Who is primarily responsible for placing cremated remains in a temporary urn?

The crematory operator is primarily responsible for placing cremated remains in a temporary urn. This responsibility falls within the scope of the crematory operator's role, which includes managing the cremation process and handling the remains thereafter. The operator is trained specifically in the procedures related to cremation and the respectful handling of cremated remains, ensuring that they are placed correctly and safely into temporary urns for retrieval by family members or funeral services.

While family members may be involved in decisions regarding the care of the remains and may express wishes about how they should be handled, the actual placement of the remains into the temporary urn is a technical task that requires the operator's expertise and adherence to procedural protocols. The funeral director plays a role in coordinating with families and managing the overall service, but they typically do not handle the cremated remains directly, as that is the responsibility of the crematory operator. The embalmer's role is distinct, focusing primarily on the preparation of the body for viewing and disposition, rather than handling cremated remains.