Cremation chapter 4

Ossuary

Placement of cremated remains in a communal repository

THINGS TO KNOW

• 10 Step Identification Process • Alternative Container , Corrugated Container , Cremation Casket , Temporary Container , Ceremonial Casket • Indemnification • General Price List 6 Disclosures • Required Itemized Prices on the GPL ( 16 ) • Direct Cremation , not Cremation without a viewing If your funeral home offers direct cremation , you must offer at least 1 alternative container ( FTC Rule ) • Burial reform in your book is Cremation , not hospitality , not saving money • What brought this about ? Sanitation , not funeral cost • Early crematories had priests and chapels • How are cremains tracked ? Nothing is adhered to the body , it's a metal disc that accompanies the body throughout the cremation process • Federal Agency that protects employees - OSHA Goal of FTC - Protect Consumers • Minimal Prep - No embalming / No chemicals , No cutting , does include aspiration , cosmetics , and cleaning

Niche

A recess or space used for the permanent placement of cremated remains

Columbarium

A structure , room , or space containing niches or recesses used to hold cremated remains

Commingling

Combining the cremated remains of more than one person during cremation or after the cremation process

General Shipping Instructions

Cremated remains are permitted to be mailed domestically , but must be prepared as follows : • Packaging- Inner sift proof container , cushing material , and outer shipping package • Inner primary container- Sealed and sift proof , durable • Cushing material- All around the urn container • Outer shipping container- shipping package , USPS Priority Mail Express • Labeling and markings - Label 139 all sides of the container - Address the address with the complete return address and delivery address - International shipping may require certain forms , check with the countries consulate or embassy - Always get a signature upon delivery - The United States Postal Service is the only authorized shipper of cremated remains . Some countries require different documents for cremated remains to enter the country : 1. Burial - Transit Permit 2. Certified Death Certificate 3. Funeral Home Affidavit that states only cremated remains are in the container * These are just some of the forms that could be required * When packages leave the United States , the USPS loses control over the package and it's difficult to track . • Transportation Security Administration ( TSA ) • Cremated remains can fly in checked baggage or be carried on • Carry on luggage must be x - rayed • Urn must be able to be x - rayed : wooden , cardboard , plastic • If the family wants a metal urn they can check it in baggage and carry the urn in a temporary container on the plane • An urn that can't be x - rayed could be confiscated or the family will have to reschedule travel plans • Cremated remains can also fly cargo with a funeral home representative to receive in air cargo

Options for Final Disposition of Cremated Remains

• All final decisions from the authorizing agent should be signed and all federal , state , and local laws should • There are many forms of dispositions that have been utilized in recent years : • Scattering or Casting ( land , air , water ) - Explain to family what's expected consistency of the ashes , and the medallion • Interment • Inurnment • Entombment • Ossuary • Raking • Trenching • Sending into space - 1-7 grams are allowed • Underwater Reef - Developed into a reef and submerged to the ocean floor • Solidified Remains - Solidifying cremated remains into stone • Memorialized in Art - Combining cremated remains with paint , glass , or other media • Made into Jewelry - Intense heat and pressure to the point component carbon is turned into a diamond • Keepsakes - Mini versions of the urn , jewelry , etc. • Return to family - Create a special place at home Disposal of unclaimed - options for disposal

Scattering at Sea

• Must be 3 nautical miles from land before scattering ashes • Within 30 days registration of the disposition must be filed with the Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Region by the operator of the vessel which carried the remains to the place of disposition • Scattering at sea is regulated by the EPA • Only use readily decomposable material in the water

Complexities Surrounding Final Disposition of Cremated Remains

• Receive authorization from the Authorizing Agent for the final disposition of the ashes • These instructions are usually part of the Cremation Authorization Form • States may require permits stay with the container of ashes . Burial - Transit Permits will need to accompany the ashes to every location . • Funeral establishments cannot comingle created remains unless they have the authorization from the Comingling of cremated remains is a challenge faced by funeral homes and crematories • Commingling cremated remains can happen either during cremation or after the cremation process • Commingling can be placing more than one loved one in a special urn , an ossuary , or scattering can be utilized • Commingling should never take place unless authorized by law , all regulations are followed , and express authorization from next of kin or authorizing agent has been received

Scattering

• Scattering can be at the loved one's special place , just make sure there are no legal restrictions • Scattering laws can vary from state to state • Scattering may require a permit • Make sure the family has an appropriate urn for scattering • Scattering is allowed on uninhabitable land , any public waterways , and private property

Disposition of Unclaimed Cremated Remains

• Some families think there is nothing left to be done after the cremation • Some families may not be ready for the finality of it • There might be no surviving relatives left There could be confusion over final disposition • Always determine final disposition in the arrangement • Every funeral home should have clear policies when dealing with unclaimed cremated remains • Expectation that funeral homes should hold ashes indefinitely • Laws vary between states , but holding cremated remains can vary from 30 days to 4 years • Funeral directors should observe all religious practices / preferences specified by the authoring agent when exercising the disposition of ashes • Unclaimed cremated remains can be disposed of in any manner permitted by law • Unclaimed remains of Veterans may be release the remains to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of a Veteran's Service Organization • Know the Laws in your state • In Texas , funeral homes must hold the remains for at least 121 days . Unclaimed ashes are generally scattered . The funeral home must get approval for the scattering just like the family would . Some funeral homes may bury the remains .

Shipping Cremated Remains

• The United States Postal Service ( USPS ) is the only authorized agency to ship cremated remains with Priority Mail Express • Priority Mail Express International is used for International shipments • USPS suggested procedures : • Place in strong durable bag minimum 2 mil . thickness • Sealed with zip ties • Appropriate container / urn with identification label • Check all identification numbers to match medallion • Multiple containers all need identification Lock in secure area