Submitted by Clair Ferris for Funeral Alternatives of Washington
There are many myths and misunderstands about the funeral industry. This article is based on actual questions we have been asked regarding the funeral profession. Families experiencing a death or pre-planning for themselves or a loved one may not be aware of some of the following information. We hope you will be informed and educated by the data provided before you have a need to work with a funeral home.
When Considering Burial, Did You Know…
Embalming is not required by state law? Only under certain circumstances may be embalming be required. They include:
- Public viewing of the remains.
- Some cemetery mausoleums (above ground entombment) may require embalming.
- Some transportation situations may require embalming, such as transporting a body long distances by vehicle or airplane. Sometimes dry ice or ice packs may be used in lieu of embalming. Airlines may have their own rules and requirements.
When Considering Cremation, Did You Know…
- Nearly 80% of people in Western Washington select cremation?
- You can authorize your own cremation before death, thereby assuring your wish to be cremated is fulfilled?
- A person having a durable power of attorney can authorize cremation of an individual before death? However, exercising that authority must be done prior to death, because the authority ceases upon death.
- An individual may select a Designated Agent before death to be responsible for all related funeral and financial arrangements? This powerful document gives first position authority over anyone else, even a spouse.
- If there is no Designated Agent, a spouse can authorize cremation? If no spouse, the authorization to cremate must be obtained from the majority of survivors having the next level of authority. This will extend to children, parents, siblings, etc. If there are only two, both must agree upon cremation. Regardless, if a majority cannot be met, cremation cannot proceed. Burial can be done without a majority consensus. Sometimes family disagreements prevent cremation from happening. This can lead to greater expense because burial must be done when a majority can’t be obtained.
- Problems, like the above, can be solved easily by pre-signing your own cremation authority before the need.
- You have the right to inspect the crematory facility of your choice? Not all crematories are created equal. Knowing how the crematory operates and its appearance can provide peace of mind knowing your loved one will be cared for properly.
- Washington State has an identification system in place that all crematories must follow? An individually numbered metal I. D. tag is placed with the body in the crematory. This tag stays with the cremated remains through the entire process.
- Cremated remains are bone fragments processed to fit in standard industry sized urns of approximately 220 cubic inches?
- You can arrange for a family viewing, if desired, prior to cremation? Some people need that extra peace of mind knowing it is their loved one being cremated. Some families and certain religious cultures wish to witness placement of the remains into the crematory chamber. This is similar to families choosing burial and witnessing the casket being lowered into the grave.
Did You Know…
- When a death occurs at home, you don’t need to rush to have the body removed? If desired, the deceased may remain in the home for up to 24 hours. After this, provisions must be made for cooling of the remains to meet State Health Code requirements.
- You can change funeral homes if you are uncomfortable with your first choice or if the remains were sent to the wrong funeral home? You can also move pre-arrangements to another funeral home if you wish.
- Any funeral home can serve any cemetery?
- Funeral homes are obligated by the Federal Trade Commission “Funeral Rule” to provide a General Price List for your retention? This gives the consumer the opportunity to “shop” and compare funeral home price lists.
Clair Ferris, owner of Funeral Alternatives of Washington provides educational programs at no cost for groups in the community. He also presents a program on Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and funeral, sharing little known information and slides about the event. If you are interested in having Clair speak to your group, call 360-753-1065.
