CCO CCO Human Remains Identification & Chain of Custody 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What information must typically appear on a cremation identification disc?
- Family contact information and billing code
- Case number or ID number that links to the cremation record (Correct answer)
- Cause of death and attending physician name
- Funeral home logo and date of death
Correct answer: Case number or ID number that links to the cremation record
The ID disc must carry a unique case or ID number that corresponds to the cremation record, allowing identification of remains throughout the process.
Question 2: How should a crematory document when two or more remains are held at the facility simultaneously?
- No special documentation is needed
- A separate case file and log entry for each set of remains, kept physically separated in storage (Correct answer)
- A single combined log with a note about multiple cases
- Documentation is optional if staff are experienced
Correct answer: A separate case file and log entry for each set of remains, kept physically separated in storage
Each set of remains must have its own case file, and physical separation with labeled storage prevents confusion when multiple cases are held simultaneously.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a 'cremation authorization form' beyond family consent?
- It replaces the death certificate for legal purposes
- It documents who authorized the cremation, what was authorized, and any special instructions (Correct answer)
- It serves as the receipt for cremation services only
- It certifies the identity of the deceased
Correct answer: It documents who authorized the cremation, what was authorized, and any special instructions
The authorization form documents the authorizing party, their relationship, scope of authorization, special instructions, and releases the crematory to perform the cremation.
Question 4: When multiple family members disagree about cremation authorization, what should the crematory operator do?
- Proceed with cremation if at least one family member agrees
- Delay cremation until the dispute is resolved, following state law on priority order (Correct answer)
- Ask the funeral director to decide
- Allow the individual who pays first to authorize
Correct answer: Delay cremation until the dispute is resolved, following state law on priority order
The crematory should delay cremation and follow state law's priority order for next of kin, requiring resolution of the dispute before proceeding.
Question 5: What is the recommended practice for documenting pacemakers or other implanted devices discovered during intake?
- Remove and discard them without documentation
- Document their presence on the intake form and remove them before cremation per safety protocols (Correct answer)
- Leave them in place and note nothing
- Contact the physician who implanted the device before proceeding
Correct answer: Document their presence on the intake form and remove them before cremation per safety protocols
Pacemakers and implanted devices must be documented on intake forms and removed prior to cremation because they can explode under high heat.
Question 6: After cremation, the ID disc should be:
- Discarded with the retort waste
- Placed with the cremated remains and noted in the case record (Correct answer)
- Returned to the funeral home separately
- Filed in the crematory's permanent records only
Correct answer: Placed with the cremated remains and noted in the case record
The ID disc should remain with the cremated remains and its presence documented in the case record to maintain identification continuity until final disposition.
CCO CCO Human Remains Identification & Chain of Custody 2
What information must typically appear on a cremation identification disc?