An interesting issue arose recently at Moray Crematorium in Scotland, where a body preserved with high levels of formaldehyde sparked a fire at the crematorium. It appears that the incident, last September, involved a Scottish holidaymaker who had died while on holiday in Bulgaria. The body had been flown back to Scotland for cremation following a post-mortem examination. Apparently, the body had been preserved in levels of formaldehyde far in excess of normal British levels.
Clearly, this can pose a problem for crematoria, owing to the very low flash point of formaldehyde. Are you able to give some indication of the flammability of the new material?
John Rotherham
Bereavement Services Manager
Chesterfield and District Crematorium, Chesterfield Road,
Brimington, Chesterfield S43 1AU
Telephone: 01246 345888
Mobile: 07977 131565
Fax: 01246 345889
E-mail:
john.rotherham@chesterfield.gov.ukwebsite:
www.chesterfield.gov.uk