CREMATION OPTIONS

Recent events in Idaho and an increased number of inquires by funeral service professionals on NFDA’s OSHA support line justify a refocus on Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and the proper precautions an embalmer should take when facing a confirmed CJD case in order to minimize potential transmission of the disease and remain in compliance with OSHA laws, standards and regulations. CJD infectivity is found in high concentration in the brain, spinal cord and the eye itself. It also is found to a much lesser degree, in cerebral spinal fluid, and possibly in blood. The disease apparently does not cross barriers of intact skin or adjacent mucus membranes, but transmission is possible through a penetrating injury. CJD is always fatal and based on current scientific data is still considered untreatable. The primary hazard in embalming and preparation is that CJD has a high resistance to customary means of decontamination, such as boiling, irradiation and the use of chemicals, such as alcohol, phenols and formaldehyde. In their place the use of steam under pressure for instruments (autoclaving) incineration and chemical exposure to sodium hydroxide or bleach for an extended period has been recommended. OSHA still does not provide a separate funeral specific standard for hazardous exposure to CJD and instead relies upon its existing Bloodborne Pathogen disinfection recommendations for CJD are not directly referenced in this standard, however leaving the question open as to what steps a funeral director should follow in the removal, handling and embalming process in order to remain in compliance with the standard and moreover to safely handle a confirmed CJD case, given its undisputed resistance to disinfection.

CJD & OSHA

The funeral and cremation service professionals must be aware that OSHA considers CJD a known hazard in the health-care profession and in funeral service. Therefore this fact clearly requires employers to take all additional steps necessary-beyond those required by a specific OSHA standard -to protect employees against exposure to CJD. In general the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard requires universal precautions, meaning that all human blood and certain body fluids must be treated as if they are known to be infectious for HIV, hepatitis B and other Bloodborne pathogens. Per an OSHA inspection Directive this includes CJD. In addition employers must implement engineering controls that isolate or remove the Bloodborne pathogen hazard from the workplace and initiate work-practice controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure to the Bloodborne pathogen by altering the manner in which employees perform a task. When an occupational exposure to a Bloodborne pathogen exists, employers must provide-at no cost to the employee-appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields or masks, and eye protection. Each of these items will only be considered appropriate if the device does not permit blood or other potentially infectious materials to pass through or reach the employee’s work clothes, street clothes, undergarments, skin, eyes, mouth or other mucus membranes under normal conditions of use and for the duration of time that the personal protective equipment will be used. Requirements also exist for disposable equipment, housekeeping, an exposure control plan, training and the labeling of biohazards.

Protection against CJD requires additional protection and procedures specific and unique to this disease. Because of its unusually high risk, mortality rate and resistance to normal disinfection procedures, these CJD specific procedures, workplace controls and engineering controls must appear in the employer’s Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan, and specific training must be given and documented in their appropriate use. If using sodium hydroxide as a disinfectant as some have recommended for a CJD case, funeral professionals must be aware that sodium hydroxide is a regulated air contaminant under Table Z-1 of the OSHA Air Contaminant Standard, 1910.1000. According to the table an employee’s exposure to sodium hydroxide is limited to two milligrams per cubic meter, during an eight hour time-weighted average. If using sodium hydroxide as a CJD disinfectant funeral service employers must ensure that an employee’s exposure to this substance does not exceed this time-weighted average during any eight hour shift of a 40 hour work week. To achieve compliance with this requirement if using sodium hydroxide, employers must conduct air sampling to determine if an overexposure hazard exists and if so implement administrative or engineering controls to reduce exposure to within the stated limit. When such controls prove infeasible, employers must provide personal protective equipment, such as respirators. In addition if a respirator is required because of the potential overexposure to a disinfecting chemical, such as sodium hydroxide, the respirator must be provided and used in a manner consistent with the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard, 1910.134.

This not only requires providing an appropriate respirator as protection against a specific chemical exposure, but also requires a Respiratory Protection Program, fit-testing of the respirator, a medical determination regarding the employee’s ability to use a respirator, an inspection and maintenance program for the respirators, and employee training regarding their safe use and maintenance, along with other stated requirements. Many writers and organizations such as the World Health Organization do not encourage embalming autopsied remains of remains with traumatic injuries. Others have claimed however that embalming can be performed using disposable masks, gowns and gloves; placing the body on an impermeable sheet to contain leakage; arranging drain sites to limit surface contamination; collecting body fluids in a stainless steel container; closing incisions with glue and wiping down the body with bleach; an decontamination the container of body fluids using sodium hydroxide while avoiding spillage and the heat the fluid will generate. There are also specific requirements for the amount of time that mortuary waste must be kept in the container, requirements for the disposal of sheets and disposable items via incineration and flooding contaminated surfaces with sodium hydroxide or bleach. The latter again might create a chemical hazard and require CJD specific disinfection instructions. If following these procedures pay rigorous attention to the containment of potentially infectious materials including the prevention of penetration injuries by possibly contaminated instruments, and the avoidance of splashing of blood or spinal fluid onto the skin, lips or eyes. Significantly such cuts must be treated like a venomous bite, which would include bleeding the cut, chemical disinfection and washing with large amounts of water.

CJD & WORKERS COMP

A second issue concerning CJD concerns its potential workers compensation impact should exposure occur while embalming a CJD case. Workers compensation statues are creatures of state law, with each state enacting and enforcing its own version of workers compensation. In general however for an employee to recover for an injury or illness, the employee would have to show that the condition occurred, arose out of or had a relationship to employment. Given the relatively long time that it takes for CJD to develop after an initial period (which could be up to 25 years), it would be difficult to establish a casual relationship when the disease surfaces. In practical terms this means that a workers’ compensation insurance carrier might deny coverage and the exposed employee would face the dilemma of proving a work relationship and jobsite work exposure for CJD even I the diagnosis of CJD is not in dispute. This is especially problematic since a number of CJD cases apparently have been and continue to be, inadequately documented or mischaracterized, even though CJD is considered an emerging infectious disease. IF preparation is to be performed on a confirmed CJD case a funeral home owner should consider providing increased health and life insurance coverage for the embalming staff and verify that any existing insurance policies do not contain exclusionary language that might limit or prevent a claim for CJD being brought. In some cases this might require additional coverage or adding a rider to an existing policy.

PARTING THOUGHT

It is clear that when facing a confirmed CJD case in which the remains are not intact, due to either autopsy or physical trauma, direct cremation or direct burial is still the safest procedure. If the remains before cremation or direct burial are placed in a sealed casket a memorial service can also be held without hazard. If embalming a CJD case in which the remains are intact and were not autopsied, the presence of CJD still requires scrupulous compliance with applicable safety and health regulations, even though the hazard to the embalmer is greatly reduced. Unless a funeral service practitioner is trained to handle the specific requirements needed for CJD case and is fully committed to scrupulously complying with these requirements the preparation of a CJD case should not be attempted.

Remember, Cremation Options is here to help you all day, every day with your funeral and cremation needs. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact us, simply call 1-877-989-9090. At any time of day or night, you will be able to speak with one of our trained, sympathetic and understanding representatives.

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It is indeed a good time for funeral directors to follow NFDA’s Environmental Best Practices because funeral homes no longer fly under the “environmental radar,” any firm that fails to follow these best practices risks sanction and increased expense. Thus it is critically important for funeral directors and cremation services to observe and implement them in their firm’s day-to-day operations. This article will alert you to the dangers that can result from ignoring NFDA’s nvironmental Best Practices.

NFDA’S ENVIRONMENTAL BEST PRACTICES

If you are not already familiar with NFDA’s Environmental Best Practices we want you to be. The best practices appeared in conjunction with the initial publication of NFDA’s “funeral home Wastertream Audit” in 1995 and NFDA has been fine tuning them ever since as we conduct studies and gain more information about the environmental issues funeral directors face. NFDA’s Best Practices have served as the model for state funeral service associations such as New Jersey and New York and regulators are now aware of the best practices as they find them prominently displayed in the “Environmental Protection Agency.” In fact we know of several instances when regulators visited funeral homes and brought with them their own copies of NFDA’s Best Practices. The best practices remind us that funeral directors are trained to protect the health and safety of the public, the environment in the community in which they live and their employees, families and themselves. The best practices are designed to help funeral directors meet the high standards of the funeral profession, and enable funeral directors to be the good environmental citizens that we say they are in front of congress and regulatory bodies. NFDA’s Best Practices are just that-practices that NFDA recommends our members follow-and provide guidance in five key areas of funeral home operation:

1.COMPLIANCE

A central tenet of NFDA’s Environmental Best Practices is to be aware of and follow the environmental laws that apply to funeral homes although the rules that any funeral director must observe vary somewhat from place to place. Each of the three levels of government-federal, state and local might have separate and somewhat different rules and funeral homes, like all businesses are subject to all three sets. It is each funeral director’s obligation to find out what rules apply to their funeral home and to observe them.

2. PRODUCT SELECTION’

A funeral home is regulated environmentally primarily because of the products that it uses and the way in which it deals with the waste produced. Therefore a funeral director should make wise choices about product selection, understanding not only how the product performs but also what is in the product and how various product components affect handling and disposal options and requirements. Product selection means that products should be reevaluated periodically and environmentally friendly products substituted when they become available.

3. WASTEWATER HANDLING

Funeral homes generate wastewater that might be discharged into a community treatment works or to an onsite wastewater system. Sometimes hauling wastewater offsite is required and this imposes special requirements and cautions. No matter what method of wastewater handling your funeral home uses, make sure that the system employed is properly sized, properly operating, regularly maintained and meets regulatory requirements. This includes pumping you funeral home’s septic tank no less than every three years.

4. WASTE HANDLING

Funeral homes produce a variety of wastes, including hazardous waste, medical waste, and solid waste and each type is subject to different storage and disposal requirements. Wastes of different types should never be commingled! Commingling is illegal under some laws and commingling violations subject the least toxic waste to the most onerous and most expensive requirements applicable to the most toxic waste. Therefore it is not only good practice but also incumbent that every funeral director be able to recognize the kind of waste his or her funeral home produces and to ensure that the waste is disposed of properly. This means staying informed about waste-disposal considerations, using licensed and reputable disposal firms and documenting that waste was taken to a facility-itself free of violations and in compliance-that is appropriate in keeping with the nature of the waste.

5. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN INGREDIENTS

Certain products historically have contained compounds such as chlorinated solvents that present a heightened risk during disposal. Such ingredients deserve special attention and it is important that products containing these ingredients should be used typically (if at all) and disposed of with special care. Being familiar with the following NFDA’s Environmental Best Practices sends an important signal that a funeral director and his or her firm take seriously their responsibilities to the community the environment and those that visit the funeral home. If regulators now know about these best practices surely a funeral director cannot say that he or she is familiar with and follows them yet raise serious questions about his or her commitment to compliance and environmental protection. Ignoring these best practices can imperil your funeral home’s livelihood and the image it presents to regulators, the public and the families it serves.

BEWARE: YOU FACE GREATER SCRUTINY

Today states and local regulators are more actively examining funeral homes and funeral home wastewater than ever before because the focus has shifted away from Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversight and even away from oversight by the 10 individual U.S. EPA regional offices, to the communities where funeral directors live and work. This shift is due to a number of factors. First the Bush administration has caused the federal EPA to impose more on states and make them take on more environmental responsibility because of a federal budget shortfall affecting the federal EPA. Several years ago U.S. EPA region 2 in New York made funeral homes a special priority and communicated its approach widely to states throughout the country. (Regulators from different parts of the country meet throughout the
year and share stories and exchange information and funeral homes were subject to some of these discussions.) Second medical waste issues have gained heightened attention. While medical waste is generally regulated by states which have enacted their own laws its storage and transportation are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Some states are considering changes to their medical waste rules in an effort to bring funeral homes within their domain. Third wastewater is inherently a local issue and tied to how much money a community has to spend on wastewater treatment and facility improvement. State and local regulators however facing their own budget reductions have increased their efforts to restrict and control discharges to groundwater in an effort to protect precious groundwater resources.

The consequence of these several factors is a shift in regulatory attention to the local area, and a corollary increase in the attention given to funeral homes. Not unexpectedly a funeral home now faces far greater scrutiny due to this smaller, local, community focus than the prior national oversight. Several recent examples from various parts of the country make this clear. For instance a municipal official in a small town in Georgia prohibited a funeral home from discharged wastewater into the town’s sewers even though the funeral home had discharged wastewater without incident for the prior 50 years. The town claimed that the content of the funeral home’s wastewater caused the town to violate its own wastewater discharge permit. This town lacked necessary funds to update and expand its treatment works, however and in the face of increased wastewater volume from the local hospital and substantial residential growth decided to prohibit the funeral home’s discharge even though the town lacked documentation that the firm caused the wastewater problems it faced! NFDA assisted this funeral home in warding off the town’s unjustified claims by helping the community recognize that this firm was a good environmental citizen and that there was no reason to restrict the funeral home’s wastewater discharge. Another example involves local regulators that refused to allow funeral homes to discharge embalming wastewater to a septic system in parts of Arkansas, New York and West Virginia. In each situation each state’s regulatory policies resulted from a lack of funding to construct the needed wastewater treatment works and regulator concern about protecting groundwater resources. In every case funeral directors were required to become familiar with waste-handling requirements and to devise alternative waste-disposal strategies to deal with these situations. One final example involves a West Virginia funeral director and NFDA’s recent efforts to help him obtain a permit for the discharge of sanitary wastewater created by his new funeral home. The permit application required the submission of 18 pages of detailed, technical information! Following the permit review, West Virginia published the draft permit in a local newspaper requesting public comment on its terms and issuance. The funeral director conducted himself admirably under the most difficult of situations causing the West Virginia regulator to recognize the funeral director as a good environmental citizen. The terms of the permit which are standard for all industrial discharges in West Virginia are far more onerous than any other permit we have examined to date.

Remember, Cremation Options here to help you all day, every day with your funeral and cremation needs. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact us, simply call 1-877-989-9090. At any time of day or night, you will be able to speak with one of our trained, sympathetic and understanding representatives.

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Shipping human and cremated remains has always been fairly straightforward. Funeral directors have relied on the United States Postal Service’s registered mail to move cremated remains and the commercial airlines to handle human remains. But are these the only options available to the industry? While these methods are certainly the most cost effective they are not always the most convenient or compassionate. Situations have occurred when the traditional shipping methods have not been fast enough or offered enough privacy or compassion. This article explores other possibilities for shipping both cremated and human remains when the traditional methods will not work. The methods discussed are not offered as ways to save money but to be another resource available to the funeral director when the situations above occur.

SHIPPING CREMATED REMAINS

As the number of cremations continues to steadily increase so does the need to ship cremated remains. It is important to know the rules of shipping cremated remains as well as your viable options. Funeral directors, crematories and scattering services often provide incorrect information to family members when it comes to shipping cremated remains, putting themselves and the family at risk. In addition most funeral directors are not always aware of other available options and therefore miss an opportunity to serve the family’s need for speed or compassion. When we need to ship a regular package, especially with speed, we have several air express delivery companies at our disposal. Brown, red or yellow they all have the ability to move packages fast.

While this holds true for shipping a box of Christmas presents to your relatives in California, this is not the case for cremated remains. Every major air express company strictly prohibits human remains from being shipped on their network, including cremated remains. By reviewing the company’s terms and conditions you will quickly discover a list of prohibited items. You will also discover a clause that states, “Failure to comply with any of the terms and conditions will result in a denial of loss or damage claim.” While most express package companies do a fantastic job of delivering boxes and small envelopes, loss and damage does occur. Their systems are not designed for packages that are irreplaceable, hence their unwillingness to accept cremated remains. Explaining to a family that their loved one’s remains have been lost or damaged is every funeral director’s nightmare. If you are currently using one of the major air express carriers to ship cremated remains, cease immediately! You are putting you and your firm at serious risk of a lawsuit, publicity nightmare and at worse, a tarnished image in the community. IF you continue to use this option and a loss or damage or loss occurs, you have no action of recourse. Make it clear; shipping cremated remains through the traditional air express companies is not an option! A vast majority of cremated remains are shipped via the United States Postal Service (USPS) registered mail.

Cremated remains cannot be sent by overnight express mail, regular mail or certified mail. USPS Publication 52 section 462.2 states, “Human ashes are permitted to be mailed provided they are packaged as required in 463b. The identity of the contents should be marked on the address side. Mail pieces must be sent registered mail with return receipt service.” Section 463B discusses how the remains should be packed; “Dry materials that could cause damage, discomfort, destruction or soiling upon escape (i.e. leakeage) must be packed in sift proof containers or other containers that are sealed in durable sift proof outer containers.” While this method is both reliable and economical, it is not very fast nor compassionate or convenient. Funeral directors must take time out of their busy schedule to drive to the post office, stand in line to complete the necessary paperwork, and keep their fingers crossed the package doesn’t make a wrong turn in Iowa. Family members sometimes dislike the lack of compassion
associated with the postal service and are often embarrassed when they have to go to the post office to recover a box labeled “Human Remains.” While it is a very practical method of moving cremated remains, it is somewhat limited by its speed, convenience and compassion. It’s not always the best option for the shipper of the receiver. Another option available to cremated remains shippers is the commercial airlines. This can be either in the passenger cabin or the cargo hold area. If a passenger with a paid far wishes to bring the cremated remains onboard the aircraft, it is critical that the remains are packed in a box that can be easily x- rayed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

If the container is constructed from a material that prevents the security screener from being able to identify the contents, the package will not be permitted past the security checkpoint. Even if the family is willing to allow further inspection by opening the package, the security screener will not comply and the package and the passenger will be denied entry. If the package is denied the passenger may check the remains onboard as cargo and the package will be placed in the cargo hold area of the aircraft. It is critical that the contents are appropriately packed to handle the cargo loading and unloading process. If the remains are packed as if they would be placed in the overhead bin but end up being denied access and have to go as cargo, it is advisable to find another way to transport. If remains need to be shipped with extreme speed and there is no family member available to accompany the remains on the aircraft, funeral directors can still utilize not only commercial airlines, but other time-critical airlines as well. Companies such as AirNet Express or Columbus, Ohio specialize in shipping sensitive materials and offer door-to-door pick-up and delivery of cremated remains. By combining their exclusive fleet of over 140 airplanes with all major commercial airlines they are able to move the remains in less than 14 hours, door-to-door 24/7/365. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations mandate that companies such as AirNet conduct a physical site inspection at your place of business before allowing you to ship on commercial aircraft if you are not already a known shipper. While this site audit is not required to ship on AirNet’s aircraft it is recommended that one be performed if your firm is not already a known shipper with the TSA. While this service is more expensive than the USPS, it provides super expedited speed, convenience by providing door-to-door pick-up and delivery, extreme reliability and privacy for the family. It is important to note that commercial airlines require that remains be accompanied by a signed certificate of death or a burial/burial removal permit, as required by law.

SHIPPING HUMAN REMAINS

tragedy no one industry has felt the sting of changes in commercial aviation Since the September 11 th more than the funeral industry. The financial distress caused by this act has caused a significant reduction in the number of cities served, the size of the aircraft and its cargo capacity, the number of direct flights from major cities, and the increased possibility that a major carrier will face closure. Cities such as Green Bay, Wis., Charleston, W.Va., and Cheyenne, Wyo, were once served by aircraft that had the capability to move human remains. Now funeral directors in these cities must recover from larger cities with drives up to eight hours. This problem will only worsen with time as commercial airlines replace existing aircraft with regional jets or cancel routes all together. It is also important to note that the newer “low fare” airlines coming into the market have been unwilling to accept human remains further complicating matters. Another option to consider when time is of the essence and the commercial airlines are not available is to charter an aircraft. Chartered aircraft, albeit significantly more costly than using a commercial aircraft, can be flown anywhere, anytime. Usually the airplane can be on location within two hours of the call and unlike commercial airlines, will land to the closet recovery airport (providing there is appropriate runway length). When families want their loved one’s remains home immediately, especially if death is a result of a tragedy, a charter may be viable option. As mentioned earlier companies such as AirNet can accommodate an on-demand charter. No matter where the remains are coming from or going to,

AirNet will find the most cost effective aircraft for the mission, make all ground arrangements, and complete all necessary paperwork. This service can be most useful to a family who wants to recover their loved one’s remains as soon as possible (especially from remote locations) do not want their loved one’s remains to ride in the baggage compartment or in situations where privacy is of the utmost important. In addition to the human remains on most private aircraft one passenger is permitted to accompany the remains during flight. Charter pricing is based on the origin and destination, the size of the shipping container (combo unit vs. airtray), and availability of aircraft. Prices range from $2500 to over $20,000. Examples of pst missions have included flying remains from the east coast to the west coast in less than six hours to accommodate an early morning funeral, flying remains to Central America, and recovering remains from a remote location out west and delivering to grieving family in the Midwest. Chartering an aircraft may not always be to simply recover the remains from the point of death and fly it home. In one instance where a plane was chartered a man’s family wished to have multiple viewings in multiple cities. The man had owned businesses in several locations on the east coast and rather than ask the employees to come to one central location to pay their last respects, they chartered an aircraft and the remains were flown to four different cities in two days. In another example a wife wanted to memorialize her husband who had a deep admiration for aviation by chartering a private plane to fly his remains over the Pacific Ocean. As funeral directors move to event planning, a charter might be a unique option for a family to celebrate a loved one’s life. A private charter is not for everyone, but don’t make the mistake of dismissing it as an option. As the commercial airlines continue to struggle, it can be a useful option in time of need. A private charter can be dispatched day or night and has very few restrictions associated with the commercial airlines.
The recovering funeral home can recover directly from the aircraft, which is important when privacy is important. If you depend on a mortuary shipper to assist in shipping cremated or human remains you should ask them about charter options if commercial airlines are not meeting your customer’s demands. Chances are they have used a charter in the past and can assist you in contacting a company that specialized in charters.

CONCLUSION

While a vast majority of the time traditional mortuary shipping works, it is important to know there are other options available that may be useful. A grieving family needs to be presented with all options when traditional methods break down. While cost may be prohibitive the decision needs to be made by the family not the funeral director. And most importantly it is important that you do not suggest an option that is not viable such as shipping cremated remains through the traditional air express companies. Know the rules, but more importantly know your options. It may come in handy the next time the traditional mortuary shipping methods break down.

Remember, Cremation Options is here to help you all day, every day with your funeral and cremation needs. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact us, simply call 1-877-989-9090. At any time of day or night, you will be able to speak with one of our trained, sympathetic and understanding representatives.

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What an inspired time it must have been in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. The founding fathers were on their game when they formulated the U. S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights. Now some 220 years later while some of the provisions of the Bill of Rights have weathered some serious challenges they are still the rock solid foundation of the American way of life. The second amendment was withstood many challenges by anti-gun groups and they usually sound like this:”The founding fathers probably couldn’t foresee AK47s and other assault weapons. “The success of the challenge obviously depends on what ideology is calling the shots. Historically limits have been place on the second amendment. For example an assault weapons ban was enacted in 1994 as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. However the measure was allowed to expire 10 years later. Also a frequently debated concept is what constitutes free speech? A new challenge to the first amendment is developing with funeral service squarely in the middle. Do you think the founding fathers could have foreseen the likes of the Rev. Fred Phelps? The Westboro Baptist Church and anti gay Kansas church group is staging protests at funerals across the country. The small congregation led by Phelps has gained national notoriety for picketing the funerals of U. S. soldiers, gay people and those who have died from AIDS, claiming the god is punishing the United States for supporting homosexuality. So far these protests have triggered nearly 40 percent of the United States to enact legislation to keep funeral services free for demonstrations by banning any disorderly or disruptive conduct including offensive signs and abusive language within the vicinity of a funeral service. Freedom of speech is not absolute. In Schenck v. United States Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. set the standard for judging when freedom of speech may lawfully be limited. Holmes writing a unanimous Supreme Court decision stated that speech could be punished if “the words are used in such circumstances and of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent. “He illustrated the point by arguing that no one has a constitutional right to shout “fire!”in a crowded theater when no fire is present. Such action would pose a “clear and present danger” to public safety. It stands to reason that some media hungry church group protesting the funeral of a soldier killed in the line of duty with signs that read “thank god for IED’s” (improvised explosive devices) and “Burn in Hell” is presenting more of a clear and present danger to the public safety than if someone shouted “fire” in a movie theater. Enter the American Civil Liberties Union. While the ACLU said it has no current intention to challenge the laws, they predict that a challenge will arise most likely by Phelps himself. Should Phelps win states would be forced to pay attorneys fees to help fund his organization for a long time to come. “Speech that is cruel, distasteful and upsetting is still protected by the First Amendment and (leaves) the state on precarious legal footing,” said Chuck Samuelson executive director of the ACLU of Minnesota. If Phelps group wants to travel all over the country maybe they should think about protesting the fact that the price of gas has risen to more than $2. 50 a gallon again. How ironic is it that freedom of speech is being used as a defense by a group that does not respect an individual’s right to personal privacy.

If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.

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Cremation tycoon Henry Keizer, secretary general of the International Cremation Federation (ICF) and president/CEO of the Facultatieve Group, the Hague addressed CANA attendees on the topic of “Developments in Cremation Worldwide. ” He began his presentation by detailing ICF’s history and role in the cremation industry. The very first ICF convention, he explained took place in 1937 and was founded “to promote cremation to the highest standard. ” The group came together to create a set of rules and a code of ethics. In 1996 the ICF was granted consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, which grants the federation the authority to contribute to the international cremation movement and the work of the United Nations. In some countries, Keizer said cremation is not accepted which has made the federation’s mission to “get the cremation movement going,” difficult. Greece for example is anti-cremation and yet has enormous influence on the government. Through the U. N. , however ICF has been able to have a greater push throughout the world. “As a worldwide organization we want to help people, but we also have to be sensitive,” said Keizer. “It’s a matter of learning and respecting each other. ” For example he said in Nepal, it is customary to bring the deceased person to the highest mountain and wait for the vultures to come. In other parts of the world this would be disrespectful. ICF has made a point to be sensitive to various cultures and traditions. Some of ICF’s goals include providing information about cremation, simplifying the cremation process and freezing cremation from any legal restrictions as well as eliminating any problems transporting cremated remains across country lines. Keizer also briefly spoke about the history of cremation. Although many people believe cremation was first developed in Europe, Keizer explained that this is not so. In 1792 Henry Laurens, the second president of the continental congress of the United States, a man who “fought fiercely against slavery,” noted in his will that he wanted this son to “cause my body to be wrapped in 12 yards of tow-cloth and burned until it be entirely consumed, and then collecting my bones, deposit them wherever he may think proper. ” There were no retorts at the time of course, so Laurens’ body was burned in a woodpile. The first active cremation came around 1815 in Europe, moving to Pennsylvania in 1876, then onto Canada in 1901 and the Netherlands in 1913. Keizer also spoke and showed slides of several modern crematories, one in Berlin that was built in 2000. The large and impressive building, he said has its downsides. For some people, “this is too impressive,” he said, “people are so impressed that they forget why they are there. It becomes about the building. ” Also in Berlin, the cremation process is fully automatic, with computers determining when each body will be cremated, when the casket will be taken out and placed in the retort, etc. And with the thousands of cremations taking place, often there is a backlog of six to eight weeks between the time of death and the time of cremation. In fact, the Berlin crematory has enough storage room for 600 caskets. With the cremation process becoming more and more automated, Keizer said it is important to keep the human element intact. At his firm, he said, “we have a rotating roster. ” One week, an operator may be working the retort, and the next week that person will be greeting families. Keizer went on to describe various cremation customs throughout the world. In India the family’s status is determined by the quality of wood used to cremate the body. With good quality wood being extremely expensive, “people will choose to use less wood from the higher quality instead of buying the right amount of the lower quality wood. ” The cremated remains in India are scattered in the river Ganges, into the same water where people bathe and where children play. The problem occurs when the cremated remains are not completely pulverized. As a solution, they have installed iron cages with meat eating turtles to devour any flesh. At the end of his presentation, Keizer touched on the future of cremation. He described the café’ at his crematory which gives families a place to hold a reception. A cemetery of crematory “doesn’t have to be dark and gloomy, or have the odor of death. People need to feel at home. ” He also spoke about how the Ospar convention relates to the cremation industry, as far as the amalgam in dental work which, when boiled into a vapor, separates into extremely toxic mercury. As a result of the convention, in most countries, by 2012 retorts will have to have filters in place. “There is a lot of money in that,” he said, suggesting that although this will probably happen in Canada before the United States that all crematory owners need to come up with a strategy.

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