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CANA and Its Funeral Director Members
In 2000 CANA changed its by-laws to accept funeral homes, that do not own or operate a crematory, to full membership in the association. Previously to that a member had to own or
operate a crematory or own a cemetery. This change in the by-laws was made because of the high increase in the number of funeral homes who were arranging cremation services for
their families and having to use another facility to do the actual cremation, plus several states (New Jersey, Texas, Michigan and Massachusetts) do not allow for a funeral home to own a crematory.
It was CANA’s feeling that funeral directors should have access to the necessary forms and information to ensure that the cremation process was being done legally, ethically and morally
correct, and that they understand that as a funeral director, who arranges for the cremation to be done by an outside firm, that they are liable for the actions of the crematory.
CANA strongly recommends that a designated representative of the funeral home visit the crematory they use and witness an actual cremation, and that they review the identification
process used from the time the body is received by the crematory facility, the cremation process, the processing of the
cremated remains, and placement of the cremated remains in the urn or temporary container. Also, that the funeral director
seek out those cremation facilities that have trained and certified operators on their staff. And CANA also advises the
funeral home to make unannounced inspections of the crematory facility and their procedures on a regular basis (3-5 times a year minimum).
It is important that funeral homes be aware of their exposure to legal actions against them if the crematory they use is ever
engaged in improper and/or illegal practices. CANA advises that the funeral home review their exposure with their insurance agent to be sure they have adequate coverage when using independent cremation providers.
CANA encourages its funeral home only members to attend a CANA Crematory Operators Certification Program so they fully understand the correct procedures to be followed in a cremation.
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