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J R Soc Med 2002;95:353-355
doi:10.1258/jrsm.95.7.353
© 2002 Royal Society of Medicine

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J R Soc Med 2002;95:353-355
© 2002 The Royal Society of Medicine

Pacemaker explosions in crematoria: problems and possible solutions

Christopher P Gale BSc MRCP     Graham P Mulley DM FRCP  

Department of Elderly Medicine, Beckett Wing, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK

Correspondence to: Dr CP Gale, Academic Unit of Molecular Vascular Medicine, G-Floor, Martin Wing, The General Infirmary at Leeds, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK E-mail: medcpg{at}leeds.ac.uk

The number of artificial cardiac pacemakers is increasing, as is the number of bodies being cremated. Because of the explosive potential of pacemakers when heated, a statutory question on the cremation form asks whether the deceased has a pacemaker and if so whether it has been removed. We sent a questionnaire to all the crematoria in the UK enquiring about the frequency, consequences and prevention of pacemaker explosions. We found that about half of all crematoria in the UK experience pacemaker explosions, that pacemaker explosions may cause structural damage and injury and that most crematoria staff are unaware of the explosive potential of implantable cardiac defibrillators. Crematoria staff rely on the accurate completion of cremation forms, and doctors who sign cremation forms have a legal obligation to provide such information.


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