CREMATOR REQUIREMENTS

LINK: DA PASSED BY LAUNCESTON CITY COUNCIL

Context   The Development Application above serves as a demonstration for an element of a component of Launceston's cultural reality where  the respectful disposal of the dead has become almost entirely secular matter and that any spirituality associated with the passing of life event takes place elsewhere.

Here the site carries the cultural cargo of the industrialisation of life and the possibility of distancing oneself  from the making, the engagement with the rites of passage and the narratives that permeate our placedness. 

In Tasmania, crematoriums must adhere to specific requirements outlined in the Burial and Cremation Act 2019 and the Burial and Cremation Regulations 2015, according to the Department of Premier and Cabinet. These regulations cover aspects like establishment, management, safety, and the handling of remains. 

Here's a breakdown of key specifications:

1. Establishment and Management:

• Approval:

  Anyone intending to manage a crematorium must apply to the regulator for approval, according to the Department of Premier and Cabinet - TASMANIA. 
• Notice:

  A minimum of one month's written notice must be provided to the Director of Local Government when proposing to manage a crematorium. 
• Security:

  Crematoriums must have measures in place to ensure the security of deceased persons and cremated remains. 

2. Equipment and Facilities:

• Cremation Chambers:

  Cremation chambers must be of a type that is approved for use in crematoria and meet specific temperature requirements (760-1150 degrees Celsius). 
• Ventilation:

  Cremation chambers must have adequate ventilation systems to remove exhaust gases. 
• Cooling and Storage:

  Body preparation rooms must have refrigerated storage facilities to maintain temperatures between 1° and 5°C. 
• Water Supply and Sewerage:

  Mortuaries must be connected to a permanent water supply and a water carriage sewerage system. 

3. Handling of Remains:

• Identification: Deceased persons must be properly identified before and after cremation. 
• Storage: Cremated remains must be kept separately and securely. 
• Retention and Disposal: Crematorium managers must follow reasonable instructions from the senior next of kin regarding the disposal of cremated remains. 

4. Safety and Hygiene:

• Cleaning and Disinfection: Crematoriums must be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
• Protective Clothing: Protective clothing and cleaning equipment must be provided to employees.
• Infection Hazards: Information on infection hazards must be provided to employees. 

5. Coffins and Fittings:

• Non-Combustible Fittings: Any non-combustible fittings on coffins must be removed before cremation.
• Handles: Coffins must have handles for safe handling. 

6. Religious and Cultural Practices:

• No Hindrance: Crematorium managers must not hinder or disturb religious or cultural ceremonies. 

7. Regulations and Act Compliance:

• Burial and Cremation Act 2019: This Act outlines the legal framework for crematorium management. 
• Burial and Cremation Regulations 2015: These regulations provide detailed requirements for various aspects of crematorium operations, according to Tasmanian Legislation Online. 
• Mortuary Regulations: Tas Part H112 of the NCC (National Construction Code) outlines specific requirements for mortuaries, which include elements that apply to crematoriums, according to the National Construction Code | NCC. 

EXAMINER PRESS ARTICLE CLICK HERE

7

Your comment was submitted