Making a Final Exit |
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Final disposition is a legal term for a very practical matter: how a body is disposed of after death. While there are many variations described below, presently in Oregon there are four primary options: burial, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis (sometimes called water, or flameless cremation), or natural organic reduction (also known as human composting).
In Oregon, families may make all of the arrangements themselves or may hire a funeral director to assist with or make all arrangements. This page provides the information you need to “Do It Yourself”. (See How to Work With Professionals for tips on getting what you want from professionals. For a legal form where you can state your disposition preferences, go to Oregon Disposition Instructions.) |
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Cremation
Direct (or Simple) Cremation
Direct cremation is typically the least expensive disposition option. This means that the body will be removed from the place of death and the family will be alerted when the cremation is complete. It includes an alternate container (usually made of cardboard), transportation within a specific range, sheltering of the deceased until the cremation is completed, the cremation, processing of all necessary forms and documents, and assistance with obituaries.
Cremation Services and Packages
Funeral homes and cremation providers offer packages that include different product and service options beyond what’s provided in a Direct Cremation. Many families choose to cremate and then plan a memorial service or celebration at another time, including interment of the cremated remains in a cemetery. Cremation packages, and products associated with cremated remains, can be arranged independently or with the assistance of a funeral home. Be sure to compare packages to a la carte components to get exactly what you want. (See How to Work with Professionals for more on coordinating directly with crematory staff. Read David’s Story about creating a home-based place of remembrance with cremated remains.)
Witnessed Cremation
Witnessed cremations are exactly what they sound like: one or more family members being present at the facility, with the option of delivering the body into the cremation chamber, pushing the ignition button, and remaining through the end of the process. Not all crematory operators are open to it and not all funeral directors offer this product. Those who provide this by request may charge a small extra fee and may only be available certain days or times of day. For those who choose this option, being in control and present to the end can be impactful and rewarding. (See Bill's Story)
Disposition of Cremated Remains
Disposition by cremation results in an average of 7-10 pounds of pulverized bone in the form of calcium phosphate and sodium. In Oregon, there are no state laws governing where you may keep or scatter cremated remains; the process of cremation is legally considered final disposition and the remains are “personal property” posing no health hazards and no longer governed by rules for the deceased. There are a few considerations:
(See our Create Ceremony page for more on services associated with cremated remains, and How to Go Out Greener for information about products.)
Environmental Impact
Many people are unaware of the environmental impact of cremation, often erroneously believing it to be the greenest disposition method. Cremation burns fossil fuel, usually natural gas, at extremely high temperatures sustained for several hours per person, releasing 1.74+ billion pounds of CO2 emissions annually in the US, and emitting a significant amount of mercury and heavy metals into the atmosphere that end up in our rivers and streams. The resulting "ashes" from pulverized bones consists of calcium phosphate and sodium which can be detrimental to plants and trees, and to marine life when it runs off into fresh waterways. (For more statistical evidence of the environmental impact of various methods, go to the Green Burial Council and the Conservation Burial Alliance. See Cremation Curious for more detailed environmental information regarding all incomplete processes.)
To arrange a cremation, check with your local funeral director or crematory to see if they will accept a body directly from the family. Depending on their answer, you may be able to complete the home funeral through cremation process without hiring professional help unless desired. You will need to locate an alternate container, either online or from a funeral home or the crematory you are using. (See How to Work With Professionals.)
Direct cremation is typically the least expensive disposition option. This means that the body will be removed from the place of death and the family will be alerted when the cremation is complete. It includes an alternate container (usually made of cardboard), transportation within a specific range, sheltering of the deceased until the cremation is completed, the cremation, processing of all necessary forms and documents, and assistance with obituaries.
Cremation Services and Packages
Funeral homes and cremation providers offer packages that include different product and service options beyond what’s provided in a Direct Cremation. Many families choose to cremate and then plan a memorial service or celebration at another time, including interment of the cremated remains in a cemetery. Cremation packages, and products associated with cremated remains, can be arranged independently or with the assistance of a funeral home. Be sure to compare packages to a la carte components to get exactly what you want. (See How to Work with Professionals for more on coordinating directly with crematory staff. Read David’s Story about creating a home-based place of remembrance with cremated remains.)
Witnessed Cremation
Witnessed cremations are exactly what they sound like: one or more family members being present at the facility, with the option of delivering the body into the cremation chamber, pushing the ignition button, and remaining through the end of the process. Not all crematory operators are open to it and not all funeral directors offer this product. Those who provide this by request may charge a small extra fee and may only be available certain days or times of day. For those who choose this option, being in control and present to the end can be impactful and rewarding. (See Bill's Story)
Disposition of Cremated Remains
Disposition by cremation results in an average of 7-10 pounds of pulverized bone in the form of calcium phosphate and sodium. In Oregon, there are no state laws governing where you may keep or scatter cremated remains; the process of cremation is legally considered final disposition and the remains are “personal property” posing no health hazards and no longer governed by rules for the deceased. There are a few considerations:
- Environmental Considerations: Because of their chemical makeup, cremated remains are not fertile and, in fact, deter plant root growth; water scattering is relatively benign.
- Public lands and beaches: City, county, federal, and zoning restrictions may apply to scattering on public lands though generally an informal “don’t ask, don’t tell” practice prevails. The Environmental Protection Agency prohibits scattering on beaches or tidepools; see Burial at Sea for further detail on EPA requirements.
- Private land: Cremated remains cannot be placed on or scattered in other people’s private property without their permission. This includes private property owned by companies (for example, your father’s favorite baseball stadium).
- Cemeteries: While the idea of scattering cremated remains on the grave of another loved one may be comforting, they’re likely to end up in a compost pile after the groundskeepers mow the grass. Burying cremated remains in a cemetery requires the cemetery’s permission.
- Veterans: Any honorably discharged veteran, and their spouse and dependent children, may have their cremated remains placed in a national cemetery or buried at sea at no charge. (See Military Veteran Burial below.)
(See our Create Ceremony page for more on services associated with cremated remains, and How to Go Out Greener for information about products.)
Environmental Impact
Many people are unaware of the environmental impact of cremation, often erroneously believing it to be the greenest disposition method. Cremation burns fossil fuel, usually natural gas, at extremely high temperatures sustained for several hours per person, releasing 1.74+ billion pounds of CO2 emissions annually in the US, and emitting a significant amount of mercury and heavy metals into the atmosphere that end up in our rivers and streams. The resulting "ashes" from pulverized bones consists of calcium phosphate and sodium which can be detrimental to plants and trees, and to marine life when it runs off into fresh waterways. (For more statistical evidence of the environmental impact of various methods, go to the Green Burial Council and the Conservation Burial Alliance. See Cremation Curious for more detailed environmental information regarding all incomplete processes.)
To arrange a cremation, check with your local funeral director or crematory to see if they will accept a body directly from the family. Depending on their answer, you may be able to complete the home funeral through cremation process without hiring professional help unless desired. You will need to locate an alternate container, either online or from a funeral home or the crematory you are using. (See How to Work With Professionals.)
Alkaline Hydrolysis
Learn more about the environmental aspects of processes such as Alkaline Hydrolysis and Natural Organic Reduction by watching the video, Cremation Curious
Oregon is among the first states to have legalized this process for human disposition (it’s commonly used for animals and in medical settings). Interest is growing in this alternative to flame-based cremation because it uses significantly less fossil fuels, without any harmful emissions, with a similar outcome. Also called aquamation, water cremation, biocremation, flameless cremation, and resomation, the process uses water and an alkali solution of potassium hydroxide to dissolve the body within several hours, leaving behind bone fragments and a sterile liquid. The bone fragments are typically ground to a powder similar to cremated remains. The process is available through a funeral home only at this time, not direct-to-consumer. A specific silk shroud compatible with the process is used; families should discuss other desires regarding dressing and containment of the body. Facilities may permit witnessed cremation (see above) but families may need to initiate inquiries about this option. Pricing will vary depending on funeral home arrangements with the provider and their mark-up. (See Disposition of Cremated Remains above and our Create Ceremony and Go Out Greener pages for more on service and product options for the remains.)
Oregon is among the first states to have legalized this process for human disposition (it’s commonly used for animals and in medical settings). Interest is growing in this alternative to flame-based cremation because it uses significantly less fossil fuels, without any harmful emissions, with a similar outcome. Also called aquamation, water cremation, biocremation, flameless cremation, and resomation, the process uses water and an alkali solution of potassium hydroxide to dissolve the body within several hours, leaving behind bone fragments and a sterile liquid. The bone fragments are typically ground to a powder similar to cremated remains. The process is available through a funeral home only at this time, not direct-to-consumer. A specific silk shroud compatible with the process is used; families should discuss other desires regarding dressing and containment of the body. Facilities may permit witnessed cremation (see above) but families may need to initiate inquiries about this option. Pricing will vary depending on funeral home arrangements with the provider and their mark-up. (See Disposition of Cremated Remains above and our Create Ceremony and Go Out Greener pages for more on service and product options for the remains.)
Natural Organic Reduction or Recomposition
In 2021, the Oregon state legislature approved a bill which authorizes the use of Natural Organic Reduction as an approved means of disposition of human remains. The disposition method uses organic materials and livestock composting elements that rely on nature's aerobic decomposition process. Under the new law, remains reduced by natural organic reduction can be spread on private land with the owner’s permission. (Read Briar’s Story to learn about her pioneering role in helping to create this new option in Washington State and Harper Magazine's piece by Lisa Wells, To Be a Field of Poppies: The elegant science of turning cadavers into compost and in this New York Times piece If You Want To Give Something Back to Nature, Give Your Body by Caitlyn Doughty dated December 6, 2022)
Green/Natural Burial
Learn more about The Natural Burial Experience
According to the Green Burial Council, choosing natural burial is a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact that aids in the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health, and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat. Green burial necessitates the use of non-toxic and biodegradable materials, such as caskets, shrouds, and urns, and may use GPS to locate graves rather than stone markers. Natural burial, whether in a hybrid, natural, or conservation cemetery setting, creates opportunities for family-led and family-designed body care and vigil, ceremony, and healing participation by family and friends, often including processionals to the grave, lowering of the body, and closing the grave by shoveling soil. (Read more about Types of Burial and Types of Cemeteries in our Glossary. Read Karen’s story about burying her father in a conservation burial ground. Also visit the Conservation Burial Alliance for more in-depth info.)
To arrange a natural burial, find a green burial cemetery at Green Burial Cemeteries in the US and Canada. You may call directly or hire a professional to make the call for you. (See How to Work With Professionals; Karen's Story, Marcy's Story, Jamie's Story, Mark's Story)
According to the Green Burial Council, choosing natural burial is a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact that aids in the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health, and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat. Green burial necessitates the use of non-toxic and biodegradable materials, such as caskets, shrouds, and urns, and may use GPS to locate graves rather than stone markers. Natural burial, whether in a hybrid, natural, or conservation cemetery setting, creates opportunities for family-led and family-designed body care and vigil, ceremony, and healing participation by family and friends, often including processionals to the grave, lowering of the body, and closing the grave by shoveling soil. (Read more about Types of Burial and Types of Cemeteries in our Glossary. Read Karen’s story about burying her father in a conservation burial ground. Also visit the Conservation Burial Alliance for more in-depth info.)
To arrange a natural burial, find a green burial cemetery at Green Burial Cemeteries in the US and Canada. You may call directly or hire a professional to make the call for you. (See How to Work With Professionals; Karen's Story, Marcy's Story, Jamie's Story, Mark's Story)
Conventional Cemetery Burial
Modern burial in a conventional cemetery usually requires the use of a concrete or fiberglass grave liner and a hard-bottom casket. These requirements are dictated by convention rather than law, and the policies are often set forth in bylaws. Hands-on participation in graveside ceremonies; for example, in processionals, lowering, and closing may be permitted, though families may have to initiate discussion of these opportunities due to conventional cemetery staff's relative unfamiliarity with family involvement. Memorialization is usually limited to monuments and markers installed at a later date which can create another opportunity for a family-led service. Direct or immediate burial means that there is no contact with the deceased or ceremony either at the funeral home or graveside after the body is removed. (Read more about Types of Burial and Types of Cemeteries in our Glossary.)
To arrange a conventional burial, most cemetery operators and sextons will prefer to have a funeral director make arrangements in order to accommodate vault purchases and other scheduling needs. Families making these arrangements on their own will need to be extra diligent about understanding all of the requirements. (See Work with Professionals for more on coordinating directly with cemetery staff and our Create Ceremony page for more on services. Read Mark’s Story about challenging the rules in a historic cemetery to restore the practice of natural burial.)
To arrange a conventional burial, most cemetery operators and sextons will prefer to have a funeral director make arrangements in order to accommodate vault purchases and other scheduling needs. Families making these arrangements on their own will need to be extra diligent about understanding all of the requirements. (See Work with Professionals for more on coordinating directly with cemetery staff and our Create Ceremony page for more on services. Read Mark’s Story about challenging the rules in a historic cemetery to restore the practice of natural burial.)
Military Veteran Burial
Whether or not a funeral director is involved, veterans can access their benefits and have a military burial of either a full body or of cremated remains. For burial in a military cemetery, typically veterans’ families are required to choose between either witnessed burial at the gravesite, or a short ceremony in a cemetery shelter. While funeral directors can coordinate this process, families can take the following steps on their own.
To arrange a military service:
The above information is for an ordinary funeral (not Burial at Sea or high-ranking officers or Medal of Honors), which usually includes two personnel who will perform Taps and fold and present the flag to the designated recipient.
The US Navy will perform full-body or cremated remains burial at sea for active duty or honorably discharged military from any branch of the service at no charge. Family are not allowed to accompany the remains and cannot choose the location. The west coast ports of embarkation for this program are currently San Diego, CA and Bremerton, WA. (See Navy Burial at Sea.)
To order a United States flag for burial purposes, complete this form and submit it by going to https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-27-2008-are.pdf
To arrange a military service:
- Determine the veteran's status:
- Do they have their DD 214 (Record of Military Service)?
- If they do not, go to www.va.gov/records (look for a blue link to the SF 180). Print the blank form and fill it in. Make sure to put the name the veteran used while in the service in Section I #1 and clarify their current name in Section III.
- If the veteran is still living, download the Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA National Cemetery and print out the blank form. Filing this form makes the funeral scheduling go more smoothly.
- After the death: Call National Scheduling at 800-535-1117 to schedule the funeral. They will need the DD 214 scanned or faxed to them. You can also get information at their website at NCA.Scheduling.
- Learn more about what services are available by calling 1-800-535-1117 or go to their website Military Honors. (Funeral directors: call 1-877-645-4667)
- After the National Scheduling office does the scheduling, wait about 5-7 hours, then call the veteran's cemetery the family has chosen to ensure they have the Funeral Honors scheduled. You can search online for these cemeteries, such as: “VA cemetery Roseburg” and all their info will pop up. It’s important to confirm the time/date and any policies they have, such as, “Who provides the flag?”
The above information is for an ordinary funeral (not Burial at Sea or high-ranking officers or Medal of Honors), which usually includes two personnel who will perform Taps and fold and present the flag to the designated recipient.
The US Navy will perform full-body or cremated remains burial at sea for active duty or honorably discharged military from any branch of the service at no charge. Family are not allowed to accompany the remains and cannot choose the location. The west coast ports of embarkation for this program are currently San Diego, CA and Bremerton, WA. (See Navy Burial at Sea.)
To order a United States flag for burial purposes, complete this form and submit it by going to https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-27-2008-are.pdf
Home Burial
State Requirements (ORS 97.460) include:
Other Things to Prepare
Process for Filing Paperwork to Bury a Body on Home Land
(See Jamie's Story, Max's Story, Vera Luna's Story)
- You must be the owner of the property or have consent of all owners of the property.
- You must have the written consent of the local planning commission and meet their requirements.
- You must agree to maintain accurate, permanent records of the burial.
- You must agree to disclose the burial upon sale of the property.
- Burial depth is not stipulated. You may bury at any depth you choose. 3.5 - 4 feet is recommended by the Green Burial Council.
- Burial location is not stipulated. Some distance from known water sources is recommended, as well as distance from electricity, buildings, and state highways. Some states suggest between 25' and 150' setbacks, but this is arbitrary.
- The Burial/Transit Permit must be signed and returned to the County Registrar where the death occurred within 10 days.
- For those who have a cemetery on their property, no county permission is needed if the cemetery is either registered with the Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board or listed on the Oregon State Parks Historic Cemetery List. (See OMCB Burial of Human Remains on Private Property.)
Other Things to Prepare
- Dig a test pit to ascertain the soil make up and identify drainage issues.
- Research covenant deeds separate from local zoning issues.
- Research local health ordinances.
- Draw a plat (record of the location with latitude and longitude coordinates).
- Plan to bury around the 3.5 foot level, with 18 inches of soil above the chest or casket top.
- Consider building a shrouding board with straps for carrying and lowering into the grave.
Process for Filing Paperwork to Bury a Body on Home Land
- Go to How to Complete Paperwork for detailed steps for filing.
(See Jamie's Story, Max's Story, Vera Luna's Story)
Burial at Sea
Regulated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), rules for burial at sea are found here. Families wishing to use this option without hiring a funeral director must follow these steps:
- For full body burials, obtain an appropriate weighted shroud or casket (see specifications): “[a]ll necessary measures shall be taken to ensure that the remains sink to the bottom rapidly and permanently.”
- Arrange for a suitable boat. Full bodies must be buried in water at least 600 feet deep, no closer than three nautical miles from land. Cremated remains can be released into or onto ocean water of any depth as long as it’s three nautical miles from land.
- The location of the ocean burial or scattering must be reported to the EPA Regional Administrator within 30 days of the burial. Find the on-line reporting form here and an FAQ about this reporting requirement here.
- Families handling their own death certificate must have the boat captain sign as Sexton on the second and third pages of the death certificate (which functions as the disposition permit). The person signing as Sexton (or the family member acting as FSP) must return the second page to the County Registrar where the death occurred and retain the third page for their records. Do not submit the death certificate to the EPA.
Body, Organ, and Tissue Donation
Full Body Donation
Donating bodies for medical research is arranged prior to death. To make arrangements, contact a reputable organization, as some receivers do not disclose the final use of the body and its parts. It can reportedly take up to 2 years for cremated remains to be returned to the family.
Organ and Tissue Donation
Organ and tissue donation is arranged prior to the death in most cases, although consent by presumption is also possible. Typical organs and tissue include kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas, intestines, lungs, bones, bone marrow, skin, gums, and corneas. Arrange for the donation prior to death, and indicate your preference in your advance directives as part of your discussion with family and physician.
Forensic Anthropology "Body Farms"
A body farm is a forensic anthropology research facility where decomposition can be studied in a variety of settings. Often re-enactments of unsolved deaths are staged to determine cause of death. They are also used to gain a better understanding of the decomposition process. Arrange for donation prior to death.
Questions to Consider
To arrange for body, organ, or tissue donation, contact:
Organ, Eyes, & Tissue Donations
Donating bodies for medical research is arranged prior to death. To make arrangements, contact a reputable organization, as some receivers do not disclose the final use of the body and its parts. It can reportedly take up to 2 years for cremated remains to be returned to the family.
Organ and Tissue Donation
Organ and tissue donation is arranged prior to the death in most cases, although consent by presumption is also possible. Typical organs and tissue include kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas, intestines, lungs, bones, bone marrow, skin, gums, and corneas. Arrange for the donation prior to death, and indicate your preference in your advance directives as part of your discussion with family and physician.
Forensic Anthropology "Body Farms"
A body farm is a forensic anthropology research facility where decomposition can be studied in a variety of settings. Often re-enactments of unsolved deaths are staged to determine cause of death. They are also used to gain a better understanding of the decomposition process. Arrange for donation prior to death.
Questions to Consider
- Who benefits from this donation?
- Will the body be used to make a profit?
- How much will whole (or full) body donation cost (specifically, what are the costs of transportation and cremation)?
- Will I have the option of donating my corneas?
- Will the body remain in the region of Oregon and Southwest Washington?
- Will the cremated remains be returned to me following the donation process?
- Do you make available a complete listing of programs, companies, or institutions to which you supply tissues?
To arrange for body, organ, or tissue donation, contact:
Organ, Eyes, & Tissue Donations
- Donate Life NorthWest
- Donate Life Northwest has three member programs: Pacific Northwest Transplant Bank, Community Tissue Services, and Lions VisionGift
- OHSU Body Donation Program, 503-494-8302. It may be possible to be both an organ, eye, and tissue donor, as well as a whole body donor through the OHSU Body Donation Program.
- Western University Body Donation Program, 541-259-0256
Other Concerns
Mushroom Suits, Egg-shaped Burial Vessels, and Freeze-Dried Corpses
The Mushroom Suit is a burial garment inoculated with mycelium intended to neutralize toxins in the body, potentially speeding up the natural process of body decomposition and enhancing the available nutrient output. However, there are concerns in the conservation community regarding necessity, viability, and scientific support of the theory it is based on that is also not in concert with the GBC's commitment to natural, unfettered, and unimpeded decomposition. To create an informed opinion about this former art project, we suggest viewing and reading the following: My Mushroom Burial Suit with Jae Rhim Lee, Why Mushroom Suits Won't Work by Dr. Billy Campbell, Eco-Friendly Mushrooms Are on the Rise by Tim and Sarah Crews. You can see an excellent summation in "Mushroom Burial Suit" Called Into Question by Diane Ionescu.
The egg-shaped urn for cremated remains is made of what has been described as "biodegradable plastic", and is meant to be interred in the ground and have a tree of your own choosing planted over it. Given what we know about the biodegradability and nutrient harvest capability of cremated remains, the chances that a tree will grow to maturity proximate to the capsule is unproven. According to the Capsula Mundi website, "Ashes will be held in small egg-shaped bio urns while bodies will be laid down in a fetal position in larger pods." The urn is for sale on the website; however, there does not appear to be a product available for full body burial at this time.
The concept of freeze-drying a body with nitrogen to be vibrated and scattered is reportedly not supported as physically possible by scientists. The Swedish company Promessa was liquidated in 2015 reportedly due to an inability to build a functioning facility or prove viability. the person who pioneered the concept died in 2020, and there is evidence that others are revitalizing these efforts.
The Mushroom Suit is a burial garment inoculated with mycelium intended to neutralize toxins in the body, potentially speeding up the natural process of body decomposition and enhancing the available nutrient output. However, there are concerns in the conservation community regarding necessity, viability, and scientific support of the theory it is based on that is also not in concert with the GBC's commitment to natural, unfettered, and unimpeded decomposition. To create an informed opinion about this former art project, we suggest viewing and reading the following: My Mushroom Burial Suit with Jae Rhim Lee, Why Mushroom Suits Won't Work by Dr. Billy Campbell, Eco-Friendly Mushrooms Are on the Rise by Tim and Sarah Crews. You can see an excellent summation in "Mushroom Burial Suit" Called Into Question by Diane Ionescu.
The egg-shaped urn for cremated remains is made of what has been described as "biodegradable plastic", and is meant to be interred in the ground and have a tree of your own choosing planted over it. Given what we know about the biodegradability and nutrient harvest capability of cremated remains, the chances that a tree will grow to maturity proximate to the capsule is unproven. According to the Capsula Mundi website, "Ashes will be held in small egg-shaped bio urns while bodies will be laid down in a fetal position in larger pods." The urn is for sale on the website; however, there does not appear to be a product available for full body burial at this time.
The concept of freeze-drying a body with nitrogen to be vibrated and scattered is reportedly not supported as physically possible by scientists. The Swedish company Promessa was liquidated in 2015 reportedly due to an inability to build a functioning facility or prove viability. the person who pioneered the concept died in 2020, and there is evidence that others are revitalizing these efforts.
Resources and Online Links
FCA = Funeral Consumer Alliance
GBC = Green Burial Council
NEDA = National End-of-Life Doula Alliance
NHFREA = New Hampshire Funeral Resources, Education & Advocacy
OHSU = Oregon Health & Science University
OMCB = Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board
VA = Veterans Administration
GBC = Green Burial Council
NEDA = National End-of-Life Doula Alliance
NHFREA = New Hampshire Funeral Resources, Education & Advocacy
OHSU = Oregon Health & Science University
OMCB = Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board
VA = Veterans Administration
