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ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: People living with life-limiting illnesses and their family caregivers consistently emphasize the importance of preparing for imminent death, with planned funerals being a common aspect of this preparation. Few studies have described the funeral rituals or post-mortem preferences of patients with cancer. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the percentage of patients with cancer who wish to be cremated and to identify the factors associated with this preference. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted at Barretos Cancer Hospital. METHODS: A total of 220 patients with cancer completed a Sociodemographic and Clinical Questionnaire, the Duke University Religiosity Index, and burial or cremation preferences. Binary Logistic Regression was performed to identify independent variables associated with cremation. RESULTS: Of the 220 patients, 25.0% preferred cremation and 71.4% preferred burial. Talks about death with family or close friends in their daily life (odds ratio, OR = 2.89; P = 0.021), patients that answered "other" (unsure, tends not be true and not true) for religious beliefs are what really lie behind my whole approach to life (OR = 20.34; P = 0.005), and education 9 to 11 years (OR = 3.15; P = 0.019) or ≥ 12 years (OR = 3.18; P = 0.024) were associated with cremation preference. CONCLUSION: Most patients with Cancer in Brazil prefer burial after death. Discussions about death, religious beliefs and involvement, and educational level seem to influence the preference for cremation. A deeper understanding of ritual funeral preferences and their associated factors may guide policies, services, and health teams in promoting the quality of dying and death.

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This article presents a forensic case of an unusual illegal cremation of a person using a process colloquially known as the "microwave oven" practice in Brazil. The microwave process involves two actions: placing the victim in a tire stack and then setting the structure on fire using flammable substances to accelerate the progression. A similar practice, identified as "necklacing", has also been reported in other countries such as South Africa. This report presents a case of microwave oven cremation of a body found in a rural area of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The forensic work helped determine the biological profile and identity of the victim using radiological comparisons. Although the microwave oven cremation practice is rare, it can impose challenges for investigators. Therefore, fully understanding this practice can be helpful to the academic and forensic communities.

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Com o aumento de mortos pela pandemia de COVID-19, surge o desafio relacionado aos serviços funerários, além da identificação de corpos. Municípios têm editado normas, limitando funerais e propondo sepultamentos coletivos. Quanto aos não identificados, procedimentos excepcionais foram estabelecidos pelo Conselho Nacional de Justiça e Ministério da Saúde. Por meio de pesquisa exploratória, este estudo analisou o dilema entre garantir a sanidade pública e a dignidade da pessoa humana. Propõe-se o uso de métodos primários de identificação e sepultamentos que permitam a individualização dos corpos.(AU)

With the increase in deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the challengearises related to funeral services, in addition to the identification of bodies. Municipalities have been issuing regulations, limiting funerals and proposing collective burials. Brazilian National Council of Justice and the Ministry of Health establishedexceptional procedures for the unidentified patients. Through exploratory research, this article analyzed the dilemma between guaranteeing public health and the dignity of the human person. This study proposes to use primary methods of identification and burials that allow the individualization of bodies.(AU)

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BACKGROUND: Mercury in dental amalgam is a hidden source of global mercury pollution, resulting from the illegal diversion of dental mercury into the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector, to crematoria emissions from the deceased and sewage sludge that is sold to farmers. These significant mercury sources result in air, water, and food contamination that consequently have a negative impact on human health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate and report on all of the various pathways mercury in dental amalgam can enter the environment. METHODS: The present study searched the electronic data bases of PubMed and Google Scholar. Peer reviewed journals and references of studies included for full-text review were examined for potentially relevant studies. Articles published between 2000 to 2018 were searched and specifically screened for articles that referenced "Dental Amalgam," and the following key words in various combinations: "Minamata Convention on Mercury Treaty," "Sewage Sludge," "Cremation," and "Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining." Data were included on the most populous countries of China, India, the United States, Brazil, and the European Union collectively. We also included data on cremation statistics and current global trends, looking at populations where cremation is a common practice, such as Japan and India. DISCUSSION: Dental amalgam represents a significant, but understudied area of global mercury pollution that includes cremation, sewage sludge, burial, and small-scale gold mining. CONCLUSIONS: Mercury used in products and processes, including dental amalgams, is a global pollutant. Even after the last mercury dental amalgam is placed, its toxic legacy will continue for decades, because of its pervasive bioaccumulation in the environment. Government regulatory agencies should make it mandatory to utilize available technologies, not only in developing countries, but also in developed countries, to reduce mercury contamination. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.