed to withstand high temperatures, lines the interior of the crematory

inner primary container

strong, durable, and constructed in such a manner as to protect and securely contain its contents - must be properly sealed and sift-proof

interment (inurnment)

the act or ceremony of burying an urn containing cremated remains

combustion

the act or instance of burning, and involves a chemical reaction in which oxygen is rapidly combined with fuel, giving off heat

charging door

the door to the primary chamber typically electrically or hydraulically operated

hearth

the floor of a crematory

ossuary

the placement of cremated remains in a communal repository

entombment

the placement of remains in a columbarium niche

cremation

the reduction of human remains to bone fragments by extreme heat and direct flame, followed by the pulverizing of these remains to granulated particles suitable for final disposition

perfect combustion

the result of mixing and burning the exact proportions of fuel and oxygen so that no unburned fuel or oxygen remains

solidified remains

transforming remains to stone

primary chamber

where the actual cremation takes place within the retort.

no - it is always suggested that all remains be placed in plastic bags

Is it suggested to place cremated remains directly into a keepsake urn when shipping remains?

thermocouple

A heat-sensing device, typically crematories have two one in each chamber

verify that the proposed area for scattering is not restricted by law or personal private property rights, and no local prohibition exists the family should file with the local registrar of births and deaths in the country the remains are to be scattered, with a verified statement containing the name of the deceased, the time and place of death, the place of scattering

Before scattering remains, what is best practice for the family to do?

no - monitoring is imperative, the operator must be present in case something goes wrong

Can crematory operators start a cremation and leave the unit unattended during the process?

it is possible, but this practice is not advised

Can metal caskets be used to cremate human remains?

perform crematory maintenance as suggested by the manufacturers - a system of basic maintenance that is detailed and routine have a good working relationship with manufacturers

How can crematory operators improve the daily operation of the crematory and extend the overall life span of their machines?

2-3 hours

How long does the average cremation take?

using priority mail express

How must all domestically shipped cremated remains be shipped?

using priority mail express international

How must all international shipments of cremated remains be shipped?

place remains in a strong and durable thick plastic bag (min. 2 mil. thick) seal bag with a zip tie place sealed bag in an appropriate urn/container with a cremation identification label

How must cremated remains be packed for shipping?

the cornerstone of establishing and maintaining a good working relationship with a third party crematory

How should due diligence be viewed when it comes to making relationships with third party crematories?

put the sift-proof container in a sealed plastic bag and attach a label with the complete return address and delivery address on the sealed bag with the words "cremated remains"

In the event that a shipping label becomes detached from the outer container, USPS recommends people do what with the sift-proof container?