While not common, there have been several cases of families receiving the wrong ashes. There are probably many more cases that aren’t found out, given ashes cannot be identified.
Regarding mixing up ashes there are two areas that might be concerning:
- Receiving the wrong person’s ashes
- Having ashes of the wrong person mixed in with the ashes of a loved one (commingled ashes)
Regarding mixing of ashes with others, while this can happen, crematories only incinerate one body at a time. This is both due to law and the fact that cremation equipment is only designed to fit one body. There is some unavoidable commingling of ashes because cremation equipment is not 100% cleaned out between uses, but this should only be at trace levels.
Given the high frequency of cremations, approximately two million per year in the US, occasional errors are an unfortunate possibility. Additionally, it is important to be aware of potential unethical practices in the industry.
Read on to find out how you can reduce the chances of your loved one getting mixed up at the crematory.
Table of Contents
Why You Might Be Concerned About Mixed Ashes
Losing a loved one is an emotional experience. When cremation is chosen families often plan to keep or place the ashes as a form of remembrance, scatter them in a meaningful location as well as possibly using them in a memorial service. Unlike a body, ashes are impossible to identify by sight. The thought they may be from the wrong person, or mixed in with other ashes may be emotionally distressing.
Ashes following cremation do not contain any DNA, making them close to impossible to identify on their own.
Have There Ever Been Cases of Mixed Up Ashes?
Yes, there have been cases of accidental mix ups with ashes from cremations. These cases remain extremely rare, although unlike with dead bodies, it is close to impossible to verify the ashes are the correct ones.
In 2022 a Dallas family filed a lawsuit against Golden Gate Funeral home for allegedly mixing up the ashes of their mother in January 2020. The family claimed mixups with identification and documentation meaning it was impossible to tell if the ashes they were given were their mother’s. The funeral home that once had a reality TV show on TLC was also sued by other families alleging mishandling of remains.
In 2021 another funeral home with a reality TV show (Buried by the Bernards on Netflix) was investigated for mixing up the ashes from two bodies. R. Bernard Funeral Services based in Memphis allegedly delivered a box of ashes to the wrong family.
Dennis McSorley wrote to the New York Times in 2016 that he was given the ashes of his sister after she had died. “Then about a year later, the crematory called to say, “We have your sister’s ashes ready now.” O.K., then whose ashes were given to us a year earlier?”.
In 2008 Jackson Mississippi crematory operator Mark Seepe lost his license after being accused of commingling human remains and giving the wrong ashes to families while dumping others in the trash.
In 2022 there were more than two million cremations in the USA, by the sheer law of large numbers it is likely there were some mistakes. The issue with ashes is that because they are impossible to verify, it is likely more cases have occurred that have not shown up.
Cremation Processes at Cremetaries Shouldn’t Mix Ashes
During the cremation process bodies are not cremated together, so ashes will not generally be mixed. By law bodies must be cremated individually in the US*. Further, the equipment used for cremation, called a retort, only fits one body at a time. The retort chamber is thoroughly cleaned out between uses.
Immediately following cremation the remains are in larger bone fragments and not yet at the “ash” stage. Once the chamber has cooled down, remains are swept out and placed in another machine called a cremulator to pulverize them into granulated particles, which we would recognize as ash.
*There are exceptions in some states where bodies of stillborn or very young twins can be cremated together with parent approval.
Likelihood of Some Residue Mixing
Processes cannot be perfect however and there will inevitably be some tiny portion of ash that gets mixed from different cremations. Cremation chambers are generally used to cremate multiple bodies in a day and do not cool down completely in between uses. While operators can make their best efforts to sweep out all ashes after each cremation, it is not possible to reach every corner to remove 100% of ash. The small amount remaining can be mixed in with future cremations.
How to Tell If Cremation Ashes Have Been Mixed Up
Identifying if ashes have been mixed up cannot be precise because DNA does not survive but there may be some clues:
- Unexpected weight of ashes
- This can be difficult because there is a wide range of possible weights of ashes. However if the person cremated was male and the ashes are very light (e.g. less than 4 pounds), or if they were female and the ashes are very heavy (e.g. more than 8 pounds) this may indicate that the ashes are not the correct person.
- These levels are a guide to what’s common and there are males and females at either extreme of cremains weight.
- Items found in ashes that do not belong
- When ashes are processed, items that are not bone fragments are supposed to be removed. This is done by hand and by using magnets but sometimes items are left behind.
- Things that were left in the body following surgery or dental treatment often get past detection and can end up in the ashes. This includes surgical staples, crowns and bridgework. Pieces of personal items like jewelry, bra clasps and zippers can also make it to the ashes.
- If items are found that definitely shouldn’t have been based on the medical history and personal circumstances then this is a red flag that the ashes may either be from the wrong person or be commingled. Proper identification may be difficult and require forensic experts.
- Problems with paperwork / identification
- If the crematory or funeral home cannot provide proper records including date and time of cremation then this is also a red flag. If the ashes do not contain appropriate identification then this also raises concern.
Identification Process at Crematories
All crematories should have written procedures for establishing a chain of custody, matching the paperwork at each step. An important part of this is a cremation ID tag or disc. Cremation tags are either metal or plastic tags that are attached to the body to be cremated. The tags typically have a barcode or QR code that gets scanned along the way as the body goes through the process. When operators make use of a steel disc, the disc actually goes into the cremation chamber. When you receive the ashes, the metal tag should be inside the container identifying the remains.
There are some certification bodies that administer a pledge system, holding operators to high custody standards. While there is no independent audit of these operators, participation in such a scheme indicates a strong intention of high standards.
What to Do to be Extra Sure the Ashes Aren’t Mixed Up
- Witness the Cremation
- The most assurance you can have is to physically be present at the time of cremation. Not all providers offer this service. Those that do charge extra for this option, sometimes $300-$500 or more. Some operators let you “push the button” to initiate the cremation.
- Conduct an I.D. Viewing
- This is another option to view the body at the crematory, in theory as a double check that the body is the right person. This happens separate to the cremation so it is not as fool-proof as witnessing the cremation itself. An I.D. viewing is generally cheaper than witnessing and sometimes free.
- Deal Directly With the Crematory
- It may not always be feasible to be present at the crematory to check the body. Dealing directly with the crematory can eliminate some points of transfer, rather than going through an additional third party funeral home that doesn’t have its own crematory. However this is no guarantee that there won’t be mishaps.
- Ask to See Procedures
- Ask your funeral service provider or cremation company what the steps are from pick up to cremation. Does the body go directly to the crematory or is it stored someplace first? Are third parties involved and what are the procedures for checking ID along the way.
- Check Google Reviews and News Stories
- What is the rating of the provider and are there any red flags to be aware of. Like any industry there will always be some unhappy customers, but are there any trends or unsatisfactory responses from the owners that look worrying.
- Check the ID Tags
- Ashes should have a metal I.D. tag inside the container identifying the remains. Always check this when receiving the ashes.
How to Be Sure Your Cremains Aren’t Commingled with Others
Choose alkaline hydrolysis instead of flame cremation to be sure you aren’t getting any ashes from others mixed in. The equipment used for water cremation is 100% cleaned out between cycles, unlike for flame cremation. In addition, the water cremation process results in 20%-30% more ashes compared to flame cremation.
Summary
Although errors in the cremation process are rare, understanding this process can help ensure the proper handling of your loved one’s remains. Taking steps such as witnessing the cremation, checking ID procedures, and dealing directly with the crematory can provide reassurance. When choosing a provider, remember to check their reviews and ask about their procedures.