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News updates for the week of October 13, 2010

Paul Rahill of Matthews Cremation
Answers Questions Regarding
Alkaline Hydrolysis

Interview by Ron Hast

RonHast: What is the agenda of Matthews regarding Alkaline Hydrolysis (AH) equipment and service?

Paul Rahill: Matthews Cremation Division signed an exclusive representation agreement with Resomation (www.resomation.com) in October of 2008 for all 50 USA states with options on other countries in our global service area. It was and is our intent to bring this “concept” to the commercial funeral market by helping to refine the technology and adapt it to the needs and practices of today’s consumer and the death care professionals that serve them. This refined process we are calling Bio Cremation.

RH: Why call it Bio Cremation?

PR: It was our belief that the definition of cremation (reducing human remains to their basic elements) closely fit this process. We successfully lobbied first the Florida Legislature (passed and signed June/July 2009) and then a few other states.

RH: How do you propose a funeral director to explain (with honesty and dignity) the benefits of this choice?

PR: It is our belief that full and complete transparency is key in presenting this new process. We have had consumer research conducted by an independent testing group and have begun to develop educational tools (printed and Web sites) to inform and educate the consumer, media, legislative, and regulatory and industry professionals.

RH: What, if any, are the apparent downsides of this process?

PR: Downsides would include capital cost to install and bring to local market a quality Bio Cremation system. While the cremation equipment itself is less than $275,000, with all aspects of installation, civil and environmental engineering as well as a complete marketing and Web program, the cost is closer to $400,000 “all in.” Another potential downside is the understanding of the “post process” treatment of the Bio Cremation water. For a 150-lb. person, there are approximately 145 gallons of process water to recycle. In the Bio Cremation process, we use approximately 120 gallons of fresh water, five to seven gallons of potassium hydroxide (KOH) and the approximate balance comes from the hydrolyzed human remains. Although these same fluid issues are typically never discussed with embalming, we felt it would be best to be transparent and prepare an understandable description and accompanying graphic to address the issues rather than hide from them. Today’s consumer is smarter and more interested, especially if it involves the environment.

RH: What are the comparative costs for purchase and installation of AH equipment compared to contemporary cremation equipment?

PR: Traditional “flame-based” cremation equipment, marketing and installation $150,000 Bio Cremation “water-based” cremation equipment, marketing and installation $400,000

RH: What is the value to the consumer of AH versus cremation?

PR: Perceived value is a great question. We feel today’s cremation consumer is looking for value and often rejects the areas where we as the death care leaders tried to force value. To many, especially those who look upon this final transition as “disposal,” Bio Cremation will likely offer no additional value over direct cremation or minimum burial. However, to those who are looking to a gentler water-based transition from body to bones (B2B) or those who are looking to minimize their final carbon signature on this earth, or those who are not comfortable with the slow decomposition process of burial (microorganisms) or the flame-based decomposition of traditional cremation, there could be value placed in these areas.

RH: What remains following AH disposition, and what is the process of inurnment?

PR: At the completion of the Bio Cremation process, typically two to three hours, the Bio Cremated remains are left. These are (very) white bone fragments just as in flame-based cremation. Bio Cremated remains are typically whiter due to the complete elimination of carbon residue often found in flame-cremated remains. The Bio Cremation unit actually retains more bone fragments than flame-based cremation systems due to the gentler process and stainless steel cremation tray used. The quantity of cremated remains may be as much as 20 percent more. Upon completion of the process, the damp cremated remains are dried either in the cremation chamber or in an external drying unit. Processing, packaging and inurnment is the same as with flame-based remains.

RH: Would family participation be appropriate prior to or during the AH process?

PR: Family participation before, during and after would be the same as with burial or flame-based cremation. While a silk cremation container/rental insert is utilized for this process rather than a cellulose-based material, a rental casket may still be used and services that the family desires should be encouraged.

RH: What is the time factor for the AH process?

PR: Cremation time is similar to cremation, two to three hours based on size.

RH: Would clothing be appropriate for the decedent to be placed into the AH equipment? Is there a necessity to remove clothing and personal memorabilia?

PR: Only protein-based materials will be broken down in the Bio process. Silk, leather and wool would be the materials of choice for any clothing or gowns.

RH: Do full skeletal remains exist upon completion of the process? Is mechanical reduction necessary similar to the final process of cremation?

PR: See answer to earlier question: What remains following AH disposition, and what is the process of inurnment?

RH: What is the appearance of the final inurned remains?

PR: See answer to earlier question: What remains following AH disposition, and what is the process of inurnment?

RH: Would AH equipment be typically installed in the average funeral home?

PR: The Bio equipment can be easily installed in most any FH location. However, this equipment makes more sense for larger users or a co-op arrangement.

RH: What are the dimensions of the AH unit compared to a cremation retort?

PR: The main Bio Cremation unit is approximately 80 percent that of a similar flame-based cremation unit. Support equipment for the Bio Cremation unit would require additional space, bringing that total to 150 percent the space required for traditional cremation equipment. However, depending on local codes, additional components could increase that number closer to 200 percent of typical size requirements.

RH: Is any special plumbing or electrical installations necessary?

PR: While fuel, air and electrical connections are significantly less with Bio Cremation, connections for water and wastewater are required. All connections should be typical commercial connections.

RH: What is the approximate hard cost per body disposition with AH?

PR: Based on buying top-of-the-line Bio Cremation equipment and performing 500 Bio Cremations per year, we would estimate the direct operating costs (excluding labor) to be around $25. A “bumper to bumper” everything-included service contract would cost $15 per cremation. And the capital cost for the equipment, engineering, approvals and complete installation, $160 per cremation.

RH: Are any parts of the human remains processed to likely enter the sewer system?

PR: There is no DNA remaining or entering the waste water system, only a sterile effluent comprised of 82-percent fresh water, 4-percent KOH and 14-percent contribution from the hydrolyzed human remains.

RH: Is there any apparent technology to operate AH equipment and possible licensure?

PR: The equipment is fully automatic and computer-driven. The human remains are automatically weighed and the correct amounts of water, catalyst, heat and pressure are applied and monitored. Licensing would be through the same agencies as traditional cremation equipment. Environmental permits and approvals would come from the water resource divisions rather than air quality with flame-based cremation equipment.

RH: Based on time involved per case, and investment in AH equipment — what is the cost compared to traditional retort cremation?

PR: Operating costs should be slightly less with Bio Cremation and comprehensive (all inclusive) maintenance costs about the same. Equipment and installation costs would be approximately three times that of flame-based equipment.

RH: What is the primary attraction to the AH concept versus traditional cremation?

PR: Gentler process, significantly lower carbon footprint or signature, “more attractive” decomposition option

RH: If economics are a concern (requests for lowest cost simplicity disposition), is AH disposition competitive?

PR: Bio Cremation is not intended for the lowest cost disposal shopper, but rather those looking for an alternative based on the process or environmental impact.

RH: What would be the average complete cost of equipment and installation of an AH unit?

PR: “All in” approximately $400,000.

RH: Are there any environmental issues with the AH process?

PR: Bio has a friendlier environmental signature and typically only requires approval from the local authority handling water recycling.

RH: Does the AH process require handling of hazardous materials?

PR: The catalyst used in Bio Cremation is potassium hydroxide, a chemical commonly used in household products and cosmetics. This material is delivered to the facility by a licensed distributor and special handling is required. However, the chemical is automatically added to the water in the process by a computer-driven pump and does not require handling by the operator. Training of the operators will include any special precautions recommended by local, state and federal authorities as with any material used around a commercial business.

RH: Is intense heat involved with the AH process?

PR: The system uses heat from steam and the exothermic reaction of KOH, water and the remains to generate approximately 350° F temperature.

RH: What is the evacuation process for heat (steam) and water?

PR: Once the Bio Cremation process is complete, the system automatically cools down the water and automatically releases it from the cremation chamber and performs a secondary rinse of the bone fragments with cool water. The effluent either enters a brief post treatment or continues on to the local water authority for processing and recycling.