cremating.soldiers

cremating.soldiers




The military already has specific procedures for disposing of contaminated remains. But cremation
A final decision is expected within weeks. If cremation is approved as a means of disposing of
region, how the ashes would be sorted and returned to their families, and how the Pentagon would
address expected cultural and religious objections by some service members.
Pentagon officials said contamination from smallpox or anthrax could pose a significant risk in
has never been an authorized means of dealing with remains in the battlefield.
the event of mass casualties.
A policy review under way at the Pentagon is looking at authorizing cremation because of concerns
and safety of the living.
contaminated remains, the commanders in the region would make a decision on when it would be
It is not yet clear if the military would operate some sort of crematorium facility in the
used.
that in a massive attack military mortuary processes could be overwhelmed and not equipped to
If the policy change is approved, cremation would be used as a last resort to protect the health
deal with the health risk posed by contaminated remains.