antichrist said:
If he's going to be cremated it might be a good idea to try to have someone trustworthy visit the crematorium. Based on what happened here in GA not too long ago, he may want to make sure his father is actually cremated and not just dumped in the back 40.
Not saying it can't be done, but it would be near impossible to get away with that anymore. Ever since the Tri-State deal in GA many new laws and regulations have hit the books. We now have to deal with the EPA, the DEQ, and a new origination called CANA. They're monitoring everything from emissions to gas usage per pound. Crematories are also now randomly inspected by the state, too, something that was never done in the past.
For example, in the past retorts were basically large ovens with a direct flame. About 1.8 Million BTU's fed by a 4" gas main. Funeral homes would just do the cremation without logging any information at all. You just did the job and that was that.
Within the last 10 years, the laws have changed. Each body must not only be identified prior to cremation, but they must be logged in and given some sort of ID that also must withstand the cremation process. Many crematories use a stainless steel token with a number on it. That number, and the persons name, is recorded in a log book. It's also recorded on a graph on the crematory itself. This graph also maps the cremation process marking the total run time of the cremation and the temperatures throughout the process.
At the end of the year the crematory has to send this information to the DEQ where they determine if your running efficiently. They're also required to visit the crematory every-so-often, too (either every 3 or 5 years) and actually witness a cremation and check for emissions.
The state is required to visit your location at least once every 3 years. More often is they choose too. They inspect your retort and your log books with a fine tooth comb. You've got to be able to show them not only who you cremated, but how much they weighed, how long the process took, how much gas was used, and how much gas you've purchased. Even if you're just conducting maintenance you've got to accurately show the inspector where that gas went, or didn't go. And the meters on the buildings keep everyone in check....
This type of monitoring does not come cheap. It's also why you've seen the price of cremation jump from $695 to $2,000+.