U.S. to Halt Cremation of Troops at Animal Crematorium

Revelations that cremations of U.S. soldiers have been taking place at a crematorium that serviced animals as well as humans have created a stir, such that the Pentagon on Friday announced that military cremation procedures have been changed.

It all began when a soldier complained that his friend's remains were taken to a facility that had a sign outside saying it was a pet crematorium. The Torbert Funeral Home, the one in question, displays a sign advertising the "Friends Forever" pet cremation service.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates believed the earlier situation was "insensitive and entirely inappropriate for the dignified treatment of our fallen," said Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell.

"Our heroes deserve to be better treated than that," Morrell said, adding that a sign at one of the crematoriums noted that it also does pet cremations. He said Gates offered an apology to military families for the insensitivity.

Morrell said there is "absolutely no evidence whatsoever at this point that any human remains were at all ever mistreated, or ever not cremated where they were supposed to be cremated. That said, the secretary believes that is it inappropriate, even if permissible under the rules and regulations, to cremate our fallen, our heroes, in a facility that also cremates pets."

The Pentagon now recommends that troops' remains be incinerated only at facilities that are dedicated entirely to humans.