Abstract:
A method is used to prepare a body for burial. The method includes placing the body inside a vessel. The body includes bones and tissue. The method further includes subjecting the body to a flow of steam until the bones are free of tissue. In one implementation, the flow of steam has a temperature of about 212 degrees Fahrenheit and a mass flow rate of at least 1000 pounds per hour. The method may further include removing the bones from the vessel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/669,456, filed Jan. 31, 2007, titled “Steamatory For Preparing A Body For Burial,” which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/729,136, filed Dec. 5, 2003, titled “Apparatus And Method Of Preparing A Body For Burial,” each of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates in general to preparation of a body for burial and more particularly, to an apparatus and method of preparing a deceased body for burial by separating the flesh from the bone structure through the application of steam. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many cultures have specific beliefs, formalities, and rituals associated with preparing a deceased body for burial or other final arrangements. Some cultures believe in embalming the body, placing the embalmed body into a sealed casket, and then burying the casket. Other cultures believe in cremation where the body is reduced to ashes and then placed in an urn or scattered in a natural setting. 
         [0004]    Some cultures place special emphasis on certain parts of the body. The Hawaiian culture believes that, with respect to human remains, the iwi (bones) contain mana (spiritual energy) and must be prepared with the proper respect and dignity. Native Hawaiians have strong family values, responsibilities, and obligations. The family of the deceased has the kuleana (duty and responsibility) to take care of the person who has died and passed on to the next level. Depending on the position and occupation of the deceased in society, the bones are handled in different manners. In some cases, the body is buried wholly with the bones and flesh intact. In other cases, especially for those in a higher level of society, the flesh is removed from the bones and the bones are placed or buried in a huna (secret location). In earlier times, the body was arranged in a fetal or flexed position. At other times, the body was arranged in a fully extended position. If the deceased had been a fisherman, some families would utilize the femur bone to make fishhooks and perpetuate the mana of the fisherman to continue to provide food for the next generation. In any case, through respect and dignity for the dead, the bones must not be disturbed once placed to rest or come outside the control of the family. To disturb the bones would constitute desecration of the ancestral remains and disturbance to the living family. 
         [0005]    For those cases where the flesh is to be removed from the bone prior to burial, the deceased is placed in an imu (underground oven). The oven is often a pit dug in the ground and lined with wood and stones. Before the body is placed in the oven, the wood is burned to heat the stones. A bed or layer of leaves is placed over the hot stones and the body is laid upon the bed of leaves. The body is covered with another layer of leaves to keep it clean. The body is cooked by the heated stones which softens the flesh over a period of time. After a day or so, the flesh is sufficiently soft that it can be removed or striped from the body by hand leaving the skeletal remains. By using this steaming process, the moisture and mana stays in the bones. It is then the prerogative of the family as to how to care for the iwi (bones) once the flesh was removed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In one embodiment, the present invention is a steamatory for preparing a body for burial comprising a chamber having an access panel. A tray is provided that is at least partially removable from the chamber through the access panel. A plurality of steam ports is disposed within the chamber. A steam generator provides steam to the plurality of steam ports within the chamber. The steam is injected into the chamber causes tissue of the body to separate from bone structure. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus for preparing a body for burial comprising a vessel adapted for accepting the body. A support structure is disposed within the vessel for supporting the body. A plurality of steam ports is disposed within the vessel. Steam is injected into the vessel causes tissue of the body to separate from bone structure. 
         [0008]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a method of preparing a body for burial comprising the steps of providing a vessel adapted for accepting the body, placing the body on a support structure disposed within the vessel, and injecting steam through a plurality of steam ports disposed within the vessel to cause tissue of the body to separate from bone structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a steamatory for preparing a body for burial by separating the tissue from the bones; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the steamatory. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    When a person dies, many cultures place special emphasis on certain parts of the body. Native Hawaiians believe that, with respect to ancestral remains, the iwi (bones) contain mana (spiritual energy; essence) and must be given proper respect and dignity in the preparation of the body and the burial process. The mana must not be lost, i.e. it must be preserved in the bones. 
         [0012]    Native Hawaiians have strong family values, obligations, and responsibilities. The family of the deceased has the duty and responsibility to take care of the person who has died and passed on to the next level. Depending on the position and occupation of the deceased in society, especially for those in a higher level of society, the flesh is removed from the bones. The bones are believed to contain mana (spiritual energy; essence). The energy must be preserved in the bones. The bones must be placed or buried in a safe location to ensure that they are not disturbed once placed to rest or otherwise come outside the control of the &#39;ohana (family). 
         [0013]    In the burial preparation process, including removal of the flesh and tissue from the bones, the body should be handled as little as possible. Moreover, the bones must be kept moist and prevented from drying out which is believed to cause a loss of mana (spiritual energy; essence). 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a body processing chamber or vessel  10 , also referred to as a steamatory, is shown as an embodiment of the present invention. The following elements are not necessarily drawn to scale. Chamber  12  is cylindrical in form and includes door or access panel  14  on one end. Door  14  is made of stainless steel and hinged to chamber  12 . Chamber  12  is 4 feet in diameter and 10 feet long. The dimensions of the steamatory accommodate a body weight up to 400 lbs. Chamber  10  is made from stainless steel or other metal which is non-corrosive in the presence of steam and heat. Door  14  opens to an inner portion  16  of chamber  12 . A tray or sliding rack  20  slides on rollers  22  into and out of inner portion  16 . Tray  20  is a support structure for the body. Tray  20  is made from stainless steel in the form of a wire mesh. The mesh of tray  20  provides 0.5 inch openings. Tray  20  may include multiple layers of wire mesh, e.g. two or three separate racks, with graduating sizes of mesh openings from 0.5 inch to 0.125 inch. The racks slide in and out of inner potion  16 , independently of one another, with about 2.0 inches of clearance between each rack. The steamatory is stabilized and supported by braces  24 . 
         [0015]    The body of the deceased is prepared for burial under the authority, control, supervision, care and responsibility of the &#39;ohana (family). The body of the deceased is disrobed and wrapped with kapa cloth made from wauke (bark of the paper mulberry tree), tissue, paper, or other degradable material, which breaks down and disintegrates in the presence of heat and steam. Door  14  is opened and tray  20  is at least partially removed or pulled from inner portion  16  of chamber  12 . The body is carefully laid on tray  20 . Alternatively, the disrobed body is laid on the kapa cloth or degradable material and further covered by the same material. The family and/or religious leader conducts any appropriate final ritual over the body. Tray  20  is slid into inner portion  16  and door  14  is closed and sealed. 
         [0016]    A plurality of steam jets or ports  30  line the interior walls of chamber  12  for injecting superheated steam into inner portion  16 . A steam generator  32  receives water from water source  34  and energy from energy source  36 . Energy source  36  can be electrical, propane, natural gas, or other fossil fuel. The energy is utilized by steam generator  32  to heat the water in a boiler under pressure to generate steam. The steam is routed from steam generator  32  through conduit  38  to the steamatory. 
         [0017]    With the body of the deceased sealed inside, the steam enters inner portion  16  of chamber  12  through steam jets  30 . The steam enters chamber  12  at 212° F. with a mass flow rate of 1000 lbs/hour. In the presence of the superheated steam, the kapa or other degradable material covering the body breaks down and disintegrates over a period of time. The degrading body-covering material falls through the wire mesh of tray  20  into funnel or contoured structure  40 . The degrading material continues through funnel  40  into collection container  42 . 
         [0018]    In addition to the degrading body-covering material, in the presence of the superheated steam, the flesh, muscles, ligaments, organs and other soft tissue of the body of the deceased (collectively referred to as “pela”) soften and separate or detach from the bone structure. The pela falls from the body in pieces. Smaller pieces of pela fall through the wire mesh of tray  20 , through funnel  40  and are collected in container  42 . Larger pieces of pela may be temporarily caught by the wire mesh, but eventually disintegrate in the presence of the superheated steam and ultimately fall through to container  42 . Container  42  is sized to collect the pela from a body of 400 lbs; the maximum capacity for chamber  12 . 
         [0019]    The steaming process should continue until the pela is completely removed from the body of the deceased, leaving the bones clean, with no remaining tissue or residue. The process may take 4-5 hours until all the pela is detached and removed from the body and collected in container  42 . Other temperatures of steam and mass flow rates can be used in the steamatory. The length of time needed for the steaming process to detach the pela from the body depends in part on the steam temperature and mass flow rate. Container  42  is removed from the steamatory and the pela is incinerated or disposed of in a clean, safe, and non-polluting manner. 
         [0020]    Only the bone structure of the deceased remains on tray  20 . The bone structure remains intact and undisturbed from the placement of the body. The pela has been removed with minimal handling of the body. Moreover, the superheated steaming process maintains the moisture in the bone. Because the iwi (bone) contains the mana (spiritual energy; essence) of the person, the feature of maintaining a moist environment is important as it is desirable that the bone not dry out during the process. The moisture content of the steam ensures that the mana remains within the bone during the process of removing the pela from the bone. 
         [0021]    After the pela has been removed from the bone, door  14  is opened and tray  20  slides out to permit removal of the bone structure of the deceased for burial. The family makes final arrangements for burial of the bones. 
         [0022]    Following removal of the body from chamber  12 , the steaming process can be repeated without a body in the steamatory as a self-cleaning process in preparation for the next usage. 
         [0023]    Another embodiment of the steamatory is shown in  FIG. 2 . Vessel  50  is oval or egg-shaped and includes a lower portion or pan  52  and an upper portion or lid  54 . Vessel  50  is made with a similar material and size requirements as described in  FIG. 1 . A wire-mesh tray  56  is placed inside vessel  50 . Lid  54  is placed on pan  52  and sealed with clamps  58 . A funnel or contoured structure  60  is integrated into pan  42  and opens into collection container  62 . The steamatory is supported by cart  64  having wheels  66 . 
         [0024]    The body of the deceased is disrobed and wrapped with kapa, tissue, paper, or other degradable material, which breaks down and disintegrates in the presence of heat and steam. Lid  54  is removed to accept the body into vessel  50 . The body is carefully laid on tray  56 . Alternatively, the disrobed body is laid on kapa cloth, made from the specially prepared bark of the paper mulberry tree or degradable material and further covered by the same material. Lid  54  is re-installed on pan  52  and sealed with clamps  58 . 
         [0025]    A plurality of steam jets line the interior walls of vessel  50  for injecting superheated steam into the inner portion thereof. A steam generator  70  receives water from water source  72  and energy from energy source  74 . The energy is utilized by steam generator  70  to heat the water in a boiler under pressure to generate steam. The steam is routed from steam generator  70  through conduit  76  to the steamatory. 
         [0026]    With the body of the deceased sealed inside, the steam enters the inner portion of vessel  50  through the steam jets. In the presence of the superheated steam, the kapa and/or degradable material covering the body breaks down and disintegrates. The degrading body-covering material falls through the wire mesh of tray  56  into funnel  60 . The degrading material continues through funnel  60  into collection container  62 . In addition to the degrading body-covering material, in the presence of the superheated steam, the pela softens, separates and detaches from the bone structure. The pela falls from the body in pieces and is collected in container  62 . 
         [0027]    After the pela is detached and removed from the body of the deceased, vessel  50  is opened and the bone structure of the deceased is removed from tray  56  for burial. The family makes final arrangements for burial of the bones. Again, the pela has been removed with minimal handling of the body. Moreover, the superheated steaming process maintains the moisture in the bone. The mana is preserved in the bone structure in accordance with cultural belief. Container  62  is removed from the steamatory and the pela is incinerated or disposed of in a clean, safe, and non-polluting manner. The steamatory is cleaned in preparation for the next usage. 
         [0028]    A person skilled in this practice will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail, and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The present description is therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being determined by the following claims and their equivalents as supported by the above disclosure and drawings.