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By Pam King

Father Larry Toschi

A recent article in the Madera Tribune about LifeGem, an Illinois-based company that makes diamonds from the cremated remains of human beings, has stirred controversy among health department officials and members of Madera's religious sector.

Father Larry Toschi at St. Joachim Catholic Church says the process is demoralizing and doesn't want members of his parish to be confused on the issue, while health department officials are more concerned with the fact that the practice is illegal in California.

"The process of cremation was put into practice in the 1800s to deny the resurrection," Father Larry said. "Acceptance of the ritual (by the church) is minimal and was partially due to the devastating effects of war. The Catholic Church only allows cremation for burial under extreme circumstances and even then the ashes must be buried or entombed to be sanctified by the church." He chuckled and added, "I just can't see myself blessing a diamond that used to be called Aunt Bessie."

Although some find the business questionable, it has been featured on the Tonight Show, Today Show, Inside Edition, Live with Regis and Kelly, and was crowned "The Ultimate Family Jewel" on Countdown by Keith Olbermann.

Contrary to a statement made in an earlier interview with Dean VandenBiesen, vice president of operations for the company, concerning their desire to "help ease the grieving process," Jeni-Ann Kren, PhD, MD formerly with the women's prison in Chowchilla, agrees with Father Larry's contention that, moral issues aside, people need closure and adorning ones self with the dearly departed isn't conductive to that end.

"It's not helpful to the grieving process," Father Larry said. "And it robs people of any hope of reuniting with their loved one someday (in heaven)."

Taking the issue to the streets, Oscar Mendez, a maintenance mechanic at Florestone Products, thinks that although God has the power to make us whole, the process is demoralizing and even sacrilegious. His opinion is shared by local youth who believe that the human body should be as in tact as possible when placed to rest.

"That's just not right. They shouldn't be doing that," Madera resident Karissa Saucedo said.

"The body should be put to rest as it came," Alfonso Perez, a teacher's aid at St. Joachim Catholic Church school said.

On the other end of the spectrum Karen Lang, a teacher at Madera High School and a non-practicing catholic, said "I don't see anything offensive about that. It's not like their stealing body parts."

Juan Infante, a customer service representative at the Vallero gas station on Gateway, admittedly not a religious person, doesn't have a problem with the process.

"As long as there's consent given," he said. "I think I'd like that. To turn into a diamond."

However, the State of California does have a problem with the LifeGem process.

Chief Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths for Madera County, Ellen Goodwin, reports that the states disposition regulations only authorize certain dispositions with regard to cremation remains. They include burial of the ashes, containment in an urn at a private residence and/or scattering over private property with proper authorization.

"It's illegal in the State of California," she said. "It's also illegal to ship ashes anywhere without authorization from the health department."

Goodwin, who had never heard of creating jewelry from human ashes, called the State of California Bureau of Vital Records who reported that although not legal in California, the practice is legal in some states.

Because of state regulations, Goodwin reports that a California resident can not legally participate in LifeGem's practices because whenever someone is cremated, the family must file an intended disposition‚ request with the health department and intentions that are outside of the states law will not be authorized.

At the time of this publication, email and telephone inquiries to LifeGem regarding moral issues and governmental regulation of the industry have not been answered.

The original LifeGem company, which was formed in 2002, has since grown to 655 franchised locations worldwide, according to its website.

Legal and moral issues aside, Father Larry summed up his view on the logistics of the issue.

"I've got news for them. That isn't Aunt Bessie anymore. A person is more than their carbon," he said.