Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Saturday
Interview With Mollie Fleeman
Aired February 23, 2002 - 12:49 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: If cremation is one of your last wishes, it's no wonder why you may be rethinking that decision right now. To discuss how the process is supposed to work, we're joined by Mollie Fleeman, who is the director of the Professional Licensing Board in Georgia -- thanks for joining us.
MOLLIE FLEEMAN, DIRECTOR, PROFESSIONAL LICENSING BOARD: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Well this kind of business practice seems to defy all logic. But then as we learn more about the fact that Tri-State Crematory and others that do business like it are not subjected to state licensed inspections, we find out that this really may not be an anomaly after all, right?
FLEEMAN: Here in Georgia the legislature had given authority to our funeral services board to license and inspect crematories that were owned by a funeral director or a funeral establishment and that were open to the public. There may be a handful that do not meet that definition. And, no, they were not inspected nor licensed by the funeral services board. I understand that there are many states that have no regulation of crematories.
WHITFIELD: Right.
FLEEMAN: That (UNINTELLIGIBLE) here in Georgia...
WHITFIELD: In fact, I understand there are about 10 states that have no laws on the books whatsoever. But now, a lot of those states are beginning to rethink their policies that perhaps they need to have some sort of mandated inspections of all crematories, even those who don't do -- have direct contact with the public.
FLEEMAN: That's what I understand too. And a matter of fact, there's legislation that's been introduced already here in Georgia that would require the full inspection, full licensing of all crematories.
WHITFIELD: And when we say Tri-State didn't have direct contact with the public -- because some people may not really understand what we mean by that -- it simply means -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- that the crematory would go retrieve the bodies from the funeral homes, correct? As opposed to customers coming to the crematory and doing business that way. FLEEMAN: That's what I understand also. A family would contact or go to funeral establishment, funeral home, deal with a funeral director. And those are licensed by the state and inspected by the state. And then the funeral director would make other arrangements...
WHITFIELD: So what's the recommendation?
FLEEMAN: ... such as...
WHITFIELD: What's the recommendation? What should we do when, you know, we're trying to make the right decisions for our loved ones? How do we go about selecting the right type of crematory, asking the right questions, noticing the right kind of red flags?
FLEEMAN: Well it's very important for families to have information about the process. They can certainly -- and they need to -- check into the funeral establishment that you are going to deal with. Check into the funeral director. Both of them have to be licensed here in Georgia. They have met minimum qualifications and continuing qualifications for them to perform these types of services.
We in Georgia have a Web site where you can get immediate information, immediate access, to the status of the license of a funeral establishment or funeral director. You can see when the license was issued. You can see if they've had any disciplinary actions in regard to them.
Also, when you go to a funeral establishment, ask to see that license. Ask to also see the last inspection report. More and more funeral establishments in Georgia have their own crematories. If you go to a funeral establishment and you're dealing with a funeral director, a family needs to ask if they want to have a cremation where is this cremation going to occur. I believe that a lot of families just assume that it was going to occur right at that establishment, and that's not been true.
They need to ask is it -- are you directly going to be doing this service? And they need to also -- and I know this is very difficult, but it eases their mind -- ask to see the crematory. Actually see it yourself. And a lot of the professional associations, cremation associations, they actually recommend that a family or a family representative view the beginning of a cremation.
WHITFIELD: OK, thanks very much.
FLEEMAN: All of that information...
WHITFIELD: Is very important, I understand. Thanks very much. It's important to ask those questions even though it's a very difficult time for most people to ask those questions. But that's good advice. Thanks very much, Mollie Fleeman, for joining us now.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
