X-Message-Number: 28148 From: Subject: Re: British Columbia Anti-Cryonics Law Update Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 21:34:13 US/Eastern An cryonicist living in Burnaby, BC has received the following letter from Janet Ricciuti, which sounds less friendly than what I have heard before. She has apparently only heard from the cryonics organizations and "one or two of their lobbying members". And she says " there has been virtually zero requests for these services", which may mean that Chuck Grodzicki is the "virtual" in the "virtually zero". It also indicates that my "letter-writing campaign" has not been much of a success. Her tone does not bode well for the upcoming meeting on July 6th. If anyone is prepared to write, I suggest that the emphasis be on the fact that cryonics organizations and cryonicists do not hold funeral directors liable. And that hold-harmless agreements are available if that will make the funeral director more comfortable. -- Ben Best ********************************************************** Dear Jason, There is no law in BC that prohibits a funeral director from preparing and transferring human remains for cryogenic suspension. The Funeral Service Association of BC has a province wide toll free line. We receive approximately 350 - 450 calls per month. I have responded to these telephone calls for the past 15 years and I have never received one telephone call from either a consumer wishing to obtain these services from a funeral director or a funeral director requesting information about purchasing the appropriate supplies or equipment to provide such a service. The only enquiries and calls I have received are from the very active lobbyists representing both the US Cryonics institutes and one or two of their lobbying members. I have repeatedly advised them that I have been advised by the province's regulating authority that there is no law in BC under the CIFSA that prohibits a funeral director from preparing human remains for transfer to either one of the cryogenic institutes. Whether or not a funeral home offers such a service is strictly a business decision that they as business owners are free to make. Since there has been virtually zero requests for these services, I would think funeral providers would find it hard to justify the inherent costs associated with providing such a service including the purchase of a heart-lung resuscitator; free radical inhibitors; nitric oxide synthase inhibitors; anticoagulants; pressors etc. Future liability issues may also be a concern whereby should resuscitation be attempted and not successful could the funeral home be liable for the preparation services they provided? Should you require further information regarding the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act, you should contact the regulating authority directly. Their website is www.bpcpa.ca Regards, Janet Ricciuti, Executive Director Funeral Service Association of B.C. Suite 211 - 2187 Oak Bay Ave. Victoria, B.C. V8R 1G1 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=28148