Military considering new cremation policies

[Terri]

By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press
May 12, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon is recommending changes in the handling of troops' remains, after it was revealed that a crematorium contracted by the military handles both human and animal cremations.

A military official said there have been no instances or charges that human and pet remains were mixed. But officials are now recommending that troops' remains be incinerated only at facilities that are dedicated entirely to humans, in order to avoid any appearance of a problem. Or, officials said, families can opt to have a relative's remains sent to a local funeral home for cremation, which would be paid for by the military.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates believed the earlier situation was ''insensitive and entirely inappropriate for the dignified treatment of our fallen,'' said Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell.

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