 Practical
Matters
Most people do not understand the death process until they are faced
with the death of a loved one or they decide to plan their own estate.
Decisions for death care have personal and financial impact and should
be made with as much information as possible. This article summarizes
the primary steps and decisions in the death care process.
Death Certificate
State statutes and instructions from the deceased or next-of-kin determine
the death process. It starts with the issuance of the death certificate.
This document is issued by the physician, medical examiner (or coroner)
within a certain amount of time specified by state law. In some states
a hospice nurse may also issue it. In most states, it must be obtained
prior to cremation. The death certificate needs to be filed with the local
registrar within an amount of time specified by state law. Either next-of-kin
or a funeral home (or mortuary) can obtain and file a death certificate.
Transporting and Disposition Permit
To transport the body of the deceased you are, in most states, required
to have a permit. This document can typically only be obtained once the
death certificate is issued. The local registrar typically issues it.
It must often be filed with the state registrar. Some states also require
that it be signed and submitted a second time after disposition. Either
next-of-kin or a funeral home can obtain and file this permit.
Most states require that bodies be embalmed or cremated prior to transportation
out of state.
The circumstance of death will determine where a body can be transported.
If a death was expected, the body can be transported directly to the funeral
home or to the crematory (except when a pacemaker or other implant exists).
Anyone with a permit may transport the deceased but typically this is
done by a funeral home. Some crematories may offer transportation. If
a death was unexpected, the body will be transported to the coroner's
office first. Transportation will be provided by the coroner's office.
Note that coroners expect a body to go to a funeral home and may not adequately
prepare the body for the family's viewing. As a result, the coroner should
be advised of alternate plans in advance. A coroner may also be willing
to remove a pacemaker or other implant.
Many states are now requiring a waiver to view a body that is not prepared
by a funeral home. This is to protect them from liability due to shock
at the state of the body. This is often the case for victims of accidents
or violent death. Although "bodies" frequently appear on TV,
this does not prepare people to see the body of a loved one that has had
an accident.
Preservation and Preparation
Many states require a body to be preserved via embalming or refrigeration.
No state requires embalming. Embalming is only done by funeral homes.
Funeral homes and crematories have refrigeration. If cremation is planned,
a physician or undertaker must remove any pacemaker prior to delivery
to a crematorium. Preparing the deceased for any viewing is also typically
done by funeral homes but sometimes done by next-of-kin.
Viewing and Service
Viewings are typically done at funeral homes although some religious
institutions may allow it. If a viewing is done, the deceased must be
preserved and prepared for viewing. Caskets can be rented from a funeral
home for viewing or services if cremation is planned. Services may occur
in either location, with or without a viewing. Even without a viewing,
the deceased may be present in a closed casket. The deceased will need
to be preserved at a funeral home prior to the viewing or service.
When due to violent death, remains are seldom viewable. Saying goodbye
may be more difficult for many in this setting and the presence of pictures
and remembrances may be particularly important. Families may request an
object from the location where the person died as a remembrance.
Cremation
In many states, a physician or medical examiner must issue a cremation
permit. In all states, authorization is required from next-of-kin. If
a state has a standard cremation authorization form, individuals may pre-authorize
their own cremation. Some crematories also require that next-of-kin attest
to the identity of the body.
When the deceased bypasses the funeral home, it is referred to as "direct-cremation".
This is possible when no viewing is planned and any pacemaker or implant
has been removed. Any jewelry must be removed prior to cremation. Often,
crematoriums or funeral homes will recommend where glasses can be donated
to non-profit organizations.
Crematoriums offer cardboard containers for cremation. Funeral homes
or next-of-kin can also deliver a casket to the crematorium. After cremation,
ashes can be placed in a temporary container or a supplied urn. Any container
can be used as an urn but many cemeteries or columbariums will require
a sealed container. If no container is provided you will, most likely,
be given a cardboard box with the contents sealed within a plastic bag.
There may be an identification tag that is associated with the body to
insure that you are receiving the ashes of your loved one attached to
the container.
The Roman Catholic Church forbade it for many years, but since 1963 the
church has allowed it so long as it is not done to express disbelief in
bodily resurrection. The church specifies that cremated remains are either
buried or entombed. They do not allow cremated remains to be scattered
or kept at home. Many Catholic cemeteries now have columbarium niches
for cremated remains, or specific sections for those remains. Some denominations
of Protestantism allow cremation, the more conservative denominations
generally do not.
Exceptions
Deaths occurring on tribal lands or during pregnancy are subject to
specific state statues.
State Statutes
A state's registrar can explain what, where and when documents need
to be filed. State statues can also be found online: http://www.state.<
state abbreviation >.us. Ex. http://www.state.tx.us. When death occurs
outside of normal business hours, many states allow judges or sheriffs
to intercede and allow death care to proceed.
Summary of Death Care Process involving Cremation
If death was unexpected, contact the local coroner to retrieve the deceased.
Otherwise, anticipate the following possible options.
If there will be a viewing or a service with the deceased present or if
a pacemaker needs to be removed (i.e. a physician wasn't present), contact
a funeral home to retrieve the deceased.
If not, arrange for transport to a crematorium through a mortuary or
next-of-kin. Be sure to have a death certificate and transportation /
disposition permit prior to transportation. Ensure that all cremation
permits are complete. Be prepared to identify the deceased, provide a
container to bear the ashes, and make arrangements to retrieve and place
the ashes.
If a funeral home is handling the death, it can obtain and file both
the death certificate and the transportation / disposition permit. Even
if a funeral home is involved, next-of-kin can handle the arrangements.
Remember that your loved one can be placed in your care and your decisions
can be accommodated.
Top
|
