This is certain: once cremation begins it is irreversible. And if you lose or relinquish cremated human remains to the wrong person, there is no place to purchase more.

  To prevent this error every firm must determine the level of risk involved at each process of cremation, from the first call until the cremated human remains are returned to the authorizing agent. After the risks are examined, they may be decreased by changes in procedures that protect the firm, staff and consumers served.

  Examining a few key areas is a good starting point for evaluating risk:

  Visual identification is required for all cremation. When visual identification cannot be completed because of the condition of the human remains, enough information must be gathered to complete identification by other means. Bottom line: It’s critical to complete identification before the human remains are taken to the crematory.

  Steps must always be taken to ensure the remains are the correct person. If human remains that are supposed to have a traditional funeral with a burial are accidentally cremated, there is no putting the cremated human remains back together again.

  Second, crematories should verify the correct human remains were delivered and all paperwork is completed. Once the cremation process begins the only identification of the human remains is the pre-numbered stainless steel disk. This number should be on all the paperwork, labels, records, etc., and verified during each process until the cremated human remains are returned to a funeral home or authorizing agent.

  At the crematory, the paperwork should follow the case until the cremated human remains are placed in a temporary container or urn. Both the temporary container and urn should have identification labeling on all levels of packaging.

  At both the funeral home and crematory, the cremated human remains must be documented in a log book detailing by whom and when they were placed in a locked and secured storage area. When they are released the log book should reflect to whom and when they were released, as well as who released the cremated human remains.

  If cremated human remains are released to the wrong person and that person disposes of them, there is likely great trouble for all concerned. This is why it is critical at the time of arrangements to find out from the authorizing agent(s) what is to be done with the cremated human remains, and if they are to be released to an individual(s) they must be documented on the authorization at that time. Before the firm releases cremated human remains an employee must check if that person is listed as an authorized agent to receive them, and verify and copy their identification and keep a copy with the case paperwork.

  Again, the biggest risk with cremation is that cremated human remains are irreplaceable. If they are lost or released to the wrong person and disposed of, they can never be replaced.

  Lastly, every firm should establish and periodically review cremation policies and procedures. In fact, most death care businesses that deal with cremation do not have written policies and procedures. Most of these businesses are simply doing what they have done for years without realizing the amount of risk involved when a consumer requests cremation.

  Every firm should establish and review current procedures and attempt to lower the possibility of loss. In today’s business the minimum standards do not offer adequate protection when dealing with cremation.

  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 when dealing with the consumers that chose cremation.