EU laws 'won't end open casket tradition'
The Irish tradition of the open casket at wakes and funerals will be unaffected by new EU laws, funeral directors were assured today.
Martin Territt, director of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, said the Biocides Directive would not bring an end to the tradition.
Some chemical products were being withdrawn from the marketplace from September but formaldehyde and other embalming fluids would remain on the market until at least 2010.
“The European Union is not trying to kill off the Irish wake,” Mr Territt said.
“Still less is there any risk to post mortems and medical research, despite some alarmist claims to the contrary. Formaldehyde and other embalming fluids will remain on the market until at least 2010.”
Mr Territt said a scientific evaluation of embalming chemicals would begin in late 2008.
“This evaluation will assess any risks to funeral directors and their staff in the use of embalming chemicals,” he said.
Mr Territt said these points were discussed at today’s meeting with the Irish Association of Funeral Directors.
He said another meeting between the funeral directors and commission officials in Brussels would be arranged to satisfy any remaining concerns.
An EU Biocides Directive was introduced to provide a higher level of protection for humans, animals and the environment.
Biocides, which are chemical preparations containing active materials capable of controlling or destroying living organisms, include pesticides, drinking water disinfectants, preservatives, embalming and taxidermist fluids.
The embalming fluids can remain in use until at least 2010 as they were already being used when the directive came into force in 2000.
Formaldehyde and other embalming fluids would only be withdrawn from the market in 2010 if they are found to pose significant health risks to funeral directors and their staff.
The Irish Government can apply for a derogation to keep using the substances if it considers them essential to funeral traditions.
