This issue includes an excerpt from the book, Traversing the Minefield – Best Practice: Reducing Risk in Funeral-Cremation Service. The book, referred to as a "must read" by the experts in the profession, will be available on September 25, 2007. Until September 25^th, you can save $25.00. Order the book on my website, www.kubasak.com and click, "View Mike’s New Book."

The following Best Practice suggestions are not arbitrary. They have been developed over time out of necessity and through my personal experiences and those of other funeral-cremation providers and crematory operators across the country.

1. Develop a written policy that addresses the issue of disposition and/or retrieval of a person’s cremated remains.
2. Share the policy with all arrangers. They must understand the policy and be skilled in communicating the contents to client families.
3. Insist that arrangers be assertive, not passive in discussing this issue. It must be mandatory to discuss this during every cremation arrangement conference.
4. Require that arrangements for disposition be decided upon and identified in writing on the Cremation Authorization Form during the conference.
5. As a part of your Cremation Authorization Form, include a section called "Disposition of Cremated Remains." Discuss with the client family the various choices available. Require that a decision be made during the conference, even if the decision is to mail or deliver the cremated remains to a family member. Confirm the choice with the signature or initials of the person(s) with authority.
6. In boldface type, include key parts of your policy on the Cremation Authorization Form, such as this statement: Cremation cannot take place until a directive for the disposition of the person’s cremated remains is contained in writing on this form. In states where laws are established to authorize the funeral home to perform disposition of unclaimed cremated remains, cite appropriate sections of the law on the authorization form. Inform the family how disposition will occur in the event they do not retrieve them. Confirm with the signature or initials of the person(s) with authority.
7. Consider implementing a financial incentive associated to your policy that reinforces the importance of the client family making disposition or retrieval decisions during the conference. Some funeral homes ask for an up-front deposit that is refunded when the cremated remains are retrieved. Some crematories charge the funeral home client a fee for storage, above and beyond the cremation fee, if the funeral home does not retrieve them within several days.

Don’t miss out on your chance to save $25.00 by ordering the book before September 25^th. Don’t learn due-diligence the hard way! Put this book to work for your firm...Stay out of court, stay off the 6 o’clock news and outside the trial lawyers’ crosshairs.