Cremation and Hydrolysis
Cremation authority and timing
NC cremation is governed by statute and Board rules. A crematory may act only on a signed cremation authorization from the person with the right of disposition, plus a burial-transit permit and required death-certificate documentation. The crematory must wait the statutory period-generally 24 hours after death-before cremating, unless an exception applies. Positive identification procedures must be followed at intake and before charging the retort.
Facility and handling
Crematories must be licensed and inspected. Pacemakers and other explosive implants must be removed before cremation; batteries and radioactive devices require special handling. Bodies must be cremated separately unless the authorizing family gives written permission for commingling. Remains must be processed and returned in a labeled container, with a record of the chain of custody.
Hydrolysis
Alkaline hydrolysis is a licensed disposition method in NC. It uses a heated alkaline solution in a hydrolysis vessel, followed by processing of bone fragments. The same authorization, identification, waiting-period, and recordkeeping principles apply. Effluent must be disposed of according to permit and environmental requirements.
Worked example
A family delivers a body with a pacemaker and asks for immediate cremation. The crematory must remove the device before charging; otherwise the sealed retort can be damaged and staff injured. The delay is a safety requirement, not a reason to skip the 24-hour wait or the authorization.
Traps
Cremating on a funeral director's verbal okay, ignoring the permit, failing to separate remains, and assuming hydrolysis is unregulated are mark-losing errors.