Crisis in cremation. Cremation form should be abolished.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Medical Records↗
SEARCH · PubMed Health
Results for “Cremation”
Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
[Stress deformations of skeletal remains from prehistoric cremation burials].
Vertebrae and parts of joints from long bones from prehistoric cremations of the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age are presented, showing marked deformations caused by pressure during cremation when bones exposed to temperatures of 400 degrees-500 degrees Centigrade display minimal hardness. The vertebrae with deformation of the arcus parts are only from the lower vertebral column; on account of the weight of this body region, this suggests that the corpse lay in the dorsal position at the place of cremation. The fact that there were deformed arches only on one side might suggest an irregular structure of the surface on which the corpse lay. In the prone position, i.e. in the absence of pressure caused by body weight, all vertebrae should be unaltered; alternatively, if cremation wood was piled on top of the corpse, the arches of thoracic and cervical vertebrae are also likely to be deformed. Deformations resulting from weight bearing were found in the joints of extremities only, with flattening of the heads of joints as well as fissures in the external layers of bones and compression into folds. Some bones show distinct even grooves caused by direct pressure, possibly resulting from the fixation of joint regions for cremation? Evidently the deformations caused by the weighting down of different skeletal regions provide hints that may help in the recognition of cremation rites. It would be helpful if experimental cremations could be performed to establish the pressure necessary to cause deformations.
Biomechanical Phenomena↗
Post-cremation taphonomy and artifact preservation.
Contemporary commercial cremation is a reductive taphonomic process that represents one of the most extreme examples of postmortem human alteration of bone. The thorough reduction and fragmentation of cremated human remains often leaves little biological evidence of diagnostic value. Instead, non-osseous artifacts often provide the best evidence of the origin of the cremated remains, the identity of the decedent, and commingling of the remains of more than one individual. Once human remains have been cremated they are most commonly placed into a processor and reduced into small fragments and fine ash suitable for inurnment or scattering. The type of processor determines the size and utility of the particulates and artifacts available for analysis. The newest type of processors have changed the manner and degree of postmortem bone modification and altered the preservation of diagnostic bone fragments and cremation artifacts. This paper addresses the impact of the newest cremation procedures on forensic analysis of cremated remains.
Forensic Anthropology↗
Cremation weights in east Tennessee.
In spite of increasing number of cremations in the U.S., little is known about weights of cremated remains. This research was undertaken in order to add to the limited literature on cremains weights and to explore variation. Weights of cremated remains were obtained from the East Tennessee Crematorium. The sample consists of 151 males and 155 females. Age, sex, and race were obtained for each individual. Males are about 1000 g heavier than females. Both sexes lose weight with age, but females lose weight at about twice the rate of males. East Tennessee cremation weights were compared with those from Florida reported by Warren and Maples, and those from Southern California reported by Sonek. East Tennessee results were also compared with an earlier study on ash weight of anatomical human skeletons carried out by Trotter and Hixon. East Tennessee cremations weigh about 500 g more than the samples from Florida and California, and about the same as the earlier anatomical samples. We hypothesize that variation reflects variation in body weight and activity. This variation must be taken into account when cremation weights are at issue.
Adolescent↗
[Some new aspects in the study of human cremations (author's transl)].
Thermally induced reactions of bone mineral are outlined. The shrinkage of cremated bones is due to sintering of bone mineral. In an electron microscopic study changes of bone structure caused by thermal treatment and sintered mineral units are described. The problems of estimating the shrinkage factor and the use of cremation weight for identification and discussed. There is a significant difference between mean weights of cremations of senile males and females. The absolute difference indicates, that cremation weight is not a useful criterion for identification. Even in cremated bones, cuts and saw marks can be detected.
Age Factors↗
Cremation of body parts and fetuses.
Crematoria are occasionally asked to cremate non-viable fetuses. Many doctors, especially those associated with crematoria, believe that there will be no cremated residue. However, if the cremation technique is modified, cremated remains are produced. These remains can form a focal point for the parent's grief. Crematoria are urged to ensure their technique yields a residue.
Female↗
[Cremation and the environmental mercury burden].
The dental status of 130 deceased Zurich people was evaluated from radiographs of their maxillary and mandibular dentitions taken during their autopsies. A mean mass of mercury of 2.49 +/- 0.37 g was calculated per dentate deceased based on the analysis of 134 extracted premolars and molars with amalgam restorations. The mercury contamination due to cremation in 1988 in Switzerland was calculated to vary between 45.8 and 79.0 kg, based on both the data from the sample analyzed and the fact that 55.5% of Swiss funerals were cremations, the average age of death was 73 and that 70% of the people of that age retained some of their teeth. Mercury contamination by cremation, therefore comprised only 0.61 to 1.53% of the total mercury contamination produced by all waste incineration methods. The minimal contribution to the mercury contamination due to cremation can thus not be used as an argument to ban the use of dental amalgams.
Air Pollutants↗
[The incidence of ischemic heart disease in white South Africans cremated in Pretoria, 1978-1985].
The prevalence of ischaemic heart disease was studied in a population selected on the basis of an application for cremation by the next of kin. In the age group 35-44 years 15.2% of the deaths were ascribed to ischaemic heart disease (IHD), while the corresponding figure in the general population was 27.2%. In females in the age group 45-54 years IHD was responsible for 9.3% of the deaths; the corresponding prevalence in the general population was 18.3%. The figures for all age groups and both sexes were 22% for the cremation group and 24.5% for the general population. In the economically active group (20-65) years, the figures were 20.0% for the cremation group and 30% for the general population. There was no significant difference in the IHD deaths between Afrikaans-speakers and other language groups. These findings are not necessarily applicable to the general population, as the cremation group is not truly representative, but the consistently lower prevalence of IHD suggests that there is over-reporting of this disease in unmonitored death certification.
Cause of Death↗
[A contribution towards metrical sex determination of cremated and uncremated human bone remains, worked out at the pars petrosa ossis temporalis (author's transl)].
A new method for sex diagnosis is presented; the uni-, di-, and multivariate analysis of the Pars petrosa, which is a part of the temporal bone. This work was initiated because the Pars petrosa can be found very often among human cremation remains. Two different discriminant functions were worked out, and their comparison shows the great value of considering all the characteristics. Consideration of three measurements can give a sex determination of remarkable accuracy (about 80%). Even the uni- and divariate examinations yield important leads. The last part of this work deals with the possibility of applying the method to cremated bones. The most important point to consider is the shrinking of burnt bones. Appropriate new mean values of the first three measurements and an adapted sectioning point are given. Yet, even without shrinkage-correction the functions possess great reliability in the application on cremated material.
Adult↗
Evidence of arteriosclerosis in cremated remains.
Severely burned or cremated human remains (i.e., cremains) are among the most challenging cases investigated by forensic pathologists, odontologists, and anthropologists. Exposure to extreme heat of long duration destroys all organic components of the body, leaving only the inorganic component of the skeleton. The numerous calcined osseous or dental fragments that remain after the cremation process rarely convey useful information to the investigator. In most cases, it is associated nonosseous artifacts that provide evidence of the decedent's identity. In a case investigated at the University of Florida's C. A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory, as well as in several cases examined during data collection for a research project, several fragments were identified as calcined plaque tubules from sclerotic blood vessels. These tubules provide direct evidence that the cremated individual had a variety of arteriosclerosis.
Arteriosclerosis↗
Radiation safety issues regarding the cremation of the body of an I-125 prostate implant patient.
Radiation exposure to the public is estimated if the body of an I-125 prostate implant patient is cremated. Precautions regarding the handling of cremated remains are suggested. Cremation can be performed safely at any time.
Brachytherapy↗
An end to D-I-Y cremation?
This article examines whether to be lawful a cremation must be carried out in accordance with the Cremation Acts. It argues that it need not be but points out that any lacuna in the Acts will be plugged if and when the new consolidated Cremation Regulations are passed. It then considers the implication of this reform for the disposal of babies born dead before the legal age of viability.
History, 19th Century↗
[Cremation--biological source for gender research].
This article presents a project designed for prehistoric gender research. It focuses on the late Bronze Age to early Iron Age urnfield in Cottbus "Alvensleben-Kaserne", Brandenburg. The cremation remains were emptied from the urns layer by layer. This provided excellent conditions for a critical reconstruction of the funeral rituals related to the cremation. Detailed recording of each bone fragment in each layer made possible the discovery of the ritual deposition of burnt bones according to the anatomical order. Cremated bones, a primarily biological source, are also a substantial resource for cultural historical research, e.g., on funeral practices as well as social structures.
Anthropology, Cultural↗
[Amount of mercury from dental amalgam filling released into the atmosphere by cremation].
Mercury in dental amalgam filling is released into the atmosphere by cremation and is a suspected source of mercury pollution. The amount of mercury released was measured at three crematoriums. First, mercury levels in the atmosphere were measured. Mercury existed mainly in the gaseous form in ambient air. The concentration of atmospheric mercury at the three crematoriums (S, T and M) ranged from 4.3 to 19.7ng/m3, which was nearly identical to levels in our university surveyed as the control area and also to the levels of atmospheric mercury in general in Japan. Secondly, the amount of mercury release from T crematorium was estimated using official published statistical data in Japan and calculated as follows: sigma[(age specific number of dead that were cremated) x (the number of restored teeth by age category) x (mercury content per amalgam filling (0.6 g))] x (prevalence rate of restoration with amalgam). The amount of mercury released from this crematorium was estimated to be approximately 9.4 kg per year, or a daily release of 26 g into the ambient air. These results indicate that mercury release by cremation is similar to that from other man-made sources.
Air Pollutants↗
[Autopsy before cremation--formality without efficacy?].
A multicentre study involving 36 out of 38 German medico-legal Institutes discovered 784 non-natural fatalities among 78,000 external examinations before cremation (1%) in 1995. These included 169 accidents, 16 suicides, 3 homicides and 589 deaths in connection with medical treatment. In the remaining 7 cases, a belated differentiation between homicide and accident was not successful. A linear projection results in 1980 non-natural fatalities among all 197,000 external examinations before cremation. This number includes 8 homicides but due to considerable inhomogeneities, a number of 40 homicides appears to be realistic. Consequently, abolishing the mandatory external examination before cremation would be equivalent to an official renouncement of solving relevant non-natural deaths. In case of a thorough external examination, a total of 18,000 non-natural fatalities including approximately 180 homicides could be detected per year during the first external examinations (n = 885,000).
Autopsy↗
[Obligation to report occupational diseases. Importance of external post-mortem examinations before cremation].
The practical use of the legally required documentation of occupational diseases is demonstrated by a case of asbestos-related pleural mesothelioma. During the mandatory inquest before cremation, information of manifest pleural mesothelioma had been relayed to the widow of the patient, and an investigation for a possible occupational disease was performed. Reconstruction of the case showed that in the course of 3 months at least 13 physicians had been involved in in-hospital as well as ambulatory therapeutic measures. Until death, none of them informed the trade association about a suspected occupational disease in accordance with BK 4105 of the codex of occupational diseases, although the diagnosis of manifest pleural mesothelioma had been histologically confirmed already 10 weeks prior to the death of the patient. This case demonstrates obvious and evident deficiencies in applying the Code of Social Law VII, which requires physicians to report occupational diseases. In addition, it shows the importance of the post-mortem examination as a control function before cremation.
Germany↗
Metastatic carcinoma of presumed prostatic origin in cremated bones from the first century A.D.
A cremated pelvis dating from the first century A.D. showed evidence of osteosclerotic metastasis, presumably secondary to prostate carcinoma. The case demonstrates the importance of microradiography in palaeopathology as well as some of the structural changes seen in cremated bone.
Bone Neoplasms↗
Identifying chop marks on cremated bone: a preliminary study.
The purpose of this analysis is to evaluate the effects of burning on hacking trauma inflicted with a cleaver and to assess the diagnostic potential of cleaver marks exposed to fire. Thirty pig forelimbs (radius and ulna) and 30 beef ribs were each subjected to five blows with a cleaver and five cuts with a knife prior to burning in an outdoor fire. Bones were deliberately agitated to ensure maximum cremation and induce fragmentation. Results indicate that hacking weakens bone, making fire-induced fragmentation more likely at the sites of trauma. Chop marks were easily identified on burned bone, their characteristics largely unaffected by cremation.
Animals↗