If your loved one had to have an orthopaedic implant during their lifetime you may wonder what happens to it after cremation. Until recently it was accepted practice to take the implant from the remains and place it with other implants until there was a sufficient amount of metal to dispose of it all in the grounds of the crematorium. This has become less acceptable on environmental grounds over the years and on the Continent the recycling of metals that are in the cremated remains, following the cremation, have been recycled for a number of years. The metals used for implants are special medical grade stainless steel, titanium and cobalt chrome all produced from non-renewable resources. Over time these resources will be depleted and such metals will become less available for such operations in the future. The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) has identified a means of collecting metals from participating crematoria throughout the UK and Bramcote Bereavement Services have decided to look to the future and the protection of our environment. In future metals will be collected by the ICCM and recycled. Any monies that they may collect in this process will then be donated to bereavement related charities. We hope you agree that this not only protects the environment, but provides potential benefits for the living. Bramcote Bereavement Services will not do this without your permission. We have amended our ‘Authority for the Disposal of Cremated Remains’ form to allow you to opt out of the scheme for recycling metals. If you do not wish the metals to be recycled then we are happy to return them to you, or leave them in the cremated remains. If they are left in the remains, however, the remains will need to be buried in a grave rather than scattered in the grounds. Other metals may also be collected at the same time including ferrous metals, mainly from the nails in the coffin, and some very small granules of precious metals. These precious metals usually vaporise in the cremator, but there are sometimes very small granules that may be left. Most of these will end up in the remains but some may be left behind in the cremation equipment. Some questions and answers have been included that may help in your decision.
However, if you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Bereavement Services Office.