As we enter the cremation era, many states are evaluating procedures and regulatory compliance at crematoriums. There’s more activity than ever, which means more opportunities for things to go astray if they aren’t tightly regulated. It was a serious topic of discussion in Texas last year as the state faced a few high profile cases that called the oversight of the Texas Funeral Service Commission into question.
This is good news for consumers given that regulatory compliance looks out for their best interest. Here are some of the regulatory compliance issues you can expect to take center stage in the coming months.
More Detailed Chain-of-Custody Documentation
Chain-of-custody documentation is vital for cremation services. For cremated remains chain-of-custody refers to how a body is tracked as it is transferred. The information includes location and who is handling the body along with details about the deceased.
With more cremations being performed than ever before, chain-of-custody documentation is more important than ever. There is going to be more scrutiny over how bodies are accounted for throughout the cremation process, and more detailed information to assure mistakes aren’t made.
Improved Storage Solutions
Crematoriums are running at full capacity as the cremation rate increases. The situation has led to longer wait times and a greater need for storage. This has turned the spotlight on how storage is managed at crematoriums and what can be done to improve the process.
For many crematoriums, improved storage protocols are essential since they aren’t able to put more retorts into operation. They’ll need to maximize storage space and efficiency while staying within humidity and temperature levels that are regulated for safety. The solutions include:
- Advanced refrigeration systems that are more efficient.
- Modular storage that provides more space on demand.
- Temporary hermetic sealing using products like CadSeal foil.
This is one area of cremation that we expect to see a lot of innovation because the need will likely continue to grow.
Better Identification Protocols
Families want assurance that the cremated remains they receive are in fact from their loved one, and that is only possible through careful identification protocols. With more people than ever choosing cremations there’s more room for error, so it makes sense that improving identification protocols is a priority.
In addition to more detailed chain-of-custody documentation, look for more regulations on digital tracking, better staff training and multi-party verification. The goal is to have more checks and balances so that there’s less risk of identification errors from intake to the urn.
Quicker, More Accurate Death Certificate Filings
Something that may come as a surprise to many families is how long it can sometimes take to get a death certificate. Part of the issue is delays in the filing process and errors that have to be corrected.
This year the focus will be on ensuring death certificates are filed in a timely fashion to speed up the process at the onset. Accuracy is going to be improved through the use of electronic death registration systems (EDRS) that are connected to medical records and medical examiner case management systems. Data standardization and third-party audits are also being used more frequently to improve the accuracy of death certificates.
Tighter Adherence For License Renewals
Licensing is more important given that more cremation operators and funeral directors are needed to keep up with demand. State and local jurisdictions are expected to be more stringent on making sure license renewals are completed on time so that there aren’t any discrepancies that can lead to bigger compliance issues.
Better Compliance For Continuing Education
The funeral industry is rapidly evolving and changing. Since there are also safety concerns surrounding disposition and regulations that can change, most states require that funeral directors complete continuing education to maintain their license.
You can expect to see many states evaluating their continuing education procedures this year and providing more oversight to ensure that the requirements are met. Because so much has changed in a short amount of time, some states could require additional courses or shorten the timeframe for when continuing education needs to be completed.
Continuing education is important from a regulatory perspective for one key reason. Many funeral home violations aren’t intentional. They’re the result of unclear documentation or misunderstandings about the current regulations and the procedures are simply outdated. Better compliance with continuing education will help circumvent some of these issues.
Crematoriums Are Getting Prepared For More Inspections
Regulatory bodies that create the guidelines want to ensure that crematoriums are following them. That requires regular inspections to get a firsthand look at how crematoriums are being operated.
Now that more cremations are being performed, crematoriums are preparing for more inspections in the coming years. It’s highly beneficial for consumers since it means crematoriums are more likely to keep their facilities fully compliant at all times.
New Requirements For Long-Term Record Retention
Don’t be surprised if the requirements for long-term record retention are updated and crematoriums are expected to keep records on file for longer. The EPA requires that crematoriums keep waste disposal records for at least three years, but record retention is primarily regulated by the states or even local jurisdictions.
Currently, most jurisdictions require that records be retained for 2-10 years. However, now that regulations are being enhanced, there could be requirements for indefinite record retention, at least in a digital format. Records that need to be retained long-term include:
- Cremation permits
- Cremation certificates
- Identification records
- Chain-of-custody documentation
- Service contracts
Cremation.Green is a well-respected funeral home that takes regulatory compliance seriously. Our eco-friendly funeral services are performed by talented, caring professionals that go above and beyond to make the process stress-free.
If you’d like to know more about cremation services and other disposition options, you can give us a call, text or email at any time. We’re available 24/7/365.