Infamous Georgia case leads to new criteria for Code of Alabama cremation regulations

In 2002, Tri-State Crematory, representing Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, was brought under charges after authorities found hundreds of bodies that had not been cremated but left lying in sheds and vaults and on the ground.

Authorities also found that the supposed cremated ashes sent to families of those deceased were not ashes, but concrete dust. As a result of the Tri-State Crematory incident in Georgia, the state of Alabama changed its laws regarding cremation.

According to the Code of Alabama, Title 34, Section 34-13-121, these are some of the provisions of Alabama’s current laws:

• All crematories must be licensed.

• Crematories are subject to inspection.

• Records must be kept and reports must be filed to assure compliance with the laws.

• A 24-hour waiting period must be observed before cremation unless there is a verified health risk, such as an infectious disease.

• Families must be allowed to witness transport of the deceased to the crematory, or if families are prohibited from witnessing transport, it must be disclosed in writing before the contract is signed.

• Each crematory must maintain an identification system throughout all phases of the cremation process, including name of the deceased; date of death; and date and time of cremation.

• Crematories licensed under these laws must cremate only human remains.

• Only one person at a time may be cremated in a retort, or cremation chamber, and all recoverable residue must be removed from the retort.

• Cremated remains must be shipped only by a method that has an internal tracing system available and provides a receipt signed by the person accepting delivery. (TAB)