California Approves Operation of Matthews International Bio Cremation System
Source: RedOrbit
APOPKA, Fla., Aug. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — On August 17, the California Department of Public Health (DPH) issued an approval letter and permit to the UCLA Donated Body Program for the first alkaline hydrolysis unit in the state of California. The approval includes the reduction of human remains and the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms found in human remains. Matthews International Cremation Division has the exclusive rights to market and service the BIO-Cremator in North America.
California State Assembly Member Jeff Miller (R-Corona) has been working the past three years to authorize the process of alkali hydrolysis for the cremation of human remains in the funeral industry, but the legislation appears dead for the session. Miller’s bill, (AB-1615), passed the full Assembly by a vote of 76-1 and the bill passed the Senate Committees on Environmental Quality and Business, Professions and Economic Development unanimously. The bill is now sitting in the Senate Appropriations Committee where passage seems unlikely due to funding. AB 1615 requires the applicant to prove compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and orders, and prohibits the bureau from issuing a hydrolysis facility license until the bureau is satisfied that the public interest, human health, and environmental quality will be served by the applicant.
With four times less carbon impact and one eighth (1/8) of the energy usage, Bio Cremation offers environmental advantages to traditional flame cremation. The process uses 95 percent water and 5 percent alkali instead of direct flame and fossil fuels to cremate. Upon completion of the cremation cycle, just as in a traditional flame cremation, the ashes are placed in an urn and given back to the family.
Paul Rahill, President, Matthews International Cremation Division, stated, “We are very impressed with the body of knowledge generated by the UCLA permit application process and the confidence demonstrated by the DPH permit that our process is safe to operate. We at Matthews Cremation Division have been a leader in the development of cremation systems and environmental technology since 1946, and the BIO-Cremator is just one more example of our dedication to safe, energy efficient and environmentally responsible technology.”
For more information about Bio Cremation technology, visit www.BioCremationInfo.com.
For more information on Matthews Cremation, visit www.MatthewsCremation.com.
About Matthews Cremation
Matthews Cremation is a division of Matthews International Corporation (NASDAQ: MATW) located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Matthews Cremation is a total solution for cremation products and services with a passion for the environment. We are the global leader in cremator sales, emission filtration, parts/supplies, memorial products, service and repair. Meeting world standards such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and European Conformity (CE), our leadership extends to “Cremation Green” technology aimed at environmentally-driven solutions.
Media Contact:
Lesley Waldsmith
614-460-1395
lwaldsmith@hafenbrack.com
