All human remains should be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of what form of disposition is selected. But the reality is that many death care professionals don’t give the same consistent care when direct cremation is requested.
When direct cremation is requested, the care given should be no different than that for human remains being embalmed and buried in a solid cherry casket. Establishing minimum standards to handle human remains that are going to direct cremation ensures the same standard of care is maintained.
For example, even when direct cremation is requested the deceased should be washed and the features set as soon as possible, and men should be shaven if needed. The hands should be positioned to clasp together. And the funeral director should inform the family that such procedures will take place, asking about shaving if questionable.
The deceased should also be dressed. Request clothing from the family; this could be as simple as pajamas, but it gives dignity to the deceased. The human remains should never be left in a cloth or plastic sheet as they arrived. And if the authorizing agent does not bring clothes, the deceased should at least be dressed in a hospital gown.
Additionally, an identification viewing should be required at the funeral home in the container selected. This protects both the firm and the family, ensuring that the correct person is being cremated as well as allows the authorizing agent to verify that the selected container or casket is used. The viewing should happen in a room that offers privacy and dignity – not in a garage or embalming room.
The ICCFA Cremation Guidelines (http://www.iccfa.com/cremation/tools/iccfa-cremation-guidelines) offer an example of industry standards and are an excellent resource.
The bottom-line is to question how you would want your spouse, parent or child treated if they were to be directly cremated. And if the same level of care isn’t given as that of an embalming with an expensive casket, then standards should be upgraded. Establishing these standards ensures dignity and respect but also allows a firm to stand out above others in the market and create a distinct difference for customers.
When I write an article on cremation, I attempt to upgrade the cremation procedures that many of the death care providers are currently following. These procedures may take more time or may add cost to your firm. If they do, you may want to research what you are charging and adjust to reflect the dignity and respect that everyone needs to have when dealing with the consumers that chose cremation.