Crematory Operator Training

The Ohio Funeral Directors Association will host ICCFA’s Crematory Operator Certification on August 31, 2022, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.  The program is a dynamic one-day course, where attendees are encouraged to participate, engage, and ask questions. Attendees will learn how to operate a crematory retort properly and effectively and limit the liability for themselves and their company. This extensive training curriculum includes an explanation of professional and incinerator terminology, a discussion on the principles of combustion and incinerator criteria and design, an in-depth look at the basics of operating cremation equipment and their general maintenance and how to troubleshoot common problems, an overview of cremation and its impact on the environment, examples of standard crematory forms and the importance of record keeping; proper steps for identification, exposure control, and liability concerns and risk management. This program will include 2 hours of Laws and Rules specific to cremation operation in Ohio.

Attendees will receive a comprehensive Operations Manual covering all aspects of crematory operation and maintenance and are required to pass an online, open-book test to receive their certification.

Note: This program is intended for individuals who want to apply and obtain their Crematory Operator Permit.

Class Schedule

8:30 – 9:30 AM:

• • Becoming a Responsible Crematory Operator (Larry)
  • The History of Cremation & Facts & Figures (Larry)

9:30 – 10:00 AM:

• • Being a Responsible Operator (Poul)
  • Overview of Ohio Laws / Rules that Control

10:00 – 10:30 AM:

• • Cremation / Combustion – The Basics (Larry)

10:30 – 10:45 AM:

• • Refreshment Break

10:45 – 11:45 AM:

• • The Anatomy of a Modern Crematory (Larry)
  • Basics of Operation (Larry)

11:45 – 12:15 PM:

• • Operational Issues – The Laws/Rules Ohio (Poul)
  • Discussion of laws that pertain to day-to-day operations

12:15 – 1:15 PM:

• • Lunch

1:15 – 2:15 PM:

• • Case Order (Larry)
  • Typical Protocols vs. Special Cases (Larry)

2:15 – 2:45 PM:

• • Special Cases – Ohio Law (Poul)
  • Discussion of Ohio law as it relates to resolving issues / preventing issues

2:45 – 3:00 PM:

• • Refreshment Break

3:00 – 4:15 PM:

• • Handling of Human Remains (Larry)
  • Cremation and the Environment (Larry)
  • Crematory Maintenance / Safety (Larry)

4:15 – 5:00 PM

• • Crematory Forms (Poul)
  • Ohio laws/rules pertaining to record keeping
  • Crematory Ethics (Poul)
  • Ohio laws/rules pertaining to Ethics

5:00 PM

• • END – Review / Questions & Answers

CE Information

7 Total CE that includes:

• • 4.5 Hours General
  • 2.0 Hours of Ohio Crematory Laws and Rules
  • 0.5 Hour Ethics

Note: CE pending approval with the State of Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Director

Meet Your Instructors

Poul Lemasters, Esq., Lemasters Consulting & ICCFA Cremation Counsel

Larry Stuart, Jr., Raven Plume Consulting

For more information on Cremation Certification Programs, click here.