Burial rights: know the facts about cremation. (Consumer Life).

The family members of roughly 300 dead loved ones who were thought to have been cremated at the Tri-State Crematory in Noble, Georgia, were recently mourning not only their loss but also cruel deception. Local investigators discovered that many of the urns that were supposed to be holding the ashes of the dearly departed, had actually contained wood ashes or potting soil. Arrested was Bay Brent Marsh, the caretaker of the family-run business, whose company was paid between $200 and $1,500 for each cremation. Could this have happened to your family?

According to a recent survey by The Cremation Association of North America (CANA), a trade association for the funeral industry based in Chicago, 46% of Americans plan to choose cremation rather than traditional burial for themselves or their loved ones. Furthermore, the association predicts that by 2010 cremations in the U.S. will represent 46% up from 26.6% in 2000, with urban areas having higher cremation rates than rural areas. Specialists attribute the trend to issues ranging from less expensive (24%) to land preservation (17%). CANA found other reasons as well. Cremation tends to be simpler and more convenient.

"A basic cremation costs between $1,200 and $1,400, which is about 75% cheaper than a casket funeral, and is easier to arrange," explains Eric White, a spokesman for the Internet Cremation Society (ICS; www.cremation.org).

But, despite economics and even convenience, consumers need to know exactly what this growing trend encompasses to avoid becoming a victim.

The actual cremation process normally takes two to three hours. It should not take place in groups or pairs. "The cremation vessel named a `retort' can only handle one body at a time, therefore, the body is tagged so there are not any mix-ups," assures White. After each cremation, the retort is swept and cleaned, nonetheless, it is possible for minute amounts of remains to commingle, admit industry experts.

After the cremation, the family receives all of the ashes. The package usually weighs several pounds and takes up about 200 cubic inches. The ashes are offered in a temporary container unless you've already chosen a permanent one, such as an urn. Ashes can also be returned to the family to be encased in molten glass or scattered at sea by professionals. The crematorium director usually handles the filing of the death certificate and notifying the Social Security and Veteran's Administration, if the deceased was a veteran, although some funeral homes handle these aspects as well. It is important to ask who handles these details because death benefits can be affected if the proper paperwork is not filed.

Not all morticians are cremation advocates, though. "Cremation does not allow for the grieving process to reach a proper level of closure," insists Gregory T. Burrell, the owner and operator of the African American Terry Funeral Home in Philadelphia. "Many of us are opting for it because it's cheaper than a $6,000 funeral, but I've seen many families come back and feel regret," he explains.

For those who would desire cremation, but would prefer a more ceremonial farewell, there is the option to have a memorial service before the ashes are presented to the family or scattered. Burrell is more amenable to this concept. "People need to grieve and ceremonies help them do that."

How to Choose a Crematorium

Few funeral homes actually have their own crematorium; they contract the work out, explains Owen McFall, an African American owner of Ball-McFall Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cleveland. There are numerous reputable crematoriums:

* Make sure it is fully insured. Check them out with The Cremation Association of North America at 312-644-6610 or www.cremationassociation.org

* Make sure it is state regulated. Call your local Better Business Bureau or check for complaints by going to www.bbb.org.

* Ask to see proof of frequent state inspections. The director should have the original on display.

* Be sure the staff is attentive and listening to your needs. If you feel exploited in your grief, move on.

* If you use a funeral home make sure the staff tells you which crematorium they use. Then do the same research as if you went straight to the crematorium itself.