Posted on 05/30/2006 4:36:09 PM PDT by robowombat
Pacemaker Blamed As Explosion Inside Coffin Halts Cremation Posted on Saturday, May 27 @ 21:57:06 CDT
A MINOR explosion in a coffin rocked Carlisle’s crematorium after a funeral service yesterday afternoon. The cause is still being investigated – but it is believed to have been the result of a pacemaker being left inside a body.
It is understood that members of the family involved have been informed of what happened.
No-one was hurt in the incident and there was no disruption to funeral services or cremations.
The crematorium, in Dalston Road, is operated by the city council’s bereavement services department. It is the only one in north Cumbria.
A council spokesperson said: “There was a minor explosion within the crematorium’s cremator yesterday afternoon.
“The machinery continued to operate normally and there was no lasting damage.
“Staff members overseeing the machinery were unharmed and are investigating the possible cause.
“Cremations continued as planned and there were no disruptions to services.”
It is understood that prior to cremations, it is the responsibility of the family and funeral director to ensure that nothing is within a coffin which may cause an explosion.
In this instance, it is believed the go-ahead for the cremation had been given by two doctors.
Pacemakers should be removed before cremation.
See #4. You're too late.
There was a funny song about this. An old lady, anarchist in her youth, an amateur bomber of the sort that would get life in Gitmo these days, finally dies and is cremated at Forest Lawn. They forgot that she had a pacemaker... and she went as she lived. It's called "Grandma went out with a bang."
I want my pacemaker to be like a Timex:,
"Takes a Lickin' and keeps on Tickin"
WHAT HAPPEN?
SOMEBODY SET US UP THE PACEMAKER!
Good thing it didn't explode at that crematory in Rome,
Georgia a few years back. It could'a set the woods on fire!
Are you sure it wasn't his I-pod?
Oh-boy! Bake & Shake!
At least we can be assured that the funeral home didn't remove the pacemaker, hose it off, and re-sell it to the local thoracic surgeon for re-implantation.
Fire stunes beebers
Do they embalm prior to cremating?
Bad enough that he was in a coffin (for which I'm sure somebody paid a pretty penny for), much less having to be embalmed prior to cremation.
Damn morticians rape the living to bury the dead.
Ghouls.
gotta come back to this one!
Do they put someone in a coffin if they are going to be cremated?
Depends on state law. In Texas, a deceased has to be embalmed if not interred within 24 hours of death.
Now, if cremation occurs immediately, there is no requirement for embalming anywhere in the States.
If a family wants a viewing for a couple of days, embalming is a necessity, unless they want their friends to view a swollen, smelly mess.
Only if the family is stupid enough to pay for one.
As far as I know, there is a requirement for a cardboard container, which has a nominal cost and a coffin sans metal fixtures can be purchased, for a price.
Bottom line is: morticians and funeral home owners/directors absolutely screw over the living, playing on the grief of the family, making them feel cheap and guilty if they don't spring for the most expensive services available.
I suppose that includes a coffin to be cremated in and embalming prior to cremation.
It's all about the dollar, donchya know?
And the US funeral directors/owners and morticians are the greediest.
You know, I've seen stores that sell coffins. I suppose they deliver. Otherwise that could be interesting (trying to carry one to the funeral home yourself in the back of a pickup for example)
No they don't. Morticians have to publish prices and can be hauled before the state mortuary board for impropriety if they presssure families.
If a family feels pressured, it's because they, themselves, are feeling guilty about not providing the most expensive service possible.
If you want to make sure you don't leave your family with lots of unexpected expenses, arrange and pay for your funeral in advance. They're generally cheaper, and you spend what you want.
You can buy a cloth-covered pine box for $200, specify no embalming, and no service, and get by for under $1200.
The $100 cost part doesn't include the jointer that I needed to build the box. ;>) Any excuse to buy a tool....
/johnny
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