Should gold teeth be removed or not? Why?
Prior to cremation, the mortuary staff have to prepare the decedent’s body. This entails determining which items may be removed from the person, according to the family’s request. It could be anything from a prosthetic limb, pacemaker, jewelry, or even gold fillings. Whether gold fillings should be removed or not is the decision of the next of kin.
The gold in the teeth is a type of dental restoration material that could contain pure gold itself, gold alloys, or gold-platina alloy. Although in some countries gold teeth are a status symbol, in the United States, using gold for making crowns, bridges, dentures, and other types of dental filling is quite rare. Dental practitioners have highly specialized training for this procedure and the material itself may be expensive.
The Neptune Society is a leading provider of cremation services in the country. Your loved one will be given utmost care from the beginning of the cremation process until the end. The professional staff are well-trained and they understand the concerns of families and relatives in regards to this delicate procedure. If you’re concerned about gold fillings, please inform the Neptune Society staff prior to cremation so they can explain what needs to be done to help facilitate the process.
Will the gold teeth be returned to the family?
To obtain gold fillings, a family must secure the services of a private dentist to remove the teeth prior to cremation. A private dentist most likely will charge a fee to provide these services. Neptune Society will provide a private room or area where the dentist can perform the procedure necessary to remove the teeth/fillings. Neptune Society will NOT remove teeth or fillings prior to cremation under any circumstances. Neptune Society also cannot guarantee that gold fillings will make it through the cremation process and be retrievable. Therefore, the best guarantee to secure any gold fillings would be to have a dentist remove them prior to cremation.
Unlike a traditional funeral or burial, cremation is an option that requires unique decisions concerning a deceased family member. Therefore it is important to either pre-plan or discuss when a death has occurred on what to do with belongings and items of importance, such as gold fillings or jewelry. Remember that anything placed in the cremation chamber (retort) will be destroyed. After the ashes are given to the family, anything else remaining will be disposed of without the possibility of being recovered, according to the applicable laws. If in doubt, the Neptune Society will answer all your questions regarding the process of cremation and will advise you on your concerns. Simply contact us by filling out this form or call (800) 637-8863. If you’d like assistance prearranging your final wishes, please click here to contact us.
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The Neptune Society is the nation’s oldest and largest provider of affordable cremation services. Whether you have an immediate need or want to plan cremation services in advance, we are always available to assist you and your family.
Call 1-800-NEPTUNE (800-637-8863) today or contact us online to learn more.
