While serving clients in the death care profession, we transfer the cremated human remains into the urn/keepsake purchased from the firm or the receptacle provided. Unfortunately, sometimes this transfer happens at an employee’s desk, in the lounge, embalming room or dressing room.
It is of utmost importance to make the transfer with dignity and respect while attempting to retain all of the cremated human remains during the transfer. And there are procedures to assist in the transfer of cremated human remains from a temporary container to an urn/keepsake:
• When transferring, use a flexible cutting board under the urn/keepsake to collect any cremated human remains that did not make it into the opening of the container. The flexible cutting board can be folded to allow any spilled cremated human remains to be placed into the urn/keepsake. Often when transferring on a desk or counter top, staff tend to wipe up the spilled cremated human remains and dispose of the residue. Remember, no matter how small of a particle, it is part of someone’s body.
• Funnels of different sizes are a critical tool when transferring cremated human remains into small openings of some urns/keepsakes. The plastic funnels can be modified by trimming some of the tube on the discharge end. It’s always good to use a spoon to fill the funnel and not pour directly from a temporary container.
• Another item that firms should have when filling keepsakes are baby bottle liners. They will fit inside the keepsake and can be closed with a plastic cable tie. Placing the cremated human remains in the baby bottle liner reduces the chance the keepsake is opened and the contents spill out and become unrecoverable.
• Firms should also have a supply of the heavy Mil bags that crematories use to place cremated human remains in temporary containers. Many times when transferring cremated human remains, a new bag must be used if the urn did not come with one or the receptacle that was provided by the family needs one. Reminder: Whatever you do, do not place cremated human remains in a used plastic bag from your grocery store.
• Many urns/keepsakes do not have a secure top! In these cases the top must be attached, ensuring it does not fall off. Before securing the top, make sure to verify with the person in charge that it is ok to secure it. Two products that work well to seal tops are silicone in a resealable tube and hot glue guns.
• Plastic cable ties in different sizes are also important items to include in an inventory of transfer equipment. When sealing the plastic bag, depending on the container, small plastic cable ties may be needed when filling a keepsake.
• Labeling is another critical issue when placing cremated human remains in urns/keepsakes. Make sure the container displays some form of identification that will not fall off when moved or handled. Also, in cases of more than one container they should also be labeled 1 of 2 and 2 of 2. This helps ensure all the containers are accountable.
Whenever 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.