Cremation Exam
If a funeral home does not require ID, who is liable?
funeral home
What does "Cool Cremation" mean?
first cremation of the day (retort is cold, just warming up)
Why is it important to remove pacemakers prior to cremation?
made with lithium battery which will explode and could cause damage to retort
What term is a method of final disposition whereby cremated remains are placed into a shallow trench or groove in sand or soil and then covered or raked into the earth?
trenching
Method of throwing cremains into wind?
casting
How much do cremated remains weigh on average?
4-8 pounds
???
Identification
Most crematory containers are made of?
fiber board crestwood cardboard
In Tennessee, how many siblings need to authorize cremation?
*All siblings (*prior to Tracy discussing updated laws?)
What must a funeral home consider in shipping cremated remains by air? (3 answers)
1) FH is responsible to contact each airline to find out if there are any specific regulations in force 2) Most airlines require that someone must be present for pickup at the state or county of destination. Certain countries require a funeral home representative to pick up cremains, NOT the family of the deceased 3) All documentation must accompany urn at all times
Name two types of common liability claims (6 possible answers)
1) Failure to perform the cremation 2) The wrong body is cremated 3) Loss of cremated remains or commingling of cremated remains 4) Jewelry or personal effects not removed as authorized and destroyed, or stolen 5) Recycling or sale of precious metal such as gold fillings by the crematory after the cremation when against family's wishes and when prohibited by state statute 6) Failure to provide the cremation urn contracted and paid for
What are the four main bullet points on disposition of unclaimed cremated remains?
1) Most states have laws relieving FHs and crematories from having to store unclaimed remains indefinitely. Vary in length from 30 days to 4 years 2) If authorizing agen agrees to take possession but doesn't within specified amount of time or date, some states require a written notice to last known address of authorizing agen 3) Laws may allow a crematory to dispose of unclaimed cremains in any legal manner after specified number of days following delivery of notification. FD should observe any religious practices or preferences specified by authorizing agen 4) State rules about final disposition of unclaimed cremains vary, some allow burial, crypt, niche, columbarium, or scattering. Certain states allow placement on private property with consenting owner. Depends on state
Name five common areas of liability in operating a crematory (15 possible answers)
1) bypassing faulty equipment (instead of replace/repair) 2) cremating or releasing cremains w/o following changes made to original authorization 3) cremating personal items 4) failing to keep work areas clean and free of debris 5) improper loading of crematory unit 6) improper packaging of urn for shipment 7) improper placement of the retort in a facility 8) improperly trained or untrained operators running equipment 9) improperly trained or untrained personnel attempting to maintain equipment on their own 10) improperly trained or untrained personnel failing to adhere to state DEP provisions in their permits 11) inadequate clearances according to manufacturer specifications and recommendations per device, this includes stack penetration through the roof of the facility and any combustible materials surrounding the stack 12) knowingly cremating a decedent with a pacemaker 13) operating a crematory unit without proper safety gear 14) running a crematory unit with gas or hydraulic leaks 15) storing combustible materials in or around the crematory unit
What must an individual do in order to carry cremated remains on a flight by hand? (2 answers)
1) first, contact each airline to find out the specific regulations in force 2) required paperwork must accompany the pacakage at all times through the inspection process.
How long is average cremation time?
2-4 Hours for whole process (per Tracy) (book says 1-3 hours for incineration)
What is the size of average cremated remains?
200 cubic inches
At what temperature does a crematory run at?
1400-1800 degrees
What is the major component of the human body?
62% water*
How often should equipment be inspected by field technicians?
At least annually
What documents are required when shipping cremains?
Certified copy of death certificate Burial transit permit Letter on FH's letterhead stating that only the cremated remains of the identified individual are in the contain being shipped
What incinerator classification is a retort?
Class 6
Name forms that you need for cremation
Cremation Authorization Form Receipt of Cremated Remains Itemized Statement of Services and Merchandise Selected (contract) Request to Commingle Cremated Remains Authorization Written Authorized Disposition of Unclaimed Cremated Remains (42 states)
Which type of mail service does USPS require cremains to be shipped by?
DOMESTIC: Priority Mail Express + Highly recommend using a Label 139 (recommended to choose signature upon delivery) INTERNATIONAL: Priority Mail Express International service OR First-Class Package International Service using Registered Mail service (NOTE: 4lb. limit for registered mail)
What is needed for combustion?
Fuel Heat Oxygen
Who prepares body for cremation?
Funeral Director (or Cremator Operator?)
True or False, Will TSA allow any lead lined urns?
No, TSA will NOT ship any container/urn that is lead lined since all packages must be x-rayed
Can a funeral director ship cremains with FedEx?
No USPS + Label 139
Do airlines allow cremains to be in checked luggage?
Most airlines do NOT allow for cremated remains to be contained in checked luggage, they can only be hand carried aboard the plane
What religions do not cremate?
Muslims Eastern & Oriental Orthodox Churches Conservative and Orthodox Jewish Churches (Mormons discourage but do not forbid)
Can a funeral director return cremains to anyone?
No
What form does family when receiving cremains?
Receipt of cremated remains
Who can authorize a cremation?
State statutes determine who can authorize and in what order of hierarchy
Why are lithium ions important?
They combust and can damage retort
What are the three T's involved in cremation?
Time Temperature Turbulence
True or False, Does EPA have to approve scattering at sea?
True
True or False, Is it legal in some states to comingle?
True
True or False, Is the cremation permit required when traveling with cremains?
True, permit must be with cremains at ALL times while transporting (ie car, plane, etc)
What waste classification is cremation waste?
Type 4 waste
Who decides cremation?
Usually the deceased decides ahead of time and family knows that is their wishes
Can you inspect a 3rd party retort anytime you want?
Yes
What metal may set off alarm of cremator?
Zinc
What sort of case needs to be the first cremation of the day?
a "large case" (obese)
If a funeral home offers direct cremation, what else do they have to offer?
alternative container
What term is a device that changes the direction of flow of the products of combustion?
baffle
What term is used for the hydraulically controlled moving door that opens/closes the opening into which the case is inserted?
charge door (loading door, charging door)
What term is a building, structure or part of a building/structure that is affixed to land and is a permanent repository for cremated remains?
columbarium
Where do you disclose what implants decedent has?
cremation authorization form
What is the name of the person running a crematory?
crematory operator
Who places cremains in urn
crematory operator or funeral director
What casket should be cremated first
high polish or high gloss
What term is a compartment or cubicle for the memorialization or permanent placement of an urn containing cremated remains?
niche
Can you co-mingle cremains?
no (but yes in some states that do allow)
What term is a receptacle used for the communal placement of cremated remains, without using an urn or other container in which cremated remains are commingled with other cremated remains?
ossuary
What is the best way to identify a body
physically viewing
What are the attributing causes to the rise in US cremations? (5 possible textbook reasons)
price - #1 environment concerns weakening religious opposition/restrictions rapidly changing consumer preferences about funerals flexibility in scheduling funerals
What term is used for the heating device as part of an incinerator that produces a low-flame burner installed in the primary combustion chamber to dry out and ignite the material (case) to be burned?
primary burner (ignition burner)
What term is final disposition method whereby cremated remains are poured onto loose soil then raked into the earth (method used in most crematory scattering gardens)?
raking
What term is used for the heating device as part of an incinerator that produces a high-flame burner installed in the secondary combustion chamber to maintain a minimum temperature of specified degrees F. Designed to provide excess air and heat for the complete combustion of the gases in the primary chamber to control particulate emissions and opacity of emissions?
secondary burner (afterburner)
What term is used for the minimum, exact amount of air required for complete combustion without excess air; also called theoretical air?
stoichiometric air
What term is a receptacle for cremated remains usually made of cardboard, plastic or similar materials designed to hold the cremated remains until an urn or other permanent container is obtained?
temporary container
What are the cremains placed in after cremation?
temporary urn
