COOPERATIVE MEMORIAL SOCIETY
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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Medical Isotopes

CCMS: A member contacted us asking about medical isotopes resulting from an article on Global News "Cremation workers might be exposed to their clients’ radioactive cancer drugs". 
We asked Ernie Hagel of McInnis & Holloway to provide us with his opinion on the matter. As far as metal implants he said there has never been an issue and the information that is below covers medical isotopes. 

M&H: Although we have rarely encountered persons with implants or who have received medical isotopes we do always seek to work to accommodate a families wishes. 

We have distributed the below information to all of our staff so that they are aware of the possibilities for families that have received medical isotopes and also the limitations. 

 The below link is to the Canadian nuclear safety commission on Radiation Protection Guidelines for Safe Handling of Decedents. You will see that in most cases within 2-6 months post treatment  cremation is a possibility and at the longest 2 years but we are not aware of any treatment that would indefinitely prevent cremation. McInnis & Holloway has worked with the specialists in radioactive treatments in the past and with each situation being different we would look to the experts in this field for their approvals prior to making plans with a family. 

https://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/acts-and-regulations/regulatory-documents/published/html/regdoc2-7-3/index.cfm

Can a person be denied cremation?

According to Bill Robertson from McInnis & Holloway, anyone can be cremated. If they have a hip replacement or metal screws then these will be removed from the cremated remains after cremation. Bill believes pace makers are taken out prior to cremation.

Although everyone is eligible for cremation if that is their wish, before a person can be cremated, the person must be identified and a legal document signed (usually by a family member) attesting to the identity of the person being cremated. The Funeral Director also must obtain sign off from the medical examiner before cremation can take place.

Picture
Cooperative Memorial Society (CMS)
Suite 204A, 223-12th Ave. S.W. Calgary, Ab. T2R 0G9 Canada (Appointments required)
1-403-248-2044 
​Toll free: 1-800-566-9959
admin@calgarymemorial.com

​
  • Home
  • About
    • Presentations
    • Newsletter Issues
    • AGM Materials
    • Board of Directors >
      • Bylaws
    • We're a co-op >
      • History
      • Memorial societies
      • Funeral co-ops
      • Do we need a Funeral Co-op in Calgary?
    • Legislation
    • Privacy policy
    • Terms & conditions
    • Contact us
  • Locations & Plans
    • Airdrie
    • Bashaw
    • Blackfalds
    • Calgary >
      • 2023-2025 M&H Plans
      • Additional costs to plans
    • Castor
    • Cochrane
    • Coronation
    • Didsbury
    • Eckville
    • Edmonton
    • Ft. Saskatchewan
    • Innisfail
    • Lacombe
    • Leduc
    • Lethbridge
    • Linden
    • Medicine Hat
    • Olds
    • Ponoka
    • Red Deer
    • Rimbey
    • Rocky Mountain House
    • Spruce Grove
    • Stettler
    • Sundre
    • Sylvan Lake
    • Taber
    • Three Hills
    • Trochu
    • Wetaskiwin
  • Membership
    • Sign up here
    • Purchase by mail
    • Testimonials
    • Member forms & card
    • Troubleshooting
  • Login
    • Member Login
    • Dealing with Log-In Issues
  • Planning Ahead
    • Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Alberta
    • Personal Records
    • Wealth Management Assistance >
      • Getting Finances in Order
    • Hospice Calgary Programs
    • MAID: Medical Assistance in Dying
    • End of Life Planning & Care Video
    • Organ Donation
    • Body Donation
    • Family-Led Deathcare
    • Cremation >
      • Effect of cremation on environment
    • Green Burials
    • Cemeteries >
      • Calgary and area cemeteries
      • Medicine Hat, Lethbridge & Taber
      • Red Deer and Area
    • FAQs
  • Death of Member
    • Final Arrangements
    • Obituary - Writing
    • Permits and Registration of Death
    • Executor Duties
    • Death Benefit
    • Last Post Fund
    • Grieving Together
    • Services for Seniors
    • Useful links
  • Member Update