In the United States, approximately two-thirds of burials involve cremation as opposed to traditional in-ground burial. The percentage of cremations is even higher in Canada. This upward trend is continuing year by year. Several problem areas to look at are:
1. Statutory Authority
The legally authorized person is the highest-priority individual under state law with the right to control the body’s final disposition (cremation). This person signs the cremation authorization form to verify identity, legal authority, consent and distribution of cremated remains.
This is not simply the person who is present or volunteers. State law establishes the order of priority of individuals who can authorize cremation or any final disposition.
- The decedent (if written instructions or a pre-need cremation plan exists).
- The designated military representative (when applicable).
- The surviving spouse.
- Adult children (a majority if there is more than one). So, if there are three adult children only two need to agree.
- The parents.
- Adult siblings (a majority if there is more than one).
- Adult grandchildren.
- The grandparents.
- The nearest next of kin.
- If none of the above is available: a healthcare surrogate, guardian, attorney-in-fact, or, in certain cases, a close friend.
Since cremation is irreversible, it is very important that the person with the highest priority signs the authorization.
2. Lost Jewelry and Family Heirlooms
Funeral homes and cremation centers handle jewelry and heirlooms through documented personal-effects or more commonly known as chain of custody process. When the funeral provider takes possession of body, all personal items belonging to or on the body are documented and listed on personal effects form.
The funeral home will not verify the value of the item. Example is that a gold wedding band will be listed as yellow metal and a diamond will be listed as clear stone.
Written instructions should include whether jewelry returned, used for viewing then returned or buried with deceased or remain for cremation. Jewelry should be identified before cremation, because items left with the body may be damaged beyond recognition or unrecoverable.
3. Delayed Cremation
Some states require cremation providers to document an agreed timeframe, while others do not require a specific estimated date. In Florida, the cremation authorization form specifies the agreed time, and cremation must occur within 48 hours after that time.
4. Cremation Mix-Ups; Wrong Urn
Cremation providers use identification tags, authorization documents and chain of custody procedures to prevent errors. In most states, proper identification (cremation disks and labels) is placed in the container or urn housing the cremated remains.
5. Empty Urn
Families should request when receiving the urn after the cremation process to be open to check to make sure they are receiving the right person.
6. Mislabeling
If you notice there is a mislabeling of urn, certificate of cremation, do not accept a corrected label or certificate of cremation without an explanation confirming whether the error was clerical or if the identity of remains is uncertain.
Keep the urn, certificate, packaging, identification tags and receipts and photographs if taken.
7. Delivery of Too Much or Too Little Ashes
The amount of cremated remains varies from person to person and depends mainly on skeletal size and bone density. Cremated remains consist primarily of processed bone fragments rather than the soft ash produced by a fireplace or stove.
An adult’s remains often weigh about 5 pounds and occupy approximately 180–220 cubic inches. The cremation method also affects the amount and texture; alkaline hydrolysis, sometimes called water cremation, generally produces more remains than flame cremation.
After cremation, the bone fragments are collected from the cremation chamber and processed into a more uniform consistency. Processing may change their volume and texture, but it does not significantly change their weight.
Expected amounts: An adult’s cremated remains typically weigh about 4–6 pounds and occupy approximately 180–220 cubic inches, which generally fits a standard adult urn. Amounts outside this range may still be normal because skeletal size and bone density vary.
8. Incomplete Cremation
Cremation reduces the body to bone fragments rather than eliminating all bones. After cooling, these fragments are mechanically processed into the granular material commonly called ashes.
Visible bone fragments may indicate incomplete processing, not incomplete cremation. Organic material such as hair, fabric, or soft tissue, as well as moist, strongly odorous, dark, or charred material, may warrant further investigation.
Because alkaline hydrolysis, or water cremation, produces remains with different characteristics, concerns should be evaluated considering the method used.
9. Identifying Cremations When They Are Questioned
Key Identification Records
Three records are central to verifying cremated remains: the death certificate, the cremation identification disk, and the certificate of cremation.
The death certificate should identify cremation as the method of disposition and name the crematory that performed it.
The numbered identification disk attached to the bag of cremated remains should match the crematory log, which records the identity of the decedent and when the cremation occurred.
The certificate of cremation should provide corresponding results.
Forensic Testing
DNA identification is often difficult because the retort’s temperatures—approximately 2,000 degrees—leave little usable biological material.
However, a forensic pathologist may be able to determine whether the material is human bone or a nonhuman substance, such as cement.
10. Chain of Custody
Chain of custody is the documented process that protects your loved one’s identity and belongings from the time the funeral home assumes responsibility until the cremated remains are released to the authorized person.
It records every transfer, identity check, storage location, cremation step, and final release. This process helps prevent misidentification, lost property, unauthorized cremation, and release of remains to the wrong person.
If the identity of the remains is questioned, the family may request:
- Transfer records
- Identification logs
- The cremation authorization
- The crematory log
- The identification-disk number
- The certificate of cremation
- The release receipt
If the cremated remains are completely lost, the family should request all records documenting the funeral home’s chain of custody.