l.

TM
PROACTIVE PREVENTION. REACTI VE COUNSELING.
CREMATION
STRATEGIES & CONSULTING

•
CERTIFIED CREMATORY
OPERATOR CLASSROOM
WORKBOOK

• lcREMATION CENTRAL]
 •
CREMATION
STRATEGIES & CONSULTING

PROACTIV E PREVENTION. REACTIVE COUNSELING.

•
Copyright © 2014-2017 by Cremation Strategies & Consulting
Tulsa, OK USA
All rights reserved. This manual or any portian thereof
may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever
without the express written permission of Cremation Strategies & Consulting .
Always follow federal , provincial and local laws!

CSC, Lemasters Consulting, and ICCFA accept no liability or the

content of this manual, or far the consequences of any actions
taken on the basis of the information provided herein.

Forward any questions regarding this workbook to:

Cremation Strategies & Consulting
PO Box 33073 • Tulsa, OK 74153
Phone: 539.777.1938 • email: hello@cremationstrategy.com
Revised 02/2017 •
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

INTROOUCTION 4

TERMS ANO OEFINITIONS 5

HISTORY OF CREMATION 14

CREMATION TOOAY 17

COMBUSTION BASICS 23

SYSTEM CONTROLS 29

OPERATING THE CREMATOR 32

PROCEOURES FOR VARIOUS CASES 36

• CASKET ANO CONTAINER TYPES 39

CREMATORY LAW 41

CREMATION ANO THE ENVIRONMENT 44

PERMITS 52

SAFETY 57

MAINTENANCE 63

ETHICS 67

RESOURCES 72

APPENOICES 73

• 3
INTRODUCTION
B ecause of the irreversible nature of the process, anyone involved with cremation
should be fully trained in not only the safe and efficient operation of the cremation
equipment but also the theoretical application of cremation and the standard of care
expected of anyone connected in any way to the funeral rite of an individual. Everyone
•
from the licenses funeral director to the administration staff, from the embalmer
to the grounds keepers, all are part of a process of turning a dead body in to a living
memory for someone. A certified crematory operator must never lose sight of this fact.

[kree-meyt]
verb (used with object), cre·mat·ed, cre·mat·ing.
t.
to reduce (a dead body) to abone fragment
state through combustion and dehydration,
•
especially as a funeral rite.

4
•
 TERMS ANO DEFINITIONS
• Jtbyisstatute
important to note that different states and provinces may have specific definitions
so knowing your own local laws that define and regula te cremation
and the disposition of cremated remains is critical for a certified cremationist.

LEGAL TERMS

Accredited - recognized or authorized by the American Board of Funeral Service

Education.

Adm inistrative costs and expenses - the cost of copies, transcripts, court reporter and
witness fees, reimbursement for mileage and office of administrative hearings costs.

Alternative container - any unfinished wood box or other nonmetal receptacle or

enclosure, with or without ornamentation ora fixed interior lining, that is designed for
the encasement of human remains.

Apprentice embalmer - a person who is registered and who is engaged in embalming

•
under the supervision of a licensed embalmer.

Authorizing agent - a person who is legally entitled to arder the cremation,

disinterment or embalming of human remains pursuant to state or provincial law.

Beneficiary - a person whose future funeral arrangements will be handled by a funeral

establishment pursuant to a prearranged funeral agreement.

Board - the state or provincial regulatory board of funeral directors and embalmers.

Business entity includes any corporation, association, limited liability company,

professional corporation, partnership, limited partnership, sale proprietorship,
business trust, trust, joint venture and other business entity.

Casket - a rigid container that is designed for the permanent encasement of human
remains and that is usually constructed of wood, metal, or synthetic substances and
ornamented and lined with fabric.

Change of ownership - a transfer of a controlling legal or equitable interest in a licensed

funeral establishment or crematory resulting from a sale or merger. If the establishment
or crematory is operated by a business entity, any transfer of the ownership of 10% or
• more of the entity constitutes a change of ownership.

5
Conviction - a criminal adjudication or conviction by any state or federal court of
competent jurisdiction, including a judgment based on a no contest plea, without •
regard to whether civil rights have been restored.

Cremated remains - the remaining bone-like fragments after cremation.

Cremation - the h eating process th at reduces human remains to bone-like fragments by

combustion and evaporation.

Cremation chamber - the enclosed space within which the cremation process takes
place. Cremation chambers covered by these procedures shall be used exclusively for
the cremation of human remains.

Cremation container - a leak and spill resistant, rigid, combustible, closed receptacle
in to which human remains are placed before cremation. The case in which the human
remains should be delivered to the crematory to be placed in the cremation chamber for
cremation.

Cremationist- a person who opera tes a crematory unit, who performs the actual
cremation of human remains and who is licensed pursuant to their local licensing
requirements.

Cremator - an fully contained, modulated multi-chambered machine used to perform •

cremation of human remains.

Crematory (or Crematorium)- a building or portion of a building that is licensed

pursuant to local license requirements and that houses a cremator in which only
human remains are cremated.

Crematory authority - The legal entity or the authorized representative of the legal
entity who conducts the cremation.

Disciplinary action - action taken by the board to revoke or suspenda license or

registration, to impose probationary requirements or civil penalties orto issue a letter of
censure or reprimand to any person who is subject to this chapter and who violates any
provision of this chapter or rules adopted by the board.

Embalmer - a person who is licensed pursuant to local licensing requirements and who
is engaged in the embalming of human remains.

Embalmer's assistant - a person who is registered pursuant to local licensing

requirements and who is engaged in embalming with out the supervision of a licensed •
embalmer.

6
 Embalming - the implem entation of re-con structive procedures or the process of

• disinfecting and preserving a dead human body to retard organic decomposition by

treating th e body to reduce th e presen ce and growth of organisms.

Financial institution - a bank, savings and loan association, trust company, or credit
union that is lawfully doing business in th is state and that is not affiliated with a funeral
establishment.

Fixed price prearranged funeral agreement funded by trust - any agreemen t or

combination of agreements that establishes a fixed price for funera l goods and services,
that requires a funeral establishment to provide those funera l goods and services at the
price levels in effect at the time of the execution of the agreement and that requires the
purchaser to convey all ora portia n of th e accrued interest to the funeral establishment
at the tim e that the funeral goods and services are actually provided .

Funded by insurance - that monies for a pre-arranged fu neral agreement are paid
directly to a licensed insurance company on behalf of the beneficiary of th e agreement.

Funeral directing - arrangin g, directing, or providing a service in the disposition of

dead human bodies for compensation.

• Funeral director - a person who is licensed pursuant to local license requirements an d

who is engaged in funeral directing.

Funeral establishment - a busin ess at a specific location that is licensed pursuant to

local laws an d tha t is devoted to the care, storage, or preparation for final disposition or
transportation of dead huma n bodies.

Funeral goods and services - any personal property or services typically sold or
provided in connection with the final disposition of human remain s including caskets,
alternative containers, outer burial containers, cremation contain ers, tran sportation
containers, fu neral clothing or accessories, monuments, grave markers, urns,
embalming services, funeral directing services and similar funera l or burial items.
Funeral goods and services does n ot include goods and services sold by cemeteries.

Good moral character - that a person :

(a) Has n ot been convicted of a class 1or 2 felony by a court of competent jurisdiction .
(b) Has not, within five years of application for licensure or registration, been
convicted of a felony or misdemeanor if the offen se has a reasonable relationship to
the person 's proposed area of licensure or registration.
(c) Has not, within five years of application for licensure or registration , committed

•
any act involving dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation , breach of fiduciary duty, gross
n egligen ce, or in competence if th e act h as a reasonable relation ship to t he person 's
proposed area of licensure or registration.
7
 (d) Is not currently incarcerated in or on community supervision after a period of
imprisonment in a local, state, or federal penal institution or on criminal probation .
(e) Has not engaged in fraud or misrepresentation in connection with an application
far licensure or registration under this chapter oran examination required far
licensure or registration.
(f) Has not, within five years of application far licensure or registration, hada license,
•
registration or endorsement revoked or suspended by the board or by the funeral
services licensing authority of any other jurisdiction.
(g) Has not surrendered a license, registration , or endorsement to the board or the
funeral licensing authority of any other jurisdiction in lieu of disciplinary action.
(h) Has not practiced funeral directing or embalming without a license in this state or
any other jurisdiction that requires licensure to perform these activities.

Holding facility - a designated area far the retention of human remains.

Human remains - a dead human body prior to cremation.

lntern - a person who is licensed pursuant to local laws and who is engaged in
embalming under the supervision of a licensed embalmer.

License - a written authorization that is issued by a governing board and that entitles
a person to actas a funeral director, embalmer, or intern orto operate a funeral •
establishment or crematory in its respective state, province or country.

Licensee - a person to whom a license has been issued to actas a funeral director,
embalmer, or intern orto operate a funera l establishment or crematory.

Manage -
(a) Far a responsible funeral director to exercise control and oversight over ali
employees of a funeral establishment and over funeral transactions, including the care
of dead human bodies, funeral services and activities and the documentation and
retention of records.
(b) For a responsible cremationist to exercise control and oversight over ali employees
of a crematory and crematory operations.

National board examination - the test or tests given by the conference of funeral
service examining boards to determine the entry level knowledge and skills of a person
regarding funeral directing and embalming.

Net interest - interest earned on a pre-arranged funeral trust account less applicable
taxes, reasonable and necessary charges made by the financia} institution and the
annual service fee permitted to be deducted by the funeral establishment according to
legal statute. •

8
 Outer burial container - a container that is designed for placement in a grave around a
• casket, including burial vaults, grave boxes, and grave liners.

Owner - a person who owns ten per cent or more of a business entity. Owner does not
include shareholders of companies who have a class of common equity stock listed or
authorized to be listed on the New York stock exchange or the American stock exchange
or listed on the NASDAQ stock market.

Person legally respon sible - the person legally responsible to make decisions for the
disposition of a dead body.

Pre-arranged f uneral agreement - any agreement or combination of agreements

under which a payment is made befare the death of the intended beneficiary for funeral
goods and services to be delivered or performed after the death of the beneficiary.

Pre-arranged f uneral trust account - a trust account that is established ata financia!
institution and into which all monies paid on behalf of a beneficiary pursuant to a
prearranged funeral agreement are deposited.

Preparation - washing, shaving, dressing or arranging hair on, applying cosmetics to or

positioning bodily features on a dead human body and placing a dead human body in a

• casket .

Processed cremated remains - cremated remains after they are pulverized and
cleaned, leaving primarily small bone-like fragments reduced to unidentifiable
dimensions.

Provisionally accredited - granted candidacy status by the American board of funeral

service education.

Registration - a written authorization that is issued by a governing board and that

entitles a person to actas an apprentice embalmer, an assistant funeral director, an
embalmer's assistant, ora pre-arranged funeral salesperson.

Responsible cremationist - a licensed cremationist who manages a crematory.

Responsible funeral d irector - a person who is licensed pursuant to local laws, who
is engaged in funeral directing and who manages and is accountable for a funeral
establishment.

Retort - a type of cremator. Specifically one which the secondary chamber is located
• beneath the floor of the primary chamber.

Seal-able Container - any container in which processed remains can be placed and
9
sealed so as to prevent leakage of processed remains or the en trance of foreign materials .

Supervise or supervision - a licensed embalmer who has responsibility for and is

within sight and sound of a registered apprentice embalmer or licensed intern who
is embalming a dead human body ora student who is assisting in embalming a dead
human body.
•
Temporary container - a receptacle that is usually made of cardboard, rigid plastic or
another similar material and that is designed to hold processed cremated remains until
they are placed in an urn or another permanent container.

Trust funds - all monies deposited on behalf of a beneficiary of a pre-arranged

funeral agreement funded by trust and all accrued net interest. Trust funds shall be
considered an account kept in suspense until distributed to the beneficiary, the funeral
establishment, or the estate of the beneficiary in accordance with the law.

Universal precautions - the universal blood and fluid precautions recommended by

the Centers for Disease Control of the United Sta tes public health service to prevent the
transmission of blood-borne and bodily fluid-borne infectious diseases.

Unprofessional conduct includes the following acts:

(a) Commission of a class 1 or 2 felony. •
(b) Commission of a felony or misdemeanor if the offense has a reasonable
relationship to funeral directing or embalming. Conviction by any court of
competent jurisdiction ora plea of no con test is conclusive evidence of the
commission.
(c) Providing false, misleading, or deceptive information on an application for
licensure or registration pursuant to this chapter or on an examination required for
licensure or registration.
(d) Bribing or offering to bribe, directly or indirectly, a member of the board to
influence the member's actions in the performance of the member's duties.
(e) Willfully interfering with an embalmer, funeral director or cremationist who
has lawful custody of a dead human body in the performance of the embalmer's or
funeral director's or cremationist's duty to embalm or prepare the body for burial or
transportation or cremation.
(f) Paying or causing money or other valuable consideration to be paid to a person,
other than an employee of a funeral establishment, to secure business regulated
pursuant to this chapter from or through the person.
(g) Violating any law of this state or any rule adopted by the department of health
services that relates to the embalming or preparation of dead human bodies.
(h) Certifying falsely to having embalmed or prepared a dead human body that was
embalmed by a person other than a licensed embalmer making the certification oran
intern or apprentice embalmer under the supervision of a licensed embalmer making •
the certification.
10
 (i) Falsely advertising or labeling any service or merchandise with the intention of

• deceiving the public.

(j) Shipping or delivering any merchandise or supplies that are not the substantial
equivalent of or superior in quality to merchandise or supplies previously presented to
the purchaser as samples.
(k) Committing any act involving dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, breach
of fiduciary duty, gross negligence, or incompetence if the act has a reasonable
relationship to funeral directing or embalming.
(1) Engaging in any conductor practice that is reasonably related to funeral directing
or embalming and that is or may be harmful or dangerous to the health, safety, or
welfare of the public.
(m) Within a period of five years, having a license, registration or endorsement
suspendedor revoked by the board or by the funeral services licensing authority of
any other jurisdiction or surrendering a license, registration or endorsement in lieu of
disciplinary action.

Urn - a receptacle into which processed cremated remains are placed for disposition.

CREMATION INDUSTRY TERMS

At-need arrangements - arrangements made by an authorized person on behalf of a

•
deceased person after the time of death .

Authorizing agent - the person legally entitled to order the final disposition of human
remains, including burial, cremation, entombment, donation to medical science, or
other means. The order of preference for an authorizing agent is (unless prior directions
were provided by the decedent or where different by law):
a. Spouse;
b. Majority of adult children;
c. Parent;
d. Close relative of the deceased; or,
e. In the absence of a person listed above, a personal representative, ora public
administrator.

Closed container - a container in which cremated remains can be placed and enclosed
in a manner that prevents leakage or spillage of cremated remains oren trance of foreign
material.

Columbarium - structure with niches for placement of cremated remains in urns or

other approved containers. It may be outdoors or part of a mausoleum or mortuary.

Cremated remains - human remains recovered after the completion of the cremation,
• including pulverization that leaves only bone-like fragments reduced to unidentifiable
dimensions.
11
Cremation - technical process, using heat that reduces human remains to bone-like
fragments. The reduction takes place through heat and evaporation.

Cremation chamber - enclosed space within which the cremation process takes place.
•
Cremation container - the container in which the human remains are placed in the
cremation chamber far a cremation. A cremation container must meet substantially all
of the fallowing standards:
a. be able to clase to provide a complete covering far the human remains;
b. be composed of readily combustible materials suitable far cremation;
c. be resistant to leakage or spillage;
d. be rigid enough far handling with ease; and
e. be able to provide protection far the health and safety of crematory personnel.

Cremation vault - container for an urn made of concrete, metal, fiberglass, or durable
plastic.

Crematory - building or portian of a building that houses the cremation chamber and
the holding facility.

•
Crematory operator - person in charge of the licensed crematory facility.

Cremat ory technician - employee of a crematory facility who is trained to perform

cremations and is licensed (if required) by the local governing board.

Holding facil ity - area within or adjacent to the crematory facility designated for the
retention of human remains prior to cremation that must:
a. comply with any applicable public health law;
b. preserve the dignity of the human remains;
c. recognize the health, safety, and integrity of the crematory operator and crematory
personnel; and
d. be secure from access by anyone other than authorized personnel.

lnterment - lawful disposition of cremated remains or human remains.

Mausoleum - community-type room or space in a building or structure used or

in tended to be used far the interment of human remains in crypts or niches.

Mausoleum-columbarium - building or structure containing both a mausoleum anda

columbarium.

Niche - space in a columbarium, mausoleum, or niche wall used far interment of •

cremated remains or human remains of one or more deceased persons.
12
• Pre-need authorization - arrangement made prior to the death of the person. A person
can make a pre-need arrangement with a licensed funeral director or licensed mortician.
A person can also authorize another individual to make pre-need arrangements on his/
her behalf.

Urn garden - specially designed area in a cemetery far the burial of urns. Sorne
gardens offer individual urn burial plots that will accommodate a marker. Others offer
unmarked areas far interment of the urn, with adjacent walls or sculptures far memorial
plaques. Also called a cremation garden .

• 13
 •
HISTORY OF CREMATION
W hy <loes what happened long ago matter? History is inescapable and
understanding the link from the past to the present is essential to
understanding our existence and the dimensions of contemporary reality.

According to the Cremation Association of North America cremation probably began

during the early Stone Age - around 3000 B.C. - and most likely in Europe and the Near
East. During the late Stone Age cremation began to spread across northern Europe. In
the ancient world cremation took place on an open pyre.

With the advent of the Bronze Age - 2500 to 1000 B.C. - cremation moved in to
the British Isles and in to what is now Spain and Portugal. Cemeteries for cremation
developed in Hungary and northern Italy, spreading to northern Europe and even
Ireland.

In the Mycenaean Age - circa 1000 B.C. - cremation became an integral part of the
elabora te Grecian burial custom. In fact, it became the dominant mode of disposition
by the time of Homer in 800 B.C. and was actually
encouraged for reasons of health and expedient burial of
slain warriors in this battle-ravaged country. Although
ground burial continued (even a symbolic sprinkling of •
earth over the body fulfilled requirements), cremation
became so closely associated with valor and manly virtue,
patriotism, and military glory that it was regarded as the
only fitting conclusion for an epic life.

Following this Grecian trend, the early Romans probably

embraced cremation sorne time around 600 B.C. and it
apparently became so prevalent, that an official decree had
ALEXANDER THE GREAT to be issued in the mid Sth Century against the cremation
JULY 356 - JUNE 323 BC of bodies within the city. Cremation became such a status
symbol in Rome that constructing and renting space in a
columbarium (vault or similar structure with niches in the walls to receive the ashes of
the dead) became a profitable business.

At the time of the Roman Empire -- 27 B.C. to 395 A.D. -- it was widely practiced, and
cremated remains were generally stored in elaborate urns. By about 100 AD, however,
cremations in the Roman Empire were stopped, perhaps because of the spread of
Christianity. Although cremation was not explicitly taboo among Christians, it was
not encouraged by them beca use of pagan associations and beca use of the concern that
it might interfere with the promised resurrection of the body and its reunion with the •
soul. The most practica! reason was that cremations were threatening to bring about

14
 serious wood shortages, since so much timber was being felled for pyres .

• Cremation was rare with the early Christians who considered it pagan and in the
Jewish culture where traditional sepulcher entombment was preferred. However, by
400 A.D., as a result of Constantine's Christianization of the Empire, earth burial had
completely replaced cremation except forrare instances of plague or war, and for the
next 1,500 years remained the accepted mode of disposition throughout Europe.

Cremation in the 19th & 20th Century

Cremation remained uncommon in Christian countries until the 1800's. Then

concern about land use in urban areas and increasing opposition to church
restrictions helped reawaken interest in cremation. After years of experimentation
Professor Brunetti of Italy finally perfected bis model and displayed it at the 1873
Vienna Exposition, the cremation movement started almost simultaneously on both
sides of the Atlantic. The first legally recognized crematory for public use opened in
Milan, Italy, in 1876.

In India and sorne other countries where the custom is ancient, cremation is
considered very desirable. It is the wish of all devout Hindus to be incinerated in
Varanasi. The waterfront of that holy city is lined with concrete and marble slabs on

• which pyres are erected. The remains are then deposited in the Ganges River.

In the British Isles, Queen Victoria's surgeon, Sir Henry Thompson who authored the
book Cremation: The Treatment of the Body After Death, fostered the movement.
Concerned with hazardous health conditions, Sir Henry and bis colleagues founded
the Cremation Society of England in 1874. The first crematories in Europe were built
in 1878 in Woking, England and Gotha, Germany. Although it was not until 1884
that a British court first ruled cremation a legal procedure,
it won immediate support on both sides of the Atlantic.

In North America, although there had been two recorded

instances of cremation befare 1800, the real start began in
1876 when Dr. Julius LeMoyne built the first crematory in
Washington, Pennsylvania. In 1884 the second crematory
opened in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and, as was true of many
of the early crematories, it was owned and operated by a
cremation society. Other forces behind early crematory
openings were Protestant clergy who desired to reform
burial practices and the medical profession concerned with
health conditions around early cemeteries.

• Dr. Hugo Erichsen (1860-1944)

Crematories soon sprang up in Buffalo, New York,

15
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Los Angeles. By 1900, there were already 20
crematories in operation. By the time that Dr. Hugo Erichsen founded the Cremation •
Association of America in 1913 (later the name changed to the Cremation Association
of North America), there were 52 crematories in North America and over 10,000
cremations took place in that year.

Growth of the practice has been slow in the United States; by the 1970s only about 8
percent of the dead were cremated. In 1975, there were over 425 crematories and nearly
150,000 cremations. Cremation has been gaining steam since then.

By 1999 there were 1,468 crematories and 595,617 cremations, a percentage of 25.39%
of all deaths in the United States. lt is projected that in 2010 37.15% of all US deaths will
be cremated.

By 2015 there were 2,962 crematoria

in the USA and over 1,285,000
cremations performed, arate of 48.6%
of deaths.
It has been more readily accepted in
sorne European and Asían countries;
the figure in England, Czech
Republic, Switzerland, and Denmark, •
for example, is more than 70 percent.
In Ja pan, where cremation was illegal
in 1975, the practice has become
almost universal.

JAPANESE POST CREMATION RITUAL

16
•
 CREMATION TODAY
• ¡n western society cremation is fast becoming (or in sorne areas, has already
become) the preferred method for the disposition of a dead body. Cremations
today are performed in self-contained, modulated multi-chambered mechanical
units designed to operate safely, efficiently and environmentally friendly.

INTRODUCTION
Most funeral directors can arrange a cremation. A funeral service may take place
before or after the actual cremation. While cremations used to be performed in the
open air on pyres, today's cremations are
performed in a building called a crematory
or crematorium. The body is put in a casket
or alternative container, which is burned in
a special machine from one to four hours.
The remaining bone-like fragments are then
pulverized into the final cremated remains
in the consistency of powder or sand. The
cremated remains are placed in a container
called an urn and given to the relatives of the

• deceased. The relatives may keep the ashes, bury them in a cemetery, or place them in
a special burial vault called a columbarium. Sorne people request that their ashes be
scattered in one particular place, such as a favorite lake.

Cremation is fundamentally a heating process that reduces human remains to abone-

like state through combustion and dehydration. The cremator is designed to safely
provide an efficient and controlled environment for the cremation of human remains.
The cremation process and the rate of combustion are automatically controlled.

The temperature of the charge (container and remains) and the retained heat in the
refractory lining are all automatically monitored during operation ensuring the
chambers are maintained at the proper temperatures required for complete combustion
of the charge.

BASIC COMPONENTS OF TODAY'S CREMATION

After the initial cremation arder has been filled out, the authorization form has been
signed by the authorizing agent, the family has identified the remains by means of
viewing the remains or seeing a picture of the remains, all forms and the witness rules
and regulations have been receipted and signed by the authorizing agent or pertinent
parties, flowers and memorial book have been placed strategically in the viewing area,
• and you have received the proper permits for cremation, you will start the cremation
process:
17
Final scrutinizing of the case and container - prior to the cremation and out of view •
of any witnesses, scrutinize the case and container for any foreign material that is
non-combustible or potentially hazardous if cremated and remove. Perform one last
identification of the deceased with respect to the paperwork and description. Remove
any plastic or metal casket ornamentation prior to placing the charge into the chamber.

Witness seating - Seat permitted witnesses in the witness seating area, if appropriate.

Cremate -Assure the cremation chamber is ready and perform the cremation.

Gather all cremated remains - Sweep together and remove all cremated remains for
placement in the pulverization unit.

Processing or Pulverizing - Perform the processing/pulverization process.

Placement of cremated rema ins - If the mechanical processor does not automatically
fill the cremated remains container, gather all the cremated
remains for placement in a plastic bag, making sure the
identification tag matches your paper work again. Place
cremated remains in the proper container as shown on your

•
paperwork.

Complete final records - fill in all final records.

Disposition and transpo rting of cremat ed remains - Return

the cremated remains to the funeral director in charge or if
tasked, to the designated recipient on your Authorization to
Cremate form. You may also be tasked to deliver the cremated
remains to their final place of disposition.

Dign ity and compassion - Make sure that through out the entire process you have
treated the decedent with dignity and compassion. Never lose sight of the fact that you
are a part in a very important process turning a dead body in to a living memory for
someone.

DEMOGRAPHICS OF CREMATION ANO CONSIDERATIONS IN

CHOOSING CREMATION

RELIGIOUS ANO SPIRITUAL CONCERNS

Religious and Spiritual issues can be a concern for sorne people. Cremation is accepted •
among almost all religions. ReformJudaism accepts cremation, but Orthodox
and ConservativeJudaism are opposed. If you are uncertain whether cremation is
18
 compatible with your religious faith, a discussion with a member of the clergy or other

• religious authority is recommended. Different cultures and religions have differing

practices and restrictions regarding ceremonies and the disposition of cremated
remains. Your cremation provider is careful to honor these practices.

FINANCIAL ANO PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Cremation is usually much more economical than a body burial. A burial can cost about
twice as muchas a cremation with similar ceremonies. However, burial costs can vary
widely. Compare costs and services.
In addition to cost, you must consider today's mobile society. Family members are no
longer buried in a nearby cemetery that is visited frequently by relatives. Many old
cemeteries have fallen in to disuse and disrepair because families are not nearby. Even
the choice of a "perpetua! or endowed care" cemetery is questionable when there are no
relatives likely to visit.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

Cremation saves land for the living and offers an immediate return to nature. Sorne
choose cremation because they believe that body burial uses precious natural resources
in order to preserve the remains in the ground.

• PERSONAL PREFERENCES

Sorne people are very uncomfortable with the full service funeral and body
burial. Others are equally uncomfortable with the idea of cremation without any
accompanying services. Part of the feeling comes from the tradition in which people
have been raised. Many families are now establishing their own traditions. If discussing
the topic of death and the alternative methods available is difficult for someone, a
funeral professional can meet with them and discuss options. Sometimes discussions
are less "emotionally bound" and made easier if an impartial party is present.

MEMORIAL OPTIONS

Families need to decide if the cremated remains are going to be divided (such as among
the decedent's loved ones, or for placement in different locations).
Placement and memorials can beata cemetery (regular grave ora cremation grave),
in a columbarium niche located ata church, cemetery, university or at home. The
cremation provider usually handles the death certifica te filing and notification to Social
Security (and the Veterans' Administration if the deceased was a veteran).

WHY CONSUMERS CHOOSE CREMATION

• Funeral and Memorial Information Council (FAMIC) has conducted numerous

19
consumer research studies of consumers' attitudes toward memorialization and
ritualization since September 1990 to better understand the personal values which drive •
consumers' decision-making behavior as they pertain to funeral service; learn more
about attitudes toward cremation and pre-planning; and study trends related to funeral
and burial services.

The 2010 study revealed that overa 20-year period, those who report being likely to
choose cremation for a loved one has increased by more than 50 percent. 55% of survey
respondents indicated they were likely to choose cremation for a loved one where
in 1991 that number was 31 %. 94% of those most likely to choose cremation for a
loved one indicated they planned to have sorne sort of funeral or memorial service to
commemorate that life. The study also asked why cremation was chosen and the top 3
reasons follow.

-33% wanted to save money

-12% were saving land
-14% hada personal preference for cremation

Other factors influencing the grown in the number of cremations:

-Life expectancy is increasing

•
-Migration to retirement locations is increasing
- Regional differences are diminishing
- Educational levels are rising
- Cremation is becoming more ubiquitous as a normal form of disposition
- Family ties to tradition are lessening
- Environmental considerations are becoming more important

20
•
• 1876-M
1185-e9
.
Historical Cremation Data - Un ited St ates and Ca nada 1

- -
.:za
724
' - .
.
'
..
'

1890-94 ~97

1895-9!t 7.119
1900 2,363
1901 2.713
1902 3,200 3
1903 3,532 6
1904 4.P93 16
l !IOS 4,321 19
1906 4,537 19

.
1907 5,4 36 27
1908 6.152 52
1909 5,690
1910 6.466 97
19 1 1 7,524 74
1912 9.109 71
1913 10,la! 64
1914-18 65,571 N/A
1919-21 40,568 N/A

•
1922 15.,s63 106,100 141 0.13'111
1923 16,516 108,900 152 0 .1....
1924-28 101,467 538.700 N/A
1929-" 142,.346 553,100 3,044 O.SS"'
1934-38 7,100,000 182,054 2.56'llo 554)!00 4.160 0.75'111
1939-43 7,048,000 226;D.7 3.21'111 586,000 6,)19 ,.,..
1944-48 7,098,000 264,002 172'111 601,000 8,375 1.39'111
1949-53 7,393,000 299,.202 4.0S'lli 621)!00 12,225 1.!M4fo
1954 1,481,000 H/ 11. N/A 124,900 N/A ·N/A
19S5 1,529,000 Hf ll. N/A 121,SOO N/A N/A
1956 1,564,000 N/A N/A 132,000 N/A N/A
1957 1,6'!3,000 N/A N/A 136,600 NfA N/A
1958 1,618,000 58,760 3.sn. lll,200 3.724 2.75'111
1. ,000 59,376 3_.se. 139,900 4.096 293"'
1960 1.112,000 60,.987 3.56'llo 139,700 4,537 3.25'111
1961 1,702,000 6 1,595 3~ Hl ,000 4.891 3 .47'
1962 1,757;000 63,4:!5 3.6191> 143,700 5. 138 3..58'111
1963 1,114,000 67,3:!0 3.7191> 147,400 5,792 3.93'111
1964 1,;798,000 67,658 3.7~ 145,900 6,382 4.3,,.
1965 1,128,000 70,796 3.l?'A 148,900 6.906 4.64'111
1966 1,963,000 73,339 3.94'Jfo H9,900 7,381 4.93'111
1967 1,151,000 n, ,:lKIO ...
1961 1,930,000 83,977 4.35'111 153,200 1.oe1 5.:znt.
1969 1,922,000 &5,683 4.4A 154,SOO 1,408 S .44'111
1970 1,,921,000 88.096 4~ 156,000 9.188 5.89'i.
1971 1,921,000 92,251 . .,.,. 157,.JOO 9,406 s.-.

•
1972 1,.964,000 97,067 494'111 162,400 11 ,117

21
 ..
1973 1,973,000 112)98 S.6W 164,000
-
15,880 9.61M
•
1974 ¡, 1,934,400 119,480 6..18 166,IOO 17;415 10.+Mll
1975 1,892,900 123,918 6..55' H57,400 20,694 12~

1976 1,910,900 140.052 7.3~ 171,000 22,615 13~

1977 1,902, 100 145.J33 1 .. 24,713 14.JS.

19711 1,924,100 163,260 8.~ 171,000 28,456 16~

1979 1,905,000 179,393 9.4~ 170,600 30,274 17.759'

1980 . 193,343 9.~ 172,000 ll,423 18.159'
1981 1,9n.981 2 17,,7 70 11.01'1~ 173,000 34,884 20.1~

1912 1,974,797 232189 11 .~ 113,700 37,222 20.i.

1983 2.0 19,201 249,1&2 12349' 184,000 41,817 22.7~

1994 2,039,369 266,441 13.~ 115,SOO 44,630 24.069'

1985 2,086,440 289,091 13~ 190,SOO 49,216 25~

1916 2,105,361 300,517 1UA 195,000 54;482 27~

1987 2, 123..123 323,371 15..239' 197,000 53,867 27349'

19111 2, 167,999 Dl.183 1~ 186Ji00 57,5611 30.159'
1989 2,150,466 195,SOO 60plD 30J....
1990 11 2,141,"63 367,975 17.139' 193,000 62,797 32.S.
1991 2,169,518 'I00,465 18."69' 195,000 66.fMl7 33.1199'

•
1992 2,175,613 415,966 1!1.129' 115,211 64,557 34~

1993 2,2611,553 441,532 19.779' 193,557 70,017 36.17'

1994 2,271,994 470,915 20.•~ 11 1!15,331 75;4119 ll.65•
1995 2,3 12.132 488,224 21.11.. 210,545 79,206 37~

1!196 11 2,306,470 502,120 21.779' 201.n2 11,960 39.45..

1997 2,Y»,On 533173 23.l~ 209,395 8S,196 40~

1991 2,327,411 551,lla ll.91* 213,004 90,200 ~

1999 2,417,619 599,691 24.11 .. 219,136 101,454 46.lS.

2000 11 2,401,062 621.807 26.199' 223,719 106,756 47.11*
2001 2.415,487 652,826 27.Ql9' 223,510 110,327 49359'
2002 2,441,044 611,299 2l.2R 167,975 11,453 41.~

2003 2,445,069 723,686 29~ 226,267 116,690 51.609'

2004 2,l9S,6IO 745,175 31.1~ 226,465 120,554 53~

2005 2,442.!MO 790,5411 ~ 230,252 125,571 54~

2006 2,429,571 821,592 3~ 221,551 126,744 55.scM

2007 2,426,126 838,628 34..579' 235,513 114,088 56.9.3..
2008 2,471p:7 "'5,370 36.229' 231,732 140,707 51939'
2009 2,437,986 9311 22 38.229' 238,436 144,598 60.649'
2010 /16/J,767 998)99 '40.Sft 239,221 141,561 62.lCM
2011 2.511,627 1,0S5,995 42.049' 242.&SJ 152,311 62.7....
2012 2,537,713 1J1'17.5119 43.is.. ' 245,481 157,303 64.IC*
2013 2.592.902 1,171,381 45.209' 248,778 165,564 66.609'
2014 2,621,635 1,231)44 47.00. 257,351 1n,009 66.8C*
2015 2,645,lSI 1).851 11 4l.6C* 251,890 178,240 61.ICM

•
Annual CANA Statistics Report Featuring final 2014 data, newly released 2015 data and projections to 2020
Prepared by Singhal LLC and originally presented at t he Annual CANA Convention in Chicago, IL in August 2016 OCANA 2016

Please note: numbers from t he years 1876 to 1913 in the report above have been updated based on research by CANA Historian Jasen Ryan Engler.
The E.P. Samson Pittsburgh data ( 1914) and t he known num ber of cremations from t he J.S. Cobb Massachusetts report ( 190 1) have been merged to
include previously missing statistics from the Baltimore Crematory. 22
 COMBUSTION BASICS
• According to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, combustion is the act
or instance of burning. It is usually a rapid chemical process (as oxidation)
that produces heat and usually light; also a slower oxidation (as in the body).

CHEMISTRY
Combustion is a rapid chemical reaction between substances that is usually
accompanied by generation of heat and light in the form of flame . In most cases,
oxygen comprises one of the reactants. Other physical phenomena that sometimes
occur during combustion reactions are explosion and detonation .

The chemical processes in combustion are most commonly initiated by such factors
as heat, light, and spark. As the combustible m aterials achieve the ignition
temperature specific to the materials and the ambient pressure, the combustion
reaction begins. The combustion spreads from the ignition source to the adjacent layer
of gas mixture; in turn, each point of the burning layer serves asan ignition source
far the next ad jacent layer, an d so on. Combustion terminates wh en equilibrium is
achieved between the total heat energies of the reactants and the total heat energies of
• the products.

Combustion ~y be propagated by complicated branched-chain reactions, as in

hydrogen combustion. Other types of reaction, such as the combustion of carbon
monoxide, are characterized by a fast interaction step between a hydroxyl radical (OH - )
and the carbon monoxide molecule (CO). Although the mechanisms of hydrocarbon
combustion are not completely known, man y of the steps involving hydrogen and
oxygen atoms and hydroxyl and organic radicals are sim ilar to those far hydrogen and
carbon monoxide combustion.

In addition to the chemical processes in combustion, physical processes that transfer

mass and energy also occur. In gaseous combustion, far example, the diffusion of
reactants and combustion products depends on their concentrations, pressure and
temperature changes, and diffusion coefficients. Convection, which is also responsible
far the transport of mass and energy, comprises buoyant and external forces, and
turbulent and eddy motions.

Combustion may also emit light energy, mostly in the infrared portian of the spectrum.
The light emitted by a flame arises from the presence of particles in electronically
excited states and from ions, radicals, and electrons .

• An acceleration of a combustion reaction, whether caused by a rise in temperature or

by an increase in the lengths of reaction chains, can lead toan explosion. In the former
23
case a thermal explosion will occur when the rate of heat released by the reaction
exceeds the rate of heat lost from the area. In the latter case a so-called chain explosion •
will occur when the probability of chain branching equals that of chain termination.
When a combustion reaction accelerates progressively so that the flame front area
advances ata supersonic velocity, compression from the shock wave causes an increase
in temperature that results in self-ignition of the fuel. The phenomenon, called
detonation, will not occur when energy loss from the reaction zone exceeds a certain
limit.

PERFECT COMBUSTION

With "perfect" combustion, the reactant burns in oxygen, producing a limited number
of products. When a hydrocarbon (fossil fuel such as methane, propane or natural gas)
burns in oxygen, the reaction will primarily yield carbon dioxide and water.

When elements are burned, the products are primarily the most common oxides.
Carbon will yield carbon dioxide, sulfur will yield sulfur dioxide, and iron will yield
iron(III) oxide. Nitrogen is not considered to be a combustible substance when oxygen
is the oxidant, but small amounts of various nitrogen oxides (commonly designated
NOx species) form when air is the oxidan t.

+
•
+

+
THE COMBUSTION OF METHANE, A HYDROCARBON.

Incomplete combustion will occur when there is not enough oxygen to allow the fuel to
react completely to produce carbon dioxide and water. The quality of combustion can
be improved by the designs of combustion devices, such as burners or by the simple
r eturn of the exhau st gases into the combustion process.

24
•
• INCINERATORS

The incinerators that are used in combustion operations are divided in to classes.

The materials that will be incinerated determine the necessary class of incinerator.

The materials disposed of by incineration are

classified in to various types. The type(s) of waste
being burned determine the classification of
incinerator needed for proper efficient disposal.
Successful incineration starts with an analysis of the
waste materials being destroyed. Analysis of waste
types reveals information important in selecting the
incinerator that most efficiently destroys the waste
materials. The moisture content and average BTU
value of a material have a direct bearing on the choice
of the incinerator. The capabilities of the incinerator
must correspond to the combustion properties of the
waste. Below is a summary of the different kinds of
waste and their classification .

• Types of Wastes from O - 6:

Type O Waste - Trash consisting of highly combustible waste paper, wood, cardboard
cartons and including up to 10% treated papers, plastic or rubber scraps from
commercial and industrial sources. Type O Waste has a heating value of 8,500 Btu per
pound, a moisture content of 10% (by weight) andan ash content of 5% (by weight) .

Type 1 Waste - Rubbish consisting of combustible waste paper, cartons, rags, wood
scraps, combustible floor sweepings from domestic, commercial and industrial sources.
Type 1 Waste is a mixture of 80% (by weight) rubbish and 20% (by weight) garbage. It
has a heating value of 6,500 Btu per pound, a moisture content of 25% (by weight) and
an ash content of 10% (by weight).

Type 2 Waste - Refuse (Municipal Solid Waste) consisting of rubbish and garbage from
residential sources (50% rubbish and 50% garbage). Type 2 Waste has a heating value of
4,300 Btu per pound, a moisture content of 50% (by weight) andan ash content of 7%
(by weight).

Type 3 Waste - Garbage consisting of animal and vegetable food wastes from
restaurants, hotels, markets, institutional, commercial and club sources. Type 3 Waste
• is a mixture of 65% garbage and 35% rubbish. It has a heating value of 2,500 Btu per
pound, a moisture content of 70% (by weight) andan ash content of 5% (by weight).
25
Type 4 Waste - Deceased Human and Animal Waste consisting of 100% animal and
human tissue and 5% incombustible solid s. The principal components are carcasses,
organs, salid organic wastes from h ospitals, laboratories, abattoirs, animal pounds and
similar sources. Type 4 Waste has a heating value of 1,000 Btu per pound, a moisture
content of 85% (by weight) andan ash content of 5% (by weight).
•
Type 5 Waste - Industrial process wastes including gaseous, liquid or semi-liquid
wastes. The composition, h eating value, moisture content and ash content of Type 5
Wastes are variable and must be confirmed by a waste analysis.

Type 6 Waste - Semi-salid and salid combustible wastes which require hearth, retort or
gra te burning equipment. The composition, h eating value, moisture content and ash
content of Type 6 Wastes are variable and must be confirmed by a waste analysis.

The 7 Classes of lncinerators

Based on the Types of Wastes

The chamber volume, burning

rate, and the type of waste they
are capable of incinerating
determine the classification
assigned toan incinerator. There
are seven classes of incinerators.
•
INCINERATOR CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION T YPE OF WASTE
1 2
IA 0,1,2,3
11 2
llA 1 or 2
111 0,1,2
IV 3
V 0,1 ,2, 3
VI 4

•
VI I 5,6

Class VI Incinerators are used exclu sively for the cremation of human remains.
26
• THE ANATOMY OF A MODERN CREMATOR

The modern cremator is a fully contained, modulated multi-chambered unit, which

safely processes up to 150 pounds (68 kg) of human remains or pathological waste per
hour. Each chamber and burner performs a specific function in the cremation process:

Primary Chamber:
This chamber (also called the main chamber or the combustion ch amber) is where
the container with the remains is placed and the main combustion takes place. Air
ports located in the sidewalls supply controlled preheated air to the chamber. Once
ignited, the main burner starts the cremation process. The chamber design allows the
combustion gases to enter the secondary chamber.
Secondary Chamber:
This compartment (also called the afterburner chamber) receives the combustion gases
produced in the primary chamber. As these gases pass through the secondary chamber,
they are combusted again to reduce the possibility of pollution exiting from the hot air
duct.

Settling Chamber:

• As the gases enter the settling chamber, which is typically the second half of the
secondary chamber, they expand and slow down. The combustion process is then
completed and any particulate matter has an opportunity to settle out of the air stream.

Hot Air Duct:

The refractory-lined duct receives the hot exhaust air from the settling chamber. This air
then passes through the duct and exits into the outside atmosphere.

Main Burner:
This burner provides the ignition of the charge by
mixing fuel and oxygen, which starts and maintains
the cremation process. During the cremation cycle,
the burner controls the combustion rate. Modulating
from the minimum-firing mode to the maximum-
firing mode controls the temperature in the primary
chamber.
Following ignition of the charge, this burner will
fire at the maximum rate until the primary chamber
reaches the preset temperature. Then, the burner will automatically modula te to the
low-fire mode. Whenever the temperature falls below the set point on the temperature
controller, the burner will automatically return to the maximum-firing mode.
• Advanced control systems managed by a PLC (a programmable logic controller that
continuously monitors the state of input devices and makes decisions based upan a
27
custom program to control the state of output devices) can also modulate the burner
based on how fast the temperature in the chamber is climbing and react befare the •
actual set-point temperature is reached.

Afterburner:
The burner is operated continuously throughout the cremation cycle until the set-
point temperature is reached. Its function is to maintain optima! temperature in the
secondary chamber, which ensures complete combustion of the gases received from the
primary chamber.

The Charge (Container and Remains):

During the cremation process, heat is released when combustion of the charge takes
place because the container and the remains provide additional fuel. The rate of
combustion is greatest in the first hour of the cremation cycle. It is during this time that
most of the combustible material is cremated.

Stored Refractory Heat:

Heat absorption by the refractory lining increases with each
additional cremation performed during the day. The cremation
burner compensa tes for this heat buildup by going in to a low-
fire mode sooner. However, the combination of retained heat
produced by the burners and the heat released from the ch arge •
may result in an excessive rate of combustion.

It is very important that the correct operating procedure of your

cremator is precisely followed, particularly as it pertains to container type, size of the
remains, and cool-down. This prevents arate of combustion that would result in visible
emissions.

When the temperature in the cremation equipment exceeds the designed level, the
body burns faster and the exhaust gases expand to a greater volume and will overload
the secondary chamber which cannot destroy the pollutants as quickly as they are
being produced.

One of the most important tasks of the cremator in conjunction with the operator is to
control the rate of combustion so that this does not happen.

28
•
 SYSTEM CONTROLS
• c remation in a perfect world would involve the combustion air flow
match ing the fuel flow to give each fuel molecule the exact amount
of oxygen needed to cause complete combustion. However, in the
real world, combustion does not proceed in a perfect manner.

CONTROLLING THE RATE OF COMBUSTION

Unburned fuel (usually CO and H 2) discharged from the system represents a heating
value loss (as well as a safety hazard). Because partially combusted materials are
undesirable emissions, while the presence of unreacted oxygen there presents
minimal safety and environmental concerns, the first principie of combustion
management is to provide more oxygen than is theoretically needed to ensure that
all the fuel burns.

The second principie of combustion management, however, is to not use too

mu ch oxygen. The correct amount of oxygen requires three types of measurement first,
active control of air and fuel flow; second, flue gas oxygen measurement; and third,
measurement of flue gas combustibles. Sorne areas of North America environmental
laws do require the continuous monitoring of the percent of oxygen in the flue gas.

• The continuous monitoring of particulate matter or un-combusted materials is nota

requirement at this time. Beca use of the sophisticated control systems available to
type VI incinerators that monitor, adjust and react to conditions happening in real time
within the cremations chambers, these expensive monitoring devices will not likely
be a part of North American cremation any time in the future. Even with analogue
manual controls cremation equipment is an insignificant source of pollution anda safe,
efficient and effective method of cremating the dead.

BASIC COMPONENTS OF ANY CONTROL SYSTEM -

Temperature Controllers
Temperature controllers are mini-computer modules that control the air and gas flow to
the burners and the chambers based on the temperature within the chamber. These can
be built in to the programming of a PLC system and may react, not only to temperature,
but also to the rate of the rise in the temperature. Most modern unit's temperatures are
controlled in both the main and the secondary chambers independently.

Thermocouple
A temperature probe that sends a continuous temperature value signal to a temperature

•
controller ora PLC .

29
Combustion Air Blower
The blower supplies combustion air to both burners, make-up air to the primary and
secondary chambers, and fresh air during cool down. The blower receives air from the
room and the room must always have access to outside air via a louvered ventor similar.
•
THE 3 'T's
In the quest for perfect combustion in cremation, the most important 3 design variables
in a Type VI incinerator are the 3 'T's and they are found in the secondary chamber
of a cremator. These 3 design elements are absolutely crucial to the process and play
the most significant contribution to the control of combustion. These 3 elements are
TIME, TEMPERATURE & TURBULENCE.

Time -
The first T refers to the time that the products of
combustion produced in the primary chamber stay or reside
within the secondary chamber. This is also called a residence
or retention time. These products of combustion (POC)
are the smoke, flame and odor that are produced during
the primary combustion of the case and are reintroduced •
in to the secondary chamber where they are combusted again, hopefully completely,
resulting in mostly C0 2 and H2 0 gas along with other safe gases. But these products of
combustion need to stay within the secondary chamber long enough for the secondary
combustion to fillly take place. A minimum retention time for a cremator is 1 second.
Most units manufactured today have a minimum retention time of 1.5 seconds. This
first of the three Ts is useless without the other two. All three need to be present for the
proper combustion to take place.

Temperature -
The secondary chamber must have proper the temperature for complete combustion
to take place along with the minimum
retention time. The temperature must be
hot enough to ensure complete combustion
but not so hot as to cause an increase in the
speed or velocity of the flow of the products
of combustion . The hotter the gases the faster
they will travel and if they travel too quickly
they will not stay within the chamber long enough , effectively reducing the retention
time.

30
•
 Ience a so helps to slo ~he velocity of the gases which allows for the their
·an. When the gases expand a~norganic particulate matter (dust particles)
p o~t of the stream and onto the flooI of the secondary chamber. These
~~ill not combustan furt hey cannot be allowed to exit into the

•
Because combustion speed
can vary and at times be far
faster than anticipated it takes
both the 3 Ts and the operator
working together to effectively
control the rate of combustion
in the cremator to avoid visible
emissions, pollution and unsafe
situations .

• 31
OPERATING THE CREMATOR

D ecisions made by the operator will affect the efficiency of the operation of the
cremator even with the most advanced equipment. Maintaining control over the
rate of combustion is a joint task perfarmed by the operator and the unit together.
•
PERFORMING A CREMATION

Steps of the actual cremation process -

1. Pre-operation check list

2. Scrutinize the case
3. Purge cycle
4. Secondary chamber preheat
5. Load the case and start the cremation
6. Cool down
7. Clean Out
8. Process
9. Package

Pre-operation checklist -
• Make sure the chamber is empty and clean.
• Check the chamber far any evident refractory damage.
• Assure there is a cremated remains removal tray in place and that it is empty.
•
Scrutinize the case -
Always scrutinize the exterior of the container far any hardware or ornamentation
that can be removed prior to insertion into the chamber. Metal or plastic handles
or ornamentation can damage the interiors of the unit and plastic, when vaporized,
can produce poison gas and when not fully vaporized can compromise the cremated
remains and make removal difficult.

If allowed by law, open the container and scrutinize the interior and remove anything
that is not combustible. Jewelry, personal items, eye glasses, rubber soled shoes,
etc. cannot be cremated. They could damage the interior of the unit, could produce
toxic emissions and will significantly increase the legal liability present. Check far
surgically implanted battery operated devices (e.g. pacemaker) and if present contact
the managing funeral director far removal. Cases with these devices present cannot be
cremated safely.

32
•
• Purge cycle -
The purge cycle is the first step in the operation of the cremator. Start the cycle
according to the specific make/ model of the unit. The air in the chambers will be
exchanged with fresh outside air using the blower. The cycle is typically programmed
to run approximately 3 minutes and while engaged, far safety reasons, the burners
cannot be ignited. When the purge cycle is complete the process can continue and the
afterburner is released to be ignited.

Preheat the secondary chamber -

Preheating the secondary chamber is necessary to assure the secondary chamber has
the most important of the 3 Ts necessary far complete combustion to take place. When
the body is ignited in the primary chamber it immediately produces the products of
combustion which will flow in to the secondary chamber. If the temperature is not
adequate, full combustion will not occur and visible emissions and pollution will exit
the stack.

Most modern units will lock-out the primary burner until the preheat temperature is
achieved.
Always follow
Load the case and start the cremation -
the operating

•
Load the case according to your specific manufacturer's
instructions and according to the specifics of the case. To assure instructions for
complete airflow do not block the air ports along the side walls. your specific
makeand
Start the primary burner and begin the actual cremation.
model cremator.
Monitor -
An operator must be present at all times during the cremation
process and must monitor the process and react if any issues present t emse ves.

Cool down -
A cool down period should always be allowed between cremations. During the
cremation cycle the refractory lining absorbs heat. Overheating of the refractory
walls, floor, and arch can lead to premature ignition of the charge, or result in arate of
combustion in excess of the cremator's capacity. This could lead to visible emissions
from the hot air duct. Proper cooling of the chamber prevents this from occurring and
prevents premature refractory damage.

The interior temperature of the primary chamber should be no hotter than 700ºF befare
cleaning out the chamber. The temperature of the chamber should be allowed to cool
down to 400ºF befare the next cremation is started .

• 33
Clean out -
When it is safe to do so, open the loading door and engage the door safety feature(s). It
is the operator's responsibility to determine when the cremation is complete. Visually
check the condition of the cremated remains in the primary chamber. Bone-like
fragments (white in color) of varying sizes will be scattered
•
loosely over the length of the floor. Generally, combustion is
complete when flames are no longer present in the chamber;
however, any black mass seen in the torso area may be an CAUTION:
Personal
indication of incomplete combustion. Flecks of black ash may Protective
also appear on the side floor tiles. This is usually residue from Equipment should
the container. Using the cleanout tools supplied with the unit a/ways be worn
carefully remove the cremated remains and sweep them into when cleaning
the cremated remains removal tray. Ensure that all remains the chamber, as
(including any metal pieces that may be present) are removed. radiant heat will
flow through
the open door.
The refractory floor is hot following a cremation. Sweep
carefully to avoid abrading the surface. Small particles may
have adhered to the floor, but do not attempt to remove by
chipping. This may dislodge or loasen floor material. These partic es may 1 a 1 •

material that liquefied during the cremation process.

Process - •
The cremated remains consist of bone fragments of varying size. Reduction of these
fragments is required by law in sorne jurisdictions and is recommended to ensure
uniformity in size for a more acceptable appearance.

Using a magnet remove all ferrous metals from the cremated remains and dispose of or
recycle according to your company policy. Perform a visual inspection and remove any
non-ferrous metals that do not get removed with the magnet by hand.

Process the remains according to the specific make/model of the processor.

Package -
Following the reduction of the cremated remains transfer the cremated remains in to
a sturdy plastic bag and seal the bag regardless of the container to be used. Place the
bag in to a memorial urn or temporary container. Since the volume of the processed
cremated remains cannot be determined beforehand, it is extremely important that the
container be adequately sized to hold all the cremated remains. We recommend that a
memorial urn or temporary container be at least 220 cubic inches.

If the cremated remains do not completely fill the container, use a suitable packaging •
material to prevent shifting of the cremated remains inside the container. Befare
sealing, make sure that the proper identification is kept with the cremated remains.
34
• Identification labels should be placed on the temporary container and the shipping
box.

Note: Do not place any packing inside the plastic bag .

• 35
PROCEDURES FOR VARIOUS CASES
B ecause every body is different the rate of combustion can vary significantly
depending on the size and condition of the body to be cremated. Evaluation
of the case is part of the scrutinization process and crucial for the operator to
make decisions on daily case order and length of time for each cremation.
•
BODY FAT VS. MUSCLE ANO ORGAN TISSUE
Body fat has arate of combustion up to 17 times higher than muscle and organ tissue.
It stands to reason that a body with a higher fat tissue percentage can initially burn up
to 17 times hotter and faster than a lean body of similar height. Along with speed, the
hotter the gases the less dense they are, so they take up more space. Modern cremators
are typically designed to operate perfectly ata combustion rate of lSO lb. per hour.
When materials with a higher rate of combustion are burning, they can overwhelm the
secondary chamber (reduction of retention time and higher temperatures). The result
is the gases do not get the chance to fully combust and visible emissions and pollution
will exit the stack prematurely.

Even with the most modern of equipment the operator must be mindful of what is
going in to the chamber so that any potential issues can be anticipated and the control
system can be manually manipulated when neccesary. •

Standard Case Types

Although types of remains and containers vary with each cremation, typical cases
weigh between 120 and 200 pounds (SS to 90 kg). The case mayor may not be
embalmed. Unless the casket/container type calls for special operating procedures,
these case types can be run in any arder.

Refrigerated ( Frozen) Rema ins

It is recommended that following insertion in to the primary chamber, you wait
several minutes before igniting the main burner. The cold container and remains can
temporarily lower the temperature in the secondary chamber and the main burner
cannot be ignited until the preheat temperature has been reached.

Stillborn and Small lnfants

These case types require special handling and procedures beca use of their small size and
composition. The skeletal structure is made up of cartilage, and unlike developed bones,
is fully combustible. You may find that very little if no cremated remains will be present
at the end of t he process.

36
•
 To maximize the possibility that there are recoverable cremated remains to return to

• the family, stillborn and small infants should be cremated in an infant cremation pan .
This will help prevent the cremated remains from blowing throughout the chamber and
contain them.

The infant cremation pan should be placed to either side rather than in direct line with
the flames. Position the container with remains approximately 18" in from the <loor.
Set the timer between 60 and 75 minutes (or input the appropriate settings into the PLC
contrals) and proceed as in a normal cremation. It is recommended that you open the
door and check the process frequently during the cycle. You may need to reposition or
shorten the timing period.

Sometimes side placement is not effective and the remains are difficult to ignite, or
takes too much time to process. If so, reposition the container in direct line with the
main burner flame but check often so as not to overdo the case.

Obese and Large Cases

Excessive combustible materials (fluid and fatty tissue) in these case types can genera te
intense heat and combust atan extremely rapid rate. During the first hour, an operator
must attend the cremation and closely monitor the temperature.

•
The operator can override the automatic mode by manually manipulating the
operation of the main burner and the air settings. Follow your specific make/model
operator instructions for large cases.

It is the operator's responsibility to determine if a specific cremation qualifies as large

or obese. It is important to nota te the weight of the case but it is justas important to
consider height. A 200 lb. person on a 5'2" frame would have a considerable amount
of fat tissue whereas a 200 lb. person on a 6'4" frame would be very lean and could be
processed as a standard case. When in doubt, treat the case as a large case.

When processing these case types, it is critica} that the guidelines listed below are
carefully followed.

• Always process obese cases first when the cremator is cold.

• Increase total cremation time.
• Always load casket head end first.
• Preheat as in standard procedures.
• Observe the afterburner temperature controller far overheating during the first hour
of the cycle.
• Be prepared to manually shut down the afterburner if the temperature exceeds
2000ºF (1094ºC) and restart when the temperature drops below the set point.
• • Plan on an increased cool-down time prior to removing the cremated remains from
the chamber.
37
Pathological Waste •
The cremator can safely process pathological waste such as organs, limbs, and other
organic material; however, do not exceed the recommended weight. Materials such as
plastic bottles, syringes, etc., must be removed.

Foreign Non-Combustibles
Surgically implanted applicances that contain a battery such as pacemakers and
infusion pumps must be removed from the case before cremation. These implants can
cause damage to the equipment. Sorne materials used in the pacemakers and infusion
pumps may be highly combustible and m ay explode when exposed to flame or heat.

Other Materials
The cremator is designed to combust Type IV Waste. Any other materials may cause
damage to the unit and/or result in unacceptable emission s or excessive heat buildup .

38
•
 CASKET ANO CONTAINER TYPES
• c askets and cremation containers used today are constructed of a wide variety
of materials. Sorne materials are highly combustible and can genera te extreme
heat. Materials such as fiberglass or plastic are highly flammable and are to be
avoided since they can damage the equipment and cause visible emissions.
Please use caution if you are unsure of a container's construction material.

Highly Varnished and Lacquered Wood

Polish and lacquer are highly flammable with a very high rate of combustion. To avoid
premature ignition of the case anda rate of combustion too high for the secondary
chamber to process, always process these cases at the beginning of the day orina fairly
cool ch amber.

Hardwood and Cloth Covered Wood

Preferably, hardwood and cloth covered
caskets should be the first cremation of
the day.

•
Shipping Containers and Air Trays
Shipping containers and air trays may
be run at any time in any sequence.

Cardboard Containers
Cardboard containers may be processed
at any time in any sequence. Use caution if the floor of the chamber is hot. Always use
dowels to hasten the loading.

Pine and Particle Board

Pine and particle board may be processed in any sequence; however, exercise caution
if pin e shows any evidence of sap. Sap and resin in certain particleboard containers are
highly combustible and can genera te high temperatures.

Caskets with Excessive Plastic Materials

Plastics are highly flammable and may result in visible emissions.
Plastics could also contain chlorine and when combusted could
produce poisonous hydrogen chloride gas. Hydrogen chloride forms
corrosive hydrochloric acid on contact with water found in body
tissue. Inhalation of the fumes can cause coughing, choking, inflammation of the nose,
throat, and upper respiratory tract, and in severe cases, pulmonary edema, circulatory
system failure, and death. Skin contact can cause redness, pain, and severe skin burns.
• Hydrogen chloride may cause severe burns to the eye and permanent eye damage. This
39
is nothing a crematory operator wants to cause.

Additionally, plastics will liquefy during the cremation process and then bond to the •
floor during cool down. This could result in serious floor damage. Because of these
problems, as much of this material as possible must be removed before inserting the
casket in to the cremator.

Vinyl Body Bags/Disaster Pouches

Although vinyl is a form of plastic containing chlorine and should not normally be
processed in the cremator, there are times when it may be impractical to remove the
remains from the bag. Occasional use of vinyl body bags should not damage the floor,
but repeated use could result in floor damage. Keep in mind that during the first few
minutes of the cycle sorne visible emissions may escape from the hot air duct. Vinyl
body bags should be processed as the first cremation of the day.

Note: Environment friendly body bags are available from your supplier. These bags are
used just like body bags, but will not damage the cremator.

Metal Caskets
Because it is difficult to process and manage the resulting metal-casket shell these
containers should never be used in cremation.

Fiberglass, Plastic and Styrofoam •

Containers made from these materials should never be processed in the cremator.
When exposed to heat or flame, these materials combust ata very rapid rate causing
excessive temperatures and visible emissions.

40
•
 --- ---- - - - - -- -----

• CREMATORY LAW
hile no manual can capture all the rules, laws, policies, or procedures, this
W is a list of sorne common steps that should be addressed by any crematory
operator anda brief legal rationale surrounding each issue. Whatever your Sta te law,
local rules, or employer requires are ultimately binding and should be followed.

Crematory Authorization and Disposition Form

This is the legal document that controls the cremation procedure. Without a
completely executed document, no cremation should ever take place. The crematory
operator is responsible to ensure that the Form is completely executed and accurate.
If there are any blanks - the cremation should not take place. If there are crossed out
provisions or handwritten comments - they should be approved by all parties or the
cremation should not take place. If any changes are requested outside of the original
document- then the cremation should stop until a new Form is executed or approved
and authorized by all the authorized agents.

Decedent ldentification Verification

Identification is the most critica! step in the cremation process. Without proper
confirmation of identification of the Deceased, not only <loes the risk of a wrongful

•
cremation increase, it also makes it next to impossible to defend any allegation of a
wrongful cremation against an operator. Furthermore, many states have provisions
(and many states are adding provisions) that require proper identification through the
cremation process.
The Identification of the Decedent should not líe completely with the provider.
Rather, the crematory provider should implement procedures to insure identification
verification. Examples of verification procedures would include:
Crematory Authorization Form - Verify that the form shows that the person identified
the Deceased at the funeral home or provider.
Verify that the name of the Deceased match es
the records provided with the Deceased. Also,
your authorization form should include
information that will allow for identification of
the Deceased.
Visual ldentification - There are several
methods of visually identifying the deceased
that include: a minimal viewing of the deceased
to confirm such identifiers as age, sex, and
height; anda visual identification to make sure
that the deceased is wearing an identification
band (such as a wrist or ankle band) that
• matches then name on the paperwork.

41
Crem ation Container- The Cremation Authorization and Disposition form should
include a section that describes the type of cremation container being used for the •
cremation. (The cremation container is the receptacle that the deceased is placed into
for the cremation process). State and Federal law requires that the cremation container
be described to the family and it is also recommended that the cremation container be
identified with at least the first and last name of the deceased written on the top of the
cremation container. Other information, such as date of death, date of birth can be
included; and this identifying information can be used to further insure that the proper
deceased is being crema ted.
The cremation container should also be inspected as to make sure that there are
no additional items inside the cremation container that are not identified in the
Cremation Authorization Form ora Personal Effects Form. Not only can unidentified
items pose the risk of liability, certain items can create the risk of damage to the
operator or the equipment.

Pe rsonal Effects
Any and ali personal effects should be identified within the Cremation Authorization
and Disposition Form and/or a Personal Effects Form. The Operator should make
sure that it is clear which items, if any, are to remain with the Deceased through the
cremation process and which items are to be removed. It is recommended policy
that no items be cremated with the Deceased, and if there are items cremated - then a
policy that only organic material is returned after the cremation, as it can be difficult •
to guarantee that any non-organic material will be found after the cremation process.
The operator should have a policy that only organic material shall be returned from the
cremation process. Any personal effects to be returned to the family should be done
prior to the cremation process or h eld to be returned later.

Artificial Devices
Certain Artificial Devices should be removed prior to the cremation process (including
pacemakers and certain medica! pumps). It is up to the operator to confirm that
the appropriate individual, prior to the cremation process, removes any necessary
artificial devices. Other artificial devices, such as prosthesis, or dental bridgework,
etc., m ay remain with the deceased through the cremation process. The crematory
operator should have a procedure in place for the disposal of any and all artificial
devices and non-organic material. The procedure for such disposal may include
burial in a cemetery; red bag; or recycling. Any procedure should be documented and
communicated.

Witnessing
Many states specifically allow witnessing to be allowed by the family or individuals
involved in the cremation process. The crematory operator should have policies and
procedures in place for the witnessing process. Sorne items to include would be which
process is allowed to be witnessed; where witnesses must be during the process; what •
involvement may witnesses play in the process; and most importantly what paperwork
42
 is required for an individual to sign off in arder to participa te in witnessing a cremation .

• Urn
The urn should be identified in the Cremation Authorization and Disposition Form.
The urn could include a temporary urn; a permanent urn; keepsake urns; jewelry; or any
combination of these. The operator must identify the urn by labeling it on the exterior
in sorne fashion with at least mínimum information such as name of deceased; date of
death; cremation id number, and number of urns (i.e. 1of3). The crematory operator
must also identify the cremated remains inside of the urn. Attaching a la bel to the
exterior of a bag that holds the cremated remains is an acceptable method of labeling/
identifying cremated remains. The label would have all identifying information
regarding the cremation. It is also acceptable to affix the cremation disc to the outside
of the plastic bag containing the cremated remains.

Final Disposition
The crematory operator should confirm that a place for final disposition is listed
on the Cremation Authorization and Disposition Form. Acceptable methods may
include delivery or pick-up by a family member or other listed individual; delivery
to a cemetery; or pick-up by a funeral home. Unacceptable options would include
undecided, orto be determined later. The Crematory Operator should have specific
directions as to when and where the cremated remains are to be returned .

• Receipt
Tracking the deceased is a critica} issue. It is important that upon any acceptance of the
deceased, transfer of the deceased, or the cremated remains, that a receipt be provided
to ensure that the both parties have a record of who has possession and responsibility
of the deceased. Far the crematory operator there should be a receipt provided u pon
receiving the deceased prior to cremation, anda second receipt when delivering the
cremated remains.

Overall
The Crematory operator must use their best judgment on a case by case scenario to not
only assure the proper cremation practices are followed; but also to ensure the dignified
receipt, holding, cremation, processing, and return of the deceased. The Crematory
operator has a legal and moral obligation to abide by the highest standards to ensure
compliance on all levels. As such, the Crematory operator always has the ability to
allow the process; slow down the process; question the process; and ultimately stop the
process until everything meets their approval. Remember that the crematory operator
is in charge andas such is responsible to make sure all items are in compliance .

• 43
 •
CREMATION ANO THE ENVIRONMENT
nowing which pollutants could be emitted from your cremator and how
K your equipment reduces these pollutants is important to understand how
to reduce them further. The process of cremation and the chemical reactions
of sorne of the elements produce emissions and particulate matter that
must be dealt with properly. How well a cremator reduces pollutant output
depends largely on the design, upkeep, and operation of the equipment.
The Chemical Components of Cremated Remains
The human body in its living state is made up of units such as organs, tissues, and
bones. When that body is cremated it is reduced to the elemental components that
make up the units . Below are the chemical components of cremated remains.
In this test, the results provided, with the exception of Phosphate and Sulfate, are
presented as the element. However, in the body these elements are presentas a part
of a variety of organic and inorganic compounds. U pon cremation, most of the
organic compounds are converted to the metal oxide. Depending on the conditions of
cremation, sorne may also be converted to carbonates. The inorganic compounds may
remain as phosphates, sulfates, chlorides, or
carbonates, or may be partially converted to PHOSPHATE 47.5%
oxides. CALCIUM 25.3%

History of US EPA and Crematories

• 1990 Clean Air Act passed by Congress.
Crematories in medical waste category.
• 1993 Crematories are no longer in medica!
SULFATE 11.00%
POTASSIUM 3.69%
SODIUM 1.12%
CHLORIDE 1.00%
SILICA0.9%
•
waste category. Regulation deadline set for
Novem ber 2000. ALUMINUM OXIDE 0.72%
• 1996 EPA forms ICCR committees. CANA MAGNESIUM 0 .418%
representatives involved. IRON OXIDE 0.118%
• 1998 ICCR process is discontinued. ZINC 0.0342%
• 1999 CANA co-sponsors emissions testing TITANIUM OXIDE 0.0260%
at Woodlawn Cemetery. BARIUM 0.0066%
• 2000 EPA decides crematories are low ANTIMONY 0.0035%
priority. Regulation deadline is postponed CHROMIUM 0.0018%
until November 2005 . COPPER 0.0017%
• 2002 Regulation process is starting up MANGANESE 0.0013%
again. EPA intends to meet November 2005
LEAD 0.0008%
deadline.
TIN 0.0005%
• 2005 EPA final determination of NO
VANADIUM 0.0002%
federal regulations planned and none
BERYLLIUM <0.0001%

•
recommended to the states.
MERCURY <0.00001 %

44
 REGULATED POLLUTANTS FROM CREMATORIES

• • Particulate Matter
This can be defined as solid matter, dust, soot, ash, and unburned particles from the
cremation container and remains. Although most of this fine dust is consumed during
afterburning, small amounts travel out the stack in to the atmosphere.

• Visible Emissions
Visible emissions, commonly referred to as smoke, are particulate matter that has
traveled through the cremation equipment and afterburning system without being
completely consumed. Qualified inspectors rate visible emissions on a scale from 0% to
100% based on how much light will pass through.

• Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide is the result of incomplete combustion. The auxiliary fuels used to
quicken the cremation (natural gas, LP gas or oil) as well as the products of combustion
given off during the cremation of the body and container must be completely burned to
avoid significant emissions of carbon monoxide.

Both of these fuel sources, auxiliary fuel and products of combustion must be combined
with a proper amount of oxygen and then subjected to sufficient temperature (1400ºF or

• above) and turbulence to mix them. The end result is carbon dioxide (COZ). If sufficient
amounts of oxygen, temperature, or turbulence are not available, the result is less
carbon dioxide and more carbon monoxide.

• Hydrogen Chloride (HCL)

Hydrogen chloride is a gaseous pollutant produced by cremating plastic containing
chlorine. Typical cremation systems have no ability to reduce the amount of hydrogen
chloride emitted. For every pound of chlorinated plastics introduced into a cremator,
approximately O.SS pound of gaseous hydrogen chloride is emitted in the exhaust.

•Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

These are gaseous pollutants created in the combustion process beca use of the presence
of nitrogen in the air and in the materials being burned. Control of NOx emissions from
crematories is difficult to achieve.

•Sulfur Dioxide (S02)

LP gas, along with the remains and container, contain small amounts of sulfur, which
can be released as sulfur dioxide during combustion. Natural gas contains lower levels
of sulfur than LP gas. Coal burning power plants are major emitters of sulfur dioxide
because of the high sulfur content of the coal.

• • Metals
The metals regulated are cadmium, lead, and mercury. The mercury comes mainly from
45
dental fillings. Cadmium and lead are found in the remains in trace amounts and may
be present in materials included with the container.

• Dioxins and Furans

Dioxins and furans are complex compounds released from many different combustion
sources. They are quite hazardous even in relatively small amounts. It is known that the
•
presence of chlorine in the combustion process is an important factor for dioxin and
furan formation .

• Ambient Dust
Although not regulated by the EPA, ambient dust from the cremation process is also
a concern for the operator. Dust becomes airborne when remains are swept from a
cremation chamber, placed in to a processing unit, and transferred to urns.

CANA TESTING AT WOODLAWN CEMETERY

The following results are from a joint testing effort of CANA and the EPA. The crematory
emissions testing took place fromjune 11throughJune17, 1999 at The Woodlawn
Cemetery, Bronx, New York. The detailed emissions study produced evidence that
crematories are capa ble of low emission without the addition of pollution equipment
and that higher temperatures can increase pollutants.

This testing was part of the process for the EPA to develop regulations for the Clean
Air Act. The CANA environmental team has participated in every step of the process to
insure proper representation of the cremation industry.
•
The fact that EPA considers crematories a low priority would also have meant that
testing funds would not have been available. However, the CANA environmental team
felt that because these regulations could have such a large impact on the cremation
industry it was important that they be based on complete test data. At this point EPA
agreed to a CANA proposal to share the testing costs. This joint effort was made possible
through donations from CANA members, and industry associations.

Testing:
At the Woodlawn Cemetery facility water scrubber devices are installed in the exhaust
ducts to clean the combustion gases. During each test run, sampling of the combustion
gases was conducted both upstream and downstream of the water scrubber device to
determine how effective the device was.
As recommended by the CANA environmental team, testing was conducted under
three different secondary chamber operating temperatures to get a clear picture of how
emissions change with temperature. A series of tests took place at each of the following
temperatures: 1400ºF; 1600ºF; and 1800ºF. Initially, EPA planned to test only at 1600ºF •
and 1800ºF. However, CANA felt it was important to test at 1400ºF and decided to pay
the full cost of the additional testing beca use many older facilities cannot operate at the
46
 higher temperatures .

• Three cremations were performed at each temperature condition. For the results of the
averages of the three cremations for each temperature condition see charts below.

The following are the pollutants for which emission standards are to be established
and for which testing was conducted:

• Visible Emissions
The visible emissions were Flg... 1. Teet A11u. . • Vlillble Elnl 1110....
evaluated every 15 seconds and
rated on a scale from 0% to 100% 12
opacity by a qualified inspector. 10
The opacity readings for each Emi9l6o"8- 8
cremation were then averaged HlgheatS-
8
over the six-minute period Mn Avg. "'
with the highest emissions. Op9clJ 4
Figure 1 shows that visible 2
emissions increased as the o
operating temperature increased. 1400 1eoo 1eoo TW**
deg F deg. F deg. F l.llnl
Comparison is given to a typical

•
state emission limit.

• Particulate Matter:
The results of sampling
show that particulate matter
emissions also increased with
0.5 temperature. Overall, the
0.4 emissions of particulate matter
were very low.
!mluloM- 0.3
Lb.,., Hcu 0.2
The average test results for
particulate matter (shown
0.1 in Figure 2) as well as the
o results for all of the following
1«>0 1900 1800 ~ pollutants, are for the inlet to
ct.g. F d9g. F deg. F the scrubber. A comparison of
the emissions befare and after
the water scrubber showed
that the device had little to no effect on the emissions of any of the pollutants .

• 47
 • Carbon Monoxide:
he levels of carbon monoxide
(Figure 3) were very low for each
•
100
test condition, well below the
80 typical state standard of 100 parts
E.,,.....,.._
p . . . .,., eo er million .
Mllion. 40
~ Oxygen
20
o
1400 1800 1800 • Hydrogen Chloride:
ct.g. F deg. F deg. F
Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is a
gaseous pollutant produced
by the burning of plastics or other material containing chlorine. The HCI emissions
would not be expected to change with temperature. The average HCl emission for all the
conditions was 0.15 pound per hour of operation.
• Metals:
Like HCI, emissions of mercury, cadmium, and lead are not expected to vary with
operating temperature. The metal of concern from crematories is mercury, which
mainly comes from dental fillings. The average mercury emission was 0 .23 gram per
hour of operation.
• Dioxins and Furans:
Dioxins and furans are complex compounds released from many different combustion
•
sources. The presence of chlorine . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .
in the combustion process is an F.... l. Teel A9e 1b • Dloxlll8 end F m

-,.,....
1

important factor for dioxin and

furan formation .
The test results show that the
emissions of dioxins and furans
went upas the temperature 1aD
,
increased. The emissions, (shown 100

in Figure 6) are low compared ••

to other types of incinerators. 40
•
The measurement unit is the
nanogram, which is one-billionth
of agram .
1400
ct.g. F
-F
o ~__,;;;;=;;;_~~-=~~~~;;;;;;;;=-_,

1800

48
•
 • Conclusion:

• The test results show that the emissions of nearly ali the tested pollutants increased
when the operating temperature was raised. This indicates that there is no justification
or benefit for the h igh operating temperatures required in many states and provinces.

The results also demonstrate that crematories are capable of low emissions with out the
use of additional pollution control equipment.

These findings should provide a positive benefit to the cremation industry as the EPA
creates the new regulations.

REDUCING POLLUTANT OUTPUT

Each of the following methods is being utilized at cremator installations in the United
States and Canada, although sorne are notas practica! as oth ers are.

• Scrutinizing Input
One of the best methods of reducing pollutant output is also one of th e easiest:
scrutinizing the materials included with the remains and container for cremation.
Non-chlorinated plastics should be requested whenever possible, so the amount of
hydrogen chloride produced from the cremation can be minimized. It is also important
to cremate the heaviest bodies first and to request from your clients that no unnecessary

• item s be included in the cremation container. These practices minimize the chance
of cremating at a speed that exceeds the capacity of the equipment, which can lead to
visible emissions from the exhaust stack.

• lncreasing Retention Time

Retention time is h ow long the gases produced from cremation are h eld in the
cremation equipment and exposed to proper temperatures (1400ºF - 1800º F) befare
they are allowed to exhaust to the atmosphere. In many installations, retention time is
insufficient to meet current standards. Increasing the afterchamber's volume increases
the likelihood that the exhaust gases will be sufficiently exposed to these temperatures,
thereby reducing th e amount of pollutants exhausted to the atmosphere.

• Maintaining Adequate and Steady Temperatures

Adequate and steady temperature levels are important to maintaining the quality of
exhaust gases. Typically, the desired range of o perating temperatures is from 1400ºF to
1800ºF depending on local environmental requirements. In cremation, temperatures
higher than 1800º F are not necessarily better for pollution control and can, in fact,
create more pollution.

When the temperature in the cremation equipment exceeds the designed leve!, the body burns

• (aster and the exhaust gases expand to a greater volume. This overloads the afterchamber,
which then cannot destroy the pollutants as quickly as they are being produced.

49
Unfortunately, this results in higher emissions of pollutants. Low chamber temperatures
can be justas mucha problem. If temperatures are too low, the pollutants entering •
the afterchamber will not be sufficiently combusted. Low temperatures reduce the
effectiveness of the afterchamber to destroy particulate matter and convert gaseous
pollutants to a less harmful gaseous exhaust. Therefore, proper controls to maintain
adequate and steady temperature levels are important.

• Turbulence
Turbulence is created in the crematory exhaust flow by physical obstacles such as baffles
and perforated walls, which cause the exhaust gases to twist, turn, change directions
and squeeze their way through the passages in the system. This forces the exhaust gases
to mix thoroughly with the oxygen introduced in to the system, while exposing them
to the temperatures maintained in the afterchamber. As with temperature, too much
turbulence can cause other problems. Sorne of these problems are overheating of the
cremation chamber and the puffing of smoke out of the charging door at the en trance
to the cremation chamber.

• Controlling
Controlling usually refers to the ability of a device to measure process variable
(temperature, opacity, CO, 02) compare it to a desired setpoint specified by the
operator, and take action to maintain the setpoint. The device can automatically
perform the action, such as adjusting a valve position, as necessary to alter the
equipment's operation. These devices often display the selected set point as well as the •
actual level of the process variable.

More sophisticated control equipment may also have the ability to record on paper
the action being taken to maintain the process variable, and send this information to
a computer and printer. This equipment may also have the ability to react to the actual
rate at which the temperatures rise. In 'over run' situations th e set-point will be reached
and the case will over run the set temperature. Reacting before the set-point will allow
the case and container to genera te energy and heat without the aid of the burner or
additional oxygen in an attempt to control the rate of combustion.

• Wet Scrubbers
A wet scrubber is an add-on pollution control device attached to the cremator exhaust
stack. It is similar to a large shower with an entrance andan exit. Exhaust gases from the
cremator are ducted into the wet scrubber, where they are subjected to water sprayed
from different directions by severa! nozzles. Water droplets capture the particles or
solids in the exhaust stream. When the droplets fall to the bottom of the scrubber, they
are drained out. Often the scrubber drain water is taken to a settling or re-circulation
tank, where the heaviest particulate matter settles out as sediment. The sediment is

•
disposed of in accordance with local regulations.

Sometimes the water is reused (because of expense) after being PH-treated to reduce
50
 corrosiveness. In other instances, the scrubber water is not reused and is simply drained

• to the sewer. Wet scrubbers are not commonly found on cremation equipment because
their pollution-reducing benefits do not offset their prohibitive cost ($30 1000 to
$60,000).

• Bag Houses
A bag house is another type of add-on pollution control device. It is usually a large
metal box, with an en trance andan exit1 through which the exhaust gases are directed.
Inside the box are filter bags of different sizes. Often these bags have shaker arms
attached; when the bags become dirty, the shaker arms can be rattled and the heavy
particulate matter that collects on the bags will fall out in to a collection hopper at the
bottom of the box. Although bag houses appear to be effective in reducing particulate
output, the exhaust must be substantially cooled (to befare SOOº F) prior to its en trance
in to the bag house. Otherwise, the filter bags become so hot they ignite, which renders
them ineffective and adds to pollutant output. Bag houses have been required in the
United States on only a few occasions; their success has been minimal, at best.

• Ambient Dust Collectors

Ambient dust collectors are devices used to minimize operator exposure to dust. Like
small bag houses, they have an entrance and exit to the collector and interna! filters.
Both stationary and portable models are convenient for use in a typical workplace. Since

•
they are not part of the cremation equipment 1 they are not exposed to high temperature
and can be effective in protecting the operator.

•Equipment Upgrading
Existing crematory installations have usually been exempt from regulations adopted
after they began operation. However, sorne areas have required existing crematory
installations to obtain new permits and upgrade their machinery and operating
conditions to new standards, including:

• Increasing the operating temperature of the cremation equipment.

• lncreasing retention time (time the exhaust gases spend in the pollution control
portian of the equipment).
Lowering the levels of particulate matter and carbon monoxide output from the
crematory exhaust.

These upgrades can be troublesome for older cremation equipment. Increasing the
operating temperature causes the equipment to use more fuel to accomplish the same
cremation, raising the equipment's exterior temperature and significantly increasing
maintenance. Increasing the retention time often requires the addition of more
refractory brick chamber to the existing cremation equipment. Space limitations within

•
the cremator or the building can make this difficult.

51
PERMITS
I t is very important for crematory operators to understand the air pollution permit
that allows them to operate their cremation equipment. Non-compliance with
the permit conditions can result in fines or other enforcement action. Air pollution
permits consist of conditions that specify how the cremator is to be operated
•
and required compliance methods to prove the conditions are being met.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT AIR QUALITY PERMITS

• Who needs to g et an a ir permit?

There are two types of permits: construction permits and operating permits.
Construction permits are required for all new stationary sources and all existing
stationary sources that are adding new emissions units or modifying existing emissions
units. Operating permits are required for all major stationary sources. Sorne local
agencies also require operating permits for minor sources.

• What's in a permit?
Air quality permits are legally binding documents that include enforceable conditions
with which the source owner/operator must comply. Sorne permit conditions are
general to all types of emission units and sorne permit conditions are specific to the
source. Overall, the permit conditions establish limits on the types and amounts of air •
pollution allowed, operating requirements for pollution control devices or pollution
prevention activities, and monitoring and record keeping requirements.

• Who issues the permits?

Usually, the permit is issued by the state, provincial or local air pollution control agency
responsible for the area where the source is located.

• What are the costs involved in obtaining a pe rmit?

The law requires that permitting authorities charge sources annual fees that are
sufficient to cover the permit program costs. Fees are structured so that sources that
emit more air pollution pay more for their permits than sources that emit less.

Fees vary according to the permitting authority's regulations, which range from token
to substantial amounts of money.

In addition to fees charged by permitting authorities, sorne sources may choose to hire
consultants to help them prepare their permit applications and assist them throughout
the permitting process.

• How long does it take to get a permit? •

The amount of time it takes to get a permit varíes according to many factors, including
52
 what type of permit it is, its complexity, who the permitting authority is, how

• controversia! the project is, and whether the permit is appealed after issuance .

• How often do permits need to be renewed?

Title V permits must be renewed every five years. New Source Review permits can
expire if they are not used within a certain amount of time. The expiration time
varies according to local regulations. If EPA issues a permit, sources must commence
construction within 18 months of permit issuance. If construction does not commence
within 18 months, the permit expires. Once construction begins, and if construction
is completed in a reasonable time, the permit lasts indefinitely and does not have to
be renewed. If a state or local air pollution control agency issues the permit, the source
must commence construction within the time frame established by the permitting
authority's regulations, wh ich ranges from 12 to 24 months. As with EPA-issued
permits, once construction begins the permit lasts indefinitely and does not have to
be renewed. Note that in sorne state and local regulations, NSR permits expire when a
Permit to Operate is issued.

• lf laws change, do permits need to be revised?

If laws change and addition al requirements under the Clean Air Act become applicable
to a source with a Title V permit, the permit must be revised. If three or more years
remain prior to the expiration of the Title V permit, the permit must be reopened

•
and revised. If two years or less remain, the changes can be made when the permit is
ren ewed, at the end of its five year term.
In the New Source Review world, permits are "grandfathered and do not need to be
11
1

revised if laws change.

• What's the difference between a Title V operating permit and a New Source
Review permit?
Title V of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments requires all major sources and sorne
minor sources of air pollution to obtain an operating permit. A Title V permit grants a
source permission to operate. The permit includes all air pollution requirements that
apply to the source, including emissions limits and monitoring, record keeping, and
reporting requirements. It also requires that the source report its compliance status with
respect to permit conditions to the permitting authority.

A New Source Review (NSR) permit is a pre-construction permit. An NSR permit

authorizes the construction of new major sources of air pollution or majar
modifications of existing sources. NSR permits require the installation and
maintenance of pollution control devices. Large sources in polluted areas must reduce
pollution or buy credits from another company that has reduced its emissions .

• 53
PERMIT CONDITIONS

The following are examples of common permit conditions:

•
• Minimum Temperature and Retention Time Requirements
Many states and provinces have an established minimum temperature requirement
for the afterchamber. This may require pre-heating the afterchamber to the minimum
temperature befare beginning the cremation. A minimum retention time for the
afterchamber is usually specified also.

• Emission Limits
The most common specified limits are for visible emissions, particulate matter, and
carbon monoxide. The limits for visible emissions may be specified in average opacity
readings overa period of time or for a maximum opacity at any time. The particulate
matter and carbon monoxide limits are usually in concentrations of the amount of
pollutant per cubic foot of flue gas emitted. Sometimes the limit is given as the total
amount of pollutant emitted.

• Maximum Usage
The number of cremations per year, hours per year or total weight of remains per year
maybe limited. •

• Operator Certification
Certification and training of cremator operators is on the increase. Although operator
certification is not uncommon in the more sophisticated incinerator industry,
crematories have been largely exempt from this requirement however, as cremation
grows in popularity this is quickly changing. Severa! states and provinces now require
that cremator operators be trained by an approved manufacturer or qualified training
company using a program that has been pre-approved by the jurisdiction. Sorne areas
allow managers who have completed the training process to train new employees;
however, other areas require all potential operators to be trained by the original training
company. In many states, cremation equipment may not be operated by anyone except
certified operators. The training certificate is needed to show compliance with the
certification requirement.

PERMIT COMPLIANCE
It is necessary to demonstrate compliance with every permit condition. Demonstrating
compliance means proving that the facility is meeting the condition. The permit will
list the required methods of showing compliance.

54
•
• Common compliance methods may include the following:

• Monitoring
Monitoring refers to the measurement of a process variable (temperature, opacity, CO,
02), and its display on a digital (LEO text) or analog (dial with indicating needle) device.
Monitoring is used to show compliance with an emission limit ora process control
requirement. Monitoring can also provide information to the operator for use and
action.

• Recording
Recording generally incorporates monitoring: it measures a process variable and
shows the resulting value on a digital or analog display. In addition, the information
is recorded. Color-coded pensare used if more than one process variable or level is
recorded on the same chart. Two charts often used are a circular chart (a paper disc)
anda strip chart (a roll of paper). More sophisticated devices can be cabled directly
to a computer and printer and the data printed out for review. Recording is necessary
when the environmental authority wants proof of continuous compliance with the
requirement.

• Stack Emissions Testing

•
In certain locations, stack emissions testing is required u pon installation for every
cremator to show compliance with emissions limits. Stack emissions testing is the
process of measuring the actual pollutant output of a cremator under real operating
conditions. This involves laboratory technicians coming to the site and inserting
sampling or suction pro bes in to the stack to withdraw certain amounts of the exhaust
gases during cremator operation . This is accomplished with a vacuum pump that
pulls samples out of the stack, through special cooling coils, and through a fi lter pad.
Particulate or salid matter is picked up on the fil ter pads, where they are weighed with
very sensitive scales to determine the exact amount the cremator is exhausting.
Levels of gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and oxygen are also verified
through stack testing. These gases are generally subjected to special chemicals that
measure their quantities in the overall gas stream of the cremator. Under certain
conditions, highly accurate measurement of the gases is required, and samples are
actually taken in plastic bags to laboratories, where they can be analyzed with more
complex equipment.

•Visible Emissions Testing

Visible emissions testing is sometimes necessary to show compliance with visible
emissions limits. Visible emissions testing requires a certified smoke watcher to make a
visual assessment of the opacity of the smoke coming out of the stack (on a scale of 0%
to 100%) every 15 seconds for an hour. The smoke watcher must regularly be re-certified
• by an approved au thority, usually every six months.

55
Visible emission teseting is often associated with laboratory stack testing.

• Daily Logbook •
In order show compliance with usage limitation, such as limit on the number of
cremations or operating hours, a daily logbook may be required. In instances where
there is a limit on the total weight of remains per year it may be necessary to estima te
the weight orto weigh the body.

56
•
• SAFETY
he safe use of equipment and careful handling of the body are of the
T utmost importance. Consideration should be given to sanitation issues
to prevent the transmission of disease. The following information should be
reviewed and procedures put in place to insure safe working conditions.

EQUIPMENT SAFETY FEATURES

Many redundant safety features are built into all modern cremation equipment
and are automatically controlled to prevent damage to the equipment, to ensure
proper operation, and to prevent operator injury.

They include the following:

1 . Door Safety Device:
lf the attached chains on the hydraulic main chamber door break during the movement
of the door up or down, or if the door is left open at any level, this device prevents the
door from dropping.
2 . Door Safety Pins:
The automatic loading door comes equipped with two safety pins, which, when

•
engaged, prevent the loading door from falling closed and support the weight of the
<loor if left open.
3. Gas Pressure Switch:
Air and gas flow safety switches ensure that air and gas pressures are correct. lf at any
time during the operation a gas pressure change occurs outside the safety pressure range
the burners automatically shut down and the gas flow stops.
4. Blower Failure:
Because without oxygen and plenty of it, the entire system shuts down completely in
the event of a blower failure.
S. Flame Guard System:
The flame safeguard features are always in operation during cremator use. If the gas flow
is prevented or interrupted, the safeguard and flame sensors will automatically control
the burner operations during the following conditions and functions:

• Purge cycle
•Combustion air failure, including too high or too low pressures
• Air blower overload
• High or low gas pressure
•Thermocouple failure
• Excessive chamber temperature
• Absence of flame or flame interruption

• 57
HANDLING THE BODY

OSHA made it very clear that the human remains are potentially infectious prior to,
during, and after the embalming process is complete. This makes it imperative to set up
•
procedures to protect your employees from infection.

The principies of infection control are simple

and complex simultaneously. The underpinnings
of infection control deal with the complex
understanding of bacteriology, virology,
microbiology, and like disciplines. It becomes
simple when the principies are well understood and
developed into a well-formulated plan of action
for protection, cleaning, and disinfection as events
warrant.

Understanding lnfection and Exposures

In arder to have an infection take place, three
ingredients must be present. First, an infectious organism must b e present in the
form of a bacterium, virus, or other agent capable of producing disease. This organism
must have an environment in which to survive and the deceased human remains are a •
viable environment with or without embalming for numerous bacteria and viruses as
not all microorganisms die with the host as many believe. Bacteria, such as E. Coli and
viruses such as Hepatitis B, may exist days to months following death of the individual.

The next ingredient is a su sceptible host . A healthy person with a normally

functioning immune system is far less susceptible to disease than a person who is
predisposed to disease dueto existing conditions such as diabetes, cancer, obesity,
excessive smoking and/or alcohol use, or prior illness to name a few conditions. It is
also possible to be infected with an organism, have no symptoms of the disease, thereby
becoming a carrier and potentially infecting others.

Finally, there must be a method o f transmitting the organism to the new host.
The organism must have a method of gaining entry into your body, such as through
inhalation, ingestion, or by direct contact with blood and body fluids containing
microorganisms.

It is of equal importance to understand what defines an exposure. Generally, this is

described asan event where blood or other bodily fluids have come in to direct contact
with eye, mouth, nasal, or other mucous membranes, breached the skin through sharp
object penetration, or fluids have come into contact with non-intact skin. •

58
 While this appears to be a clear explanation, one has to consider the definition of

• "intact skin." There is a growing body of health care professionals who believe the
concept of intact skin, especially about the hand area, is a fallacy. Their contention is
it is impossible to declare the skin intact when microscopic abrasion are present and
create potential portals of entry in to the body. Such might be the case of paper cuts or
other small yet invisible breaches of the skin. While this may be viewed by sorne asan
extremist or purely theoretical viewpoint, they continue to voice their concern wishing
to error on the side of safety.

Understanding Universal Precautions

The concept of Universal Precautions (UP) has been widely publicized since the
Bloodborne Pathogen Rule (BBP) became law in 1991 and is the foundation of
employee-based infection control. UP is a practica} approach in protecting employees
because of its simple application . All human blood and many body fluids are to be
treated at all times as if they are known to contain infectious agents such as HIV, HB,
and numerous other bloodborne pathogens, which will be listed in another section
of this document. UP, coupled with the use of barrier devices known as Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE), is a safe yet economical method of protection.

The concept of PPE requires the presence of specialized clothing or equipment available
to the employee for use based upan the situation at hand. It allows the trained employee

•
to choose which level of protection is required based on evaluation of potential
occupational exposure.

The uses of t hese concepts are vital to employee protection when handling the deceased
for numerous reasons. Soon after death the human body begins autolytic changes
leading to the state known as decomposition. Decomposition on the cellular level can
begin in as few as two hours following death, which leads to a chain of events which
will eventually involve every cell, tissue, and organ attempting to follow the courses of
nature in returning to the base elements from which we exist. During decomposition,
new chemicals are made as products of bacteria} actions on formerly living tissue. Many
of these chemicals are potentially dangerous to the living, because they are toxic or they
are teaming with disease causing microbes.

Further, it is well documented that microorganisms which are present normally in

the body during life such as intestinal flora, and those organisms which may have
contributed to the death of the individual, may continue to thrive following death in
both aerobic and anaerobic environments. For example the aforementioned E. Coli
are capa ble of reproducing a new generation of bacteria every 20 minutes and find the
deceased a cornucopia of nourishment for multiplication.

THE IMPACT OF EMBALMING ON INFECTION CONTROL

• The embalming process in no way communicates the preservative and disinfection
solutions of aldehyde based chemicals through every artery, arteriole, and capillary of
59
the remains. Therefore, not every cell, tissue, and organ will be effected by the chemical
reaction of the dilutions. Those which have direct contact with the chemistry or the off-
gas reactions of aldehyde release will indeed be effected causing coagulation of proteins,
amino acids, and other changes in the components of the body, thereby producing
varying degrees of bactericidal and virucidal effects within the remains, leading to
disinfection.
•
Understanding disinfection leads to the realization of why the embalmed remains are
potentially infectious. By definition, the process of disinfection is one where there is
a reduction in the number of microorganism present in or about an area to a safe or
acceptable level. It is nota process of total eradication of microorganisms, which defines
sterilization. Only cremation yields a total reduction of microbial activity within the
deceased at present. Consequently, it is true that microorganisms, which elude contact
with the chemicals of choice introduced in to the body during embalming, could be
potentially dangerous if an exposure took place. It cannot be determined by visual
observation the status of fluids present or emanating from the embalmed remains.
Accordingly, the use of UP and PPE remains the best methods of protection at present
when handling the deceased, unembalmed. or embalmed.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
The following are simple suggestions to consideras routine protection devices as you
develop specific training and educational protocols to match your individual daily •
routines and to those instances of the unexpected:

HANDWASHING and GLOVES USE

It is safe to say not one health care professional would argue with the following advise
as the foundation of disease transmission reduction: WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY
AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER EVERY CONTACT WITH THE DECEASED.

Wearing latex gloves DOES NOT elimina te the requirement of hand washing. Latex
gloves are not always 100% impenetrable to microbial movement. If worn long enough
under the right conditions, a percentage of the smallest micro bes can leach through
the gloves and take residen ce topically on your skin. While this may be a shocking
statement at face value, it is realistic and don't panic from its potential ramifications.
It simply says nothing is absolute. Gloves are an excellent protective barrier and
should be worn at all times when having any contact with the deceased, embalmed, or
unembalmed. Further, gloves plus intact skin reduce exposures to zero when you are
working around bodily fluids. Upan completion of the task at hand, take the logical
final step in protecting yourself and those you have contact with by thorough hand
washing.

SANITATION & HOUSEKEEPING

With the advent in recent years of the leak-proof container, body fluid exposures have •
been greatly reduced and are not the concern today it once was. Nevertheless, if you are
60
 faced with a body fluid leak, a mínimum and specific protocol should be followed:

• • Dress appropriately before addressing the spill. Gloves are a mínimum requirement.
Depending on the size and amount of fluid to be removed, protective goggles and boots
are options.

• If you purchase commercial cleaning agents, consider buying hospital-grade

disinfectants, which are EPA, approved and state clearly on the la bel their bactericida!
and virucidal effects.

• Sodium Hypochlorite (household bleach) remains an economical disinfectant for

use in a wide variety of situations. Concentrated bleach of the 5.25% variety should be
diluted to a 1:10 solution and may be applied by spray bottle directly to the spill, then
absorbed appropriately. Bulk hypochlorite should be stored in an opaque container as it
is photo reactive and light exposure will diminish its strength and it is wise to replenish
the dilution monthly to ensure it's strength.

• Rags, towels, or mop heads should be disposed of or properly disinfected immediately

after use. Paper towels and other disposables should be placed in a plastic trash bag
and sealed. The trash bag should then be placed in a redor orange infectious biohazard
bag for removal from the premise. This process is known as "double bagging." (If you

•
have not contacted your refuse company for their removal policy, do so asking them
to send you a written copy to follow and place on file.) Reusable materials, such as a
mop head, should be soaked in disinfectant for the period of time recommended by
the manufacturer, then washed in hot soapy water followed by thorough rinsing in hot
water.

• Any equipment or clothing worn during the clean-up should be properly cleaned or
disposed of as well. Befare removing your gloves, wash with disinfectant soap and warm
water. This will allow you to dispose of them with your normal trash as the washing
renders them decontaminated. Remember, latex gloves are designed to be used once
and thrown away. Thick rubber gloves may be decontaminated and reused until they
show signs of wear orare punctured.

lnfectious Disease
There are severa! contagious diseases that are contracted in the air and through bodily
fluids. In mentioning just three. we need to remind you of how important it is to protect
yourself and your families from contracting diseases from contaminated bodies. Always
be careful to follow preventative measures mentioned here and in OSHA guidelines.

Hepatitis B, AIDS, and TB

Hepatitis Bisan inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus, which causes
• more serious liver infection than Hepatitis A. Infected blood or blood products usually
transmit the virus. The severity of Hepatitis B illness varíes from person to person. lt can
61
exist in a carrier state without producing symptoms. It is slow onset. Avoiding contact
with blood and blood products is the means of prevention. Symptoms include jaundice.
fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, low grade fever, clay colored stools,
itching, dark urine, abnormal taste or pain, abdominal indigestion, and nosebleeds.

AIDS is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the final stage of Human
•
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV attacks the body's immune system leaving the
body vulnerable to a variety of life threatening illnesses. Only blood, semen, female
genital tract secretions, and breast milk have been provento transmit infection to
others. When cremating one might have an open wound and come in contact with the
virus, if bodily fluids commingle. Symptoms include prolonged fatigue, swollen glands,
fever, chills, sweating excessively, night sweats, mouth lesions, swollen gums, yeast
infections, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, constipation, tumors, skin rashes,
weight loss, headache, and general discomfart.

TB (Tuberculosis) is an acute contagious bacteria! infection caused by the

mycobacterium tuberculosis. Usually the lungs are primarily involved, but the infection
can spread to other organs. The infection can occur after inhaling droplets sprayed in
the air. Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, coughing up blood, slight fever, and
night sweats.

Vaccinate your employees -Vaccinations are available far Hepatitis B. The vaccination •
far TB is under dispute concerning its effectiveness. In the event that an employee
comes in contact with bodily fluids of someone that had AIDS have the employee
screened far AIDS periodically far a year.

Prevention can take place with proper work gear, sturdy containers that do not bend,
and cleaning up of leakage. The ICFHA highly recommends when handling human
remains that you wear protective clothing, gloves, glasses, and masks. Always clean
areas where remains have been placed with bleach. We highly recommend daily
cleaning of all areas of the crematory. Proper work gear, back braces, ergonomically
sound office equipment, and lifts are customary OSHA requirements. You should check
with OSHA as to what they expect in this field of work when performing cremations.
If you require remains to be delivered in rigid con tainers that do not bend and are not
leaking, this will assist in the prevention of contagious diseases. Body Fluid contact can
result in contracting AIDS and Hepatitis B, and air transmission from air expelled from a
decedent with TB, can result in contracting TB.

DO NOT ACCEPT REMAINS THAT ARE NOT IN RIGID CONTAINERS.

62
•
 MAINTENANCE
• Tº keep the cremator operating safely and efficiently and to
maintain its attractive appearance, please follow the recommended
maintenance and service schedule outlined in this section.

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
The frequency of the service listed below is based on
processing three cremations a day. If use of a specified area is When )erv icing or
greater or less than this, please make adjustments accordingly. perforrning rnaintenance
on the crerna tor, you
mu)t turn off the electrical
Area to be Serviced Fre uenc
power )Witch al the fu)e
Main Chamber Floor Every 3 months di)connect ':>Witch or circuit
Secondar Chamber Every 3 months breaker and lock it in the
"Off" pmition. Turn off the
To and Rear Service Compartments Ever 6 months manual f uel val ve located in
the fuel ':>upply line running
1 . Main chamber floor: to the crernator.
Every three months inspect for any plastic material that may

• have adhered to the floor. In addition, check for refractory

debris that may have accumulated in the expansion joints,
sidewalls, or the rear of the chamber. To remove material that
has adhered to the surface of the floor tiles, use a grinding wheel. Do not attempt to
chip away the material. It may damage the floor. Clean the expansion joints with a shop
vacuum and/or a small whiskbroom.

2 . Secondary chamber:
During the cremation process, small particles will settle on the floor of the secondary
chamber. Over time, the outer surface of the refractory walls, roof, and hot air duct
will flake and fall to the floor. If allowed to build up, these particles and refractory
debris will restrict airflow through the secondary chamber causing excessive heat. This
may lead to refractory damage, hot spots on externa! surfaces of the cremator and/or
visible emissions. It is critical that this area be cleaned every 300 cremations or yearly,
whichever comes first.

Note: Please be advised that containers such as lacquered hardwoods and particle board
may con tribute to a more rapid buildup requiring more frequent clean out.

To inspect and clean out the secondary chamber, open the side clean out access door
• according to your specific make/model operator instructions.

63
Sorne older units do not have an access door. If it is permissible by law and company
policy, raise the door and install door safety pins in the doorpost slots. Shut off the •
electrical power. Enter the main chamber and peer over the rear curtain wall to check
for debris on the floor below the afterburner. All debris should be carefully swept under
the separating wall in to the secondary chamber. Remove debris with a hoe type tool
and/or shop vacuum through the secondary chamber clean out opening.

CAUTION: Do not chip or attempt to remove debris that has adhered to the floor since it
may break or dislodge refractory bricks.

3. Top and rear service compartments:

Every six months remove the back beauty panel and top safety guard. Clear the air and
gas piping system with a dry cloth anda shop vacuum. To clean the rear compartment,
remove the back sheet and clean the air and air piping system in the same manner. A
buildup of dust could damage motors and other components.

ANNUAL INSPECTION MAINTENANCE

Yearly or every 300 cremations, the areas, components and systems listed in this
section should be inspected.

Loading door seal: •

Inspect for wear by raising the door to the full open position. If flat, knead with fingers
to return seal to rope shape. Replace if insulation shows through outside cover.

Door limit switch:

Check to ensure the switch is functioning properly by raising the door approximately
12" while the main burner is operating. The main burner should shut off when the door
is raised. You must then manually restart the main burner after the door is closed. If the
burner fails to shut off when the door is raised, the limit switch on top of the unit may
not be properly aligned with the plate mounted on the hydraulic cylinder sprocket.
Raise and lower the door to check the alignment and adjust accordingly or call your
service provider immediately for repair advice.

Refractory lnspection and Maintenance:

The interna! chambers of the cremator are lined with a variety of high temperature,
heavy-duty refractory materials such as ceramic fiber modules and castable shapes.
The actual hours of operation or number of cremations processed prior to the repair or
replacement varíes with each individual cremator and is dependent u pon performing
regular maintenance and following the correct operating procedures.

With continued use, the surface of the refractory materials will flake or shed. This is a
normal wear condition called "spalling." Spalling can begin after only a few cremations
and continue over the life of the refractory. Typically up to 1/2 of the original thickness
64
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 of the refract ory can wear befare repair or replacement becomes necessary.

• Factors that contribute to the refractory deterioration are:

Thermal shock:
Thermal shock is the result of rapid increase or decrease in chamber temperature during
preheating, cremation, and/or cool down. Stress cracks may develop in the refractory
material and excessive spalling could occur. To reduce the effect of thermal shock,
always fallow the proper operating procedures.

Abras ion:
Along with thermal shock, a majar factor in refractory damage is floor wear. Abrasion
can result from the sweeping and scraping of the cremated remains during clean out
when the floor is hot and soft. Always allow sufficient cool down between cremations
and befare cleaning to reduce the effects of abrasion.

The refractory areas listed below should be thoroughly inspected yearly or every
300 cremations to ensure that wear is not beyond safe limits.

Main Chamber:
Inspect the front door arch, lower walls, and rear curtain wall for excessive spalling,

•
stress cracks, and missing or loase refractory. Inspect interior walls and roof far loss or
torn modules. Stress cracks up to 1/8" are normal in refractory, but larger gaps require
filling. Check with a technician for instructions and materials needed for repair.

Secondary Chamber:
Inspect the right side of the wall, rear wall, as well as the refractory surrounding the
afterburner (throat area) for excessive wear. This is a high heat area, and if refractory is
allowed to wear beyond safe limits, heat can transfer to the external surfaces and create
hot spots.

Secondary Chamber ( settling chamber side) :

Access to this chamber is through the secondary chamber clean out door opening
located on the side of the unit. Use a lon g handled mirror to visually inspect walls far
wear. Generally, wear in the afterburner chamber is a good indication of the refractory
wear in this chamber.

Main Chamber Floor:

As the floor wears hairline cracks and pitting can occur. This is normal if minimal.
Most floors will last up to 1,000 cremations or more depending on the materials used.

Exterior Care and Cleaning :

• The exterior of the cremator can be easily maintained. The surfaces can be cleaned with
soap and water. The painted surfaces can be polished with an automotive type product.
65
Painted surfaces:
These su rfaces can be clean ed with a damp cloth or sponge and polished with a non- •
abrasive car wax.

Note: Do not use a petroleum-based solvent or cleaning fluid on painted surfaces.

Chrome surfaces and rollers:

Clean with an automot ive type of chrom e cleaner an d polish.

Stainless steel surfaces:

The stainless steel surfaces and panels can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

66
•
 ETHICS
• Ethics are the moral principies that govern a person's or group's behavior.
Schools of ethics in Western philosophy can be divided, very roughly, in to three sorts.
The first, drawing on the work of Aristotle, holds that the virtues (such as justice,
charity, and generosity) are dispositions to act in ways that benefit both the person
possessing them and that person's society.

The second, defended particularly by Kant, makes the concept of duty central to
morality: humans are bound, from a knowledge of their duty as rational beings, to o bey
the categorical imperative to respect other rational beings.

Thirdly, utilitarianism asserts that the guiding principle of conduct should be the
greatest happiness or benefit of the greatest
number.

CODE OF ETHICS
Members of the ICCFA recognize that we have
special obligations to the families and public we

• serve. As "Guardians of a Nation's Heritage," we

pledge:

• Tocare for the remains of those entrusted

to us with dignity, respect and professional
skill, whether ata funeral home, crematory or
cemetery.
• To honor the wishes of the deceased and their
family and to serve all families with respect,
understanding and confidentiality.
• To administer and safeguard all advance planning and permanent maintenance
funds for their lawful and intended purpose.
• To protect and preserve all interment sites and relevant historical data entrusted to
us.
• To be guided by the spirit and letter of all applicable laws and regulations set by
governing bodies with jurisdiction over our activities in the ownership, management
and operation of a funeral home, crematory, cemetery or related endeavor.

In addition to the Obligations and Ethical Standards, ICCFA also recommends the
following for the ethical handling of human remains for cremation. It is through the
proper handling of human remains that an operator, or any cremation provider, can
• maintain the highest ethical standards.

67
 RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING DEAD HUMAN
BODIES FOR CREMATION BY MORTUARIES, CEMETERIES ANO •
CREMATORIES
Endorsed by the Intemational Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association and
the Cremation Association ofNorth America

PREFACE: PURPOSE FOR PROCEDURES

There are many con siderations that m ust be taken in to account when a Mortuary,
Cemetery or Crematory is entrusted with th e disposition of Human Remains.
Identification of the deceased, holding the remains for cremation process, and
processing, packing and disposition of the cremated remains are items of concern n ot
only to the Mortuary, Cemetery and Crematory, but also to the consuming public. High
standards must be employed during all phases of the Cremation Process.

Therefore, uniform procedures have been developed in order to maintain the

professionalism and public trust expected from those involved in this vital service. lt is
the objective of the following procedures to ensure that all procedures reflect those high
standards and serve as a guide for those professionals charged with the sacred trust of
the disposition of th e human dead by cremation within the realm of law and dignity.

•
SECTION 1. TERMINOLOGY (DEFINITIONS)

1.1 Authorizing Agent(s) - The person(s) legally entitled to order the cremation of
the Human Remain s.
1.2 Cremated Remains - The remaining bone fragments after the Cremation Process
is completed.
1.3 Cremation - The technical heating process that reduces Human Remains to bone
fragmen ts. This reduction takes place through combustion and evaporation.
1.4 Cremation Chamber - The enclosed space within which the cremation process
takes place. Cremation chambers covered by these procedures shall be used exclusively
for the cremation of human remains.
1.5 Cremation Container - The case in which the Human Remains should be
delivered to the Crematory to be placed in the Cremation Chamber for Cremation.
The Cremation Container should meet the following standards.
l. Be composed of a suitable combustible material;
2. Be rigid enough for han dling with ease;
3. Assure protection to the health and safety of th e operator;
4. Provide proper covering for the Human Remains;
S. Meet moral codes for respect and dignity.
1.6 Crematory Authority - The legal entity or the authorized representative of the
legal entity who conducts the Cremation.
1. 7 Crematory or Crematorium- The building that houses the Cremation
Chamber.
1.8 Holding Facility - An area designated for the retention of Human Remains prior
68
•
 to Cremation with the Crematory facilities that shall:

• l. Comply with any applicable public health laws;

2. Preserve the dignity of the Human Remains;
3. Recognize the personal integrity and health of the personnel operating the
Cremation Chamber.
1.9 Human Remains- The dead human body prior to Cremation.
1.10 Processed Remains - The end result of pulverization, where the residual from the
Cremation Process is cleaned leaving only bone fragments reduced to unidentifiable
dimensions.
1.11 Sealable Container - Any container in which Processed Remains can be placed
and sealed so as to prevent leakage of Processed Remains or the en trance of foreign
materials.

SECTION 2 . REMOVAL ANO IDENTIFICATION OF HUMAN REMAINS

2.1 Immediately u pon taking custody of Human Remains, a Crematory Authority shall
verify that the Human Remains bear a means of identification attached thereto. A
Crematory Aut hority shall not accept unidentified Human Remains.
2.2 Materials identifying the Human Remains placed in the custody of the Crematory
Authority should contain the following information:
l. Name of deceased;

•
2. Date and time of death;
3. Place of death;
4. Name and relationship of Authorizing Agent;
5. Na me of Authorizing Agent or firm engaging Crematory services.
2.3 If the Crematory Authority takes custody subsequent to the Human Remains being
placed within a Cremation Container, the Crematory Authority shall satisfy itself that
identification has been made as described in Section 2.2 and thereafter shall place a
similar appropriate identification u pon the exterior of the Cremation Container.

SECTION 3 . HOLDING HUMAN REMAINS FOR CREMATION

3.1 When the Crematory Authority is unable to cremate the Human Remains
immediately u pon taking custody thereof, the Crematory Authority shall provide a
Holding Facility as defined in Sectionl.8.
3.2 A Crematory Authority shall not hold the Human Remains for Cremation unless it
is contained within an individual, rigid and closed Cremation Container as defined in
Section 1.5.
3.3 A Crematory Authority shall not accept for holding a Cremation Container from
which there is any evidence of leakage of the body fluids from the Human Remains
therein.
3.4 Human Remains that are not embalmed shall be held only within a refrigerated
facility or in compliance with applicable public health regulations .
• 3.5 Holding Facilities shall be secure from access by anyone other than Crematory
Authority personnel.
69
SECTION 4 . CREMATION OF HUMAN REMAINS
4.1 The unauthorized simultaneous Cremation of more than one Human Remains
within the same Cremation Chamber is specifically forbidden.
4.2 Immediately prior to being placed within the Cremation Chamber, the
identification of the Human Remains sh all be verified by the Crematory Authority and
•
the identification from t he outside of the Cremation Container shall be removed and
placed near the Cremation Chamber control panel wh ere it shall remain in place until
the Cremation Process is complete.
4.3 A Crematory Authority should not simultaneously Cremate more than one Human
Remains within the same Cremation Chamber.

SECTION 5 . PROCESSING OF CREMATED REMAINS

5.1 Upon completion of the Cremation, insofar as is possible, all residual of th e
Crem ation process sh all be removed from the Cremation Chamber and the chamber
swept clean . The residual shall be placed within a container or tray that will ensure
against co-mingling with other Cremated Remains; and the identification removed
from the control panel area and attached to the container or tray to await final
processing.
5.2 The Authorization to Cremate should explain that Cremation reduces the Human
Remains to recognizable bone fragments . These bone fragments and the residue of the
Cremation are placed in a sealable container for:
l. Interment or in urnment may require sorne furt h er processing if not legally required. •
2. When scattering the remains they should be further processed to an unrecognizable
condition.
Ali additional residual from the cremation should be processed toan unidentifiable
dimension before disposal.
5.3 All body prosthesis, bridgework or similar items removed from the Cremated
Remains, shall be disposed of by the Crematory Authority unless authority to do
otherwise is specially granted in writing. Authorization to dispose of prosthesis should
be included in the cremated authorization by the Authorizing Agent.

SECTION 6. PACKAGING OF CREMATED REMAINS

6.1 The entire Processed Remains shall be placed in a Sealable Container as defined in
Section 1.11. The Sealable Container contents shall not be contaminated with any other
object unless specific authorization has been received from the Authorizing Agent.
6.2 The Sealable Container together wit h the identification of the Cremated Remains
shall be placed either wit hin a temporary container or the designated receptacle ordered
by t he Authorizing Agent. Should the Cremated Remains within the Sealable Container
not adequately fill the container's interior dimensions, the extra space may be filled
with shredded paper or clean absorbent cotton and the lid or top then securely closed.
6.3 If the entire Processed Remains will n ot fit within the dimensions of the designated
receptacle, the remainder shall be returned either in a separa te container, or upan •
written permission of the Authorizing Agent, be disposed of according to the
70
 established procedures of the Crematory Authority.

• 6.4 When a temporary container is used to return the Processed Remains, it is

recommended that the container be placed within a corrugated box and all box seams
taped closed to increase the security and integrity of that container. The outside of
the container shall be clearly identified with the name of the deceased person whose
Processed Remains are contained therein.

SECTION 7 . DISPOSITION OF CREMATED REMAINS

7.1 A Crematory Authority shall keep an accurate record of all cremations performed,
including disposition, for a period of not less than five (5) consecutive years.
7.2 Any legal forms of Cremation Authorization shall contain wording that will hold
harmless a Crematory Authority from the disposition of unclaimed Cremated Remains
after a stated period of time.
7.3 With written permission from the Authorizing Agent, a Crematory may dispose of
Cremated Remains in any legal manner.

• 71
 •
RESOURCES
W eproviding
gratefully list the following resources that were instrumental in
the information used to produce this manual.

Cremation Association of North America

Crematory Manufacturing & Service, lnc.

lnternational Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association

Poul Lemasters, Esq., Lemasters Consulting, Cincinnati, OH

lllinois Crematory Operator Certification Program, ICFHA.

•
Model Cremation Law, IFDA and CANA

Annual CANA Statistics Report Presented at the 96th Annual CANA Convention in
Minneapolis, MN, in August 2014

Robert Fulton, "Cremation," World Book Online Americas Edition,

http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/ar? /na/ar/co/arl 40160.htm, April 4,
2003.

FAMIC Study 201 O

72
•
 APPENDICES
e The following pages contain specific forms or information developed by ese
or reeFA and will serve as appendices to this eertification Manual.

• 73