NFDA Cremation 5 Flashcards
- Two separate containers- inner and outer box
- Each container must be strong, durable, and siftproof.
- USPS recomments but does not require mailer to place the inner siftproof container in a sealed plastic bag.
- Proper padding should be used
- USPS recommends lining shipping box with plastic to prevent leakage
Domestic Shipping
- Certified copy of a death certificate
- Burial transit permit
- letter on the funeral home’s letterhead stating that only the cremated remains of the identified individual are in the container being shipped
Required Documents -Domestic Shipping
Domestic shipments of cremated remains must utilize this.
Priority Mail Express Service
- USPS requires identifying contents on the address side next to the shipping label
- Recommended to always select signature upon delivery to eastablish an extra level of security
Developed to clearly identify cremated remains in the mail stream, where they are not currently identifiable.
- When they cannot be located, causes negative customer experiencess and unfavorable publicity for USPA, as well as for the funeral home and crematory.
- USPS sales and service associate apply label when the mailer discloses the package contains cremated remains or can be located in USPS postal store
USPS Label 139
- When cremated remains are not otherwise prohibited by the destination country. (check USPA International Mail Manual)
- Package is sent either Priority Mail Express International Service or First-Class Package International using Registered Mail service (using the method available for the destination country)
- 4lb weight limit for packages sent by registered mail.
- Required-applicable customs declaration form completed and has been indicated on the form that the package contains cremated remains.
- Countries may require other documents or consulate inspection before transportation.
- Always contact the consulate and/or embassy
- A lot of counries do not allow this shipment, but there are exceptions.
International Shipping
- Hand Carrying Remains
- Funeral Home Shipping
Shipping Remains on Domestic and International Flights
- US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will not ship any container/urn that is lead lined, since all packages must be x-rayed
- Contact each individual airline to find out specific regulations
- Required paperwork must at all times accompany the package through the inspection process. Most airlines do not allow CR to be contained in luggage: must be hand carried.
- Most airlines require that someone must be present for pickup at the state or country of destination. Certain countries require funeral home representative to do this- not the family of the deceased.
- All documentation must at all times accompany the urn/container.
Hand Carrying Remains
The funeral home is responsible for first contacting each individual airline to find out if there are any specific shipping regulations in force.
- If airline has a cargo department, it should be contacted to find out the airline’s specific cargo policy regarding cremated remains.
Funeral Home Shipping
- Costs a fee
- Provides shipping services: package pick-up, completion of paperwork for th destination state or country, shipping arrangements, and package delivery.
- Primarily work with the funera home; on rare occasions they make exceptions and work with the family.
Working with a Mortuary Shipping Company
- Permits
- Recordkeeping
- Crematory Inspection (required in 39 states)
Cremation Safety and Compliance- State Laws and Regulations
Crematory or operator noncompliance with state and local permit licensure requirements and codes can result in fines and other enforcement actions.
- Air quality control permits/ air pollution permits
- Burial transit permit/disposition permit
- Construction permit
- Licensed crematory establishment
- Crematory Operator license (required 15 states)
- Other permits
Permits
- Not required by all states
- States with regulations- compliance requirements vary widely
- Some states exempt crematroies from obtaining air pollution construction permits or air pollution operations permits, such as Wisconsin
- Typically issued by state departments or environmental conservation
Air Quality Control Permits/Air Pollution Permits
- Required to accompany the decedent to place of final disposition
- Typically issued by local registrar or vital records
- Placed in the establishment’s permanent files and a copy should accompany the cremated remains when they are returned to the party authorized to receive them.
Burial Transit Permit/Disposition Permit (Permit for dispostion of human remains)
- Crematory cannot begin construction until this state-issued permit is obtained
- Includes any site preparation work
- Compliance requirements vary
Construction Permit
In some states crematories must be licensed by the board of funeral or cemetery service or other state agencies.
- Regulations vary
- If cremation services are provided directly to the public, may also need licensed funeral establishment license.
- Before operating permit can be obtained (ordinarily)- demonstrate to the environmental agency, either by stack testing or by providing the report of testing conducted on similar furnace model in the state, that emissions are below state-specified levels
Licensed Crematory Establishment
- Complete a training course
- May be a condition for a crematory to obtain a license
- Specifically provided in state law that the state regulatory board must approve course providers.
- Requirements vary
Cremator Operator License (15 States)
Be aware that some states may require the submission of certain o ther forms and permits.
Other Permits
- Keep detailed cremation records until the state statutes of limitations for breach of contract and tort claims have expired in the state in which business is conducted.
- Crematory may want to expand retention period to be prudent for an additional 10 years
- Ceratin states mandate the amount of time that crematories must maintain records of all cremations performed and the disposition of all cremated remains.
Recordkeeping-Retention Period
- The crematory has complied with any state recordkeeping requirements
- Crematory operator certification of training or other requirements are available (some states-conspiciously displayed)
- Cremation device has a current operating permit issued by proper authority (some states-conspiciously displayed).
- The crematory authority is in compliance with local zoning requirements
- The crematory authority license issued by the proper authority is displayed at the crematory.
Compliance for Recordkeeping (what Inspectors Look For)
- Weight of each charge
- Temperature fo the secondary chamber on a continued basis for the crematory
- Hours of operation of the crematory; date and time of each start-up and shut-down
- Quaterly check to determine if visible emissions are being emitted.
Example of Records: West Virginia
Comprehensive inspection laws and regulations exist in Maryland, Florida, and Georgia.
- Just that entry is authorized- Arkansas and Connecticut
- Purpose- crematory is in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations
- Open-door policy- allow anyone to inspect at any time as long as cremation is not being performed.
Crematory Inspection (39 States)
- Ask for credentials of official or inspector
- Ask for reason of inspection
- Be professional
- Be pleasant- not combative
- Don’t complain that the inspection has come at a bad time.
- Make sure the inspector is accompanied at all times during his or her visit by a crematory representative.
- In the absence manager- all employees should be cooperative
- Permits, records, charts- properly posted as required and readily available
- Maintenance records readily available
- Desingations of certification displayed in conspicious manner.
- Answer any and all questions to the best of your ability
- Do not offer or show information other than that which the official/inspector asks to see.
- If technical or legal questions arise during the inspection, take a break, accompany the inspectior to a conference room, and call the manufacturer’s representative or legal counsel for help.
- Do not discuss any other crematory
- Take notes of hte meeting with the inspector
- Thank the official/inspector for coming; ask when you will receive written report.
- Retain copies of documents provided to the inspector. Agree to provide documents and records requested immediately following the inspection, if possible.
Recommended for When Inspector Visits
- Work safety procedures
- Proper handling procedures
- Monitoring control systems
- Recordkeeping procedures
- Malfunction prevention and abatement procedures
Crematory Policies and Procedures:
- Properly designed and operated crematory equipment will have nearly complete fuel combustion, controlling emissions generated by the cremation process.
- Clean air act- states may enact more stringent requirements than EPA
- Most states set emission limits only for emissions of particulate matter and for opacity
- Clean Air Act Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards Rule- EPA reaffirmed decision not to regulate crematories under federal law. EPA decided that crematories should not be regulated as “solid waste combustion units” because the human body should not be considered solid waste.
- States have not restricted mercury, nitrogen and sulfur oxide emissions. In some communities, mercury emissions from crematories have become a contentious health and safety issue, arising when zoning approvals are requested
State Environmental Compliance Requirements
- Controlling temperature and exhaust gas flow rate within the combustion chamber is the primary means
- Complete combustion ordinarily keeps nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxide, organic compounds and carbon monoxide emissions at low concentrations
Achieving Low Emissions