McCOMB & WAGNER Cremation Authorization

  • CREMATION AUTHORIZATION

IMPORTANT NOTE: Washington State requires that a majority of the legal next of kin authorize cremation. Here is the order the Right to Control Disposition of Remains per RCW68.50.160:

1. Self- A person has the right to control the disposition of his or her own remains without the predeath or postdeath consent of another person. 
2. The Designated Agent of the decedent as directed through a written document signed and dated by the decedent in the presence of a witness. The direction of the designated agent is sufficient to direct the type, place, and method of disposition;
3. The surviving Spouse or state registered domestic partner;
4. The MAJORITY of the surviving Adult Children of the decedent;
5. The surviving Parents of the decedent;
6. The MAJORITY of the surviving Siblings of the decedent;
7. A court-appointed Guardian for the person at the time of the person's death.

NOTICE: Only an Authorizing Agent according to RCW 68.50.160 may authorize cremation and direct the disposition of the cremated remains. Order of Authorizing Agent with Right to Control Disposition of Remains per RCW 68.50.160: 1. Self- A person has the right to control the disposition of his or her own remains without the predeath or postdeath consent of another person. 2. The Designated Agent of the decedent as directed through a written document signed and dated by the decedent in the presence of a witness. The direction of the designated agent is sufficient to direct the type, place, and method of disposition; 3. The surviving Spouse or state registered domestic partner; 4. The MAJORITY of the surviving Adult Children of the decedent; 5. The surviving Parents of the decedent; 6. The MAJORITY of the surviving Siblings of the decedent; 7. A court-appointed Guardian for the person at the time of the person's death.

-----I hereby certify that I am an Authorizing agent to the decedent named below and that I have the legal right or am charged to authorize this cremation and the release of the cremated remains. I hereby swear and affirm under penalty of perjury that to the best of my knowledge there is no other person having a prior right to give this authorization under RCW 68.50.160 and to control the remains of the above named decedent.

-----I hereby request and authorize McComb & Wagner, in accordance with and subject to its Rules and Regulations, to cremate the remains of the deceased person named below (by either flame or alkaline hydrolysis as directed) and to process the remains for disposition.

-----I understand that the policy of McComb & Wagner in accordance with State Law is to secure an identification tag to the decedent’s ankle the moment the Decedent comes into its care at the place of death (hospital, nursing home, residence, etc.). This identification is witnessed by both the releasing person as well as a representative of McComb & Wagner. I hereby attest that I do not require any additional identification of the decedent beyond the ankle identification. In the event that any Authorizing agent should request an identification viewing, then I hereby consent to allow a viewing of the decedent by any individual(s) per the request/permission of any Authorizing agent.

-----I further consent for the crematory to take DNA, a locket of hair, and fingerprints from the decedent as per request of any Authorizing agent. In the event that any Authorizing agent should request to DNA, locket of hair, or fingerprints, then I hereby consent to allow McComb & Wagner to take these items and release them to any individual(s) per the request/permission of any Authorizing agent.

-----I understand that I may request to witness the placement of the decedent into the crematory (for an additional fee). I hereby consent for the crematory to proceed with the cremation of the Decedent at a time and date as its work permits without any further notification to the Authorizing Agent, unless otherwise instructed in written form. In the event that any Authorizing agent should request to witness the placement of the decedent into the crematory, then I hereby consent to allow the witness of cremation by any individual(s) as per the request/permission of any Authorizing agent.

-----I understand that I may request to have a gathering service such as a viewing or funeral where the decedent is present (for an additional fee). I agree that I must provide written instructions about the date and time of this gathering service to McComb & Wagner. Upon completion of the gathering service, I hereby consent for the crematory to proceed with the cremation of the Decedent at a time and date as its work permits without any further notification to the Authorizing Agent, unless otherwise instructed in written form. In the event that any Authorizing agent should request to have the decedent present at a gathering service, then I hereby consent to allow the decedent to be present as per the request/permission of any Authorizing agent.

-----I understand that due to the nature of the cremation process, any valuable material, including dental alloys, may either be destroyed or not be recoverable. Any personal possessions accordingly have either been removed or may be destroyed. I hereby authorize the crematory to dispose of, at its discretion, all body prosthesis, bridgework, dental metal, or similar items removed from the Cremated Remains. I further state that if the decedent has had a heart pacemaker, radiation producing device, or any other life sustaining device implanted which could be explosive, I have instructed the funeral director or others to remove it before cremation. I also agree that in the event of my failure to notify the funeral director or any others responsible for the removal of such a device, I will be liable for any damages to the Crematory and/or injury to crematory personnel. I do authorize the removal of the pacemaker or other implanted device.

-----I understand that all cremations are performed individually. Cremation is performed by placing the body, which must be on a rigid-combustible cremation container or prepared hardwood casket, within the cremation chamber. For standard flame cremation, the temperature is raised to approximately 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, and the body is totally and irreversibly destroyed by prolonged exposure to intense heat and direct flame. For Alkaline hydrolysis- water, alkaline chemicals, heat, and sometimes pressure and agitation are used to accelerate the natural decomposition, leaving bone fragments and a neutral liquid called effluent. The decomposition that occurs in alkaline hydrolysis is the same as that which occurs during burial, just sped up dramatically by the chemicals. The effluent is sterile, and contains salts, sugars, amino acids and peptides. There is no tissue and no DNA left after the process completes. This effluent is discharged with all other wastewater. The cremated remains are then mechanically processed. Once processed, the cremated remains are then encased in a temporary container or specified urn/container. The Crematory makes a prudent effort to remove and recover all of the cremated remains from the crematory chamber, processing equipment and other tools or containers.

-----I further agree that I will indemnify and hold harmless McComb & Wagner, their officers and employees from any liability, costs, expenses, or claims resulting from this authorization, cremation and/or disposition, including permanent disposition made of cremated remains which have been unclaimed for a period of (90) days or more. If disposition of the cremated remains is still undetermined or if they remain unclaimed beyond (90) days, I authorize the Funeral Home and/or the Crematory to dispose of them in any lawful manner they designate pursuant to WAC 308-48-760. 

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CREMATION AUTHORIZATION
ADDITIONAL SIGNATURES (As Needed)
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