If a decedent's cremains will not fit fully into an urn, what should the funeral director do with the excess cremains?

The practice of placing excess cremains in a temporary urn is appropriate and aligns with respectful handling of remains. A temporary urn provides a dignified option for storing any additional cremated remains that cannot be accommodated in the designated urn. This solution ensures that all remains are treated with respect and care, reflecting the professional standards expected in the funeral service industry.

Using a temporary urn maintains the integrity of the cremains and allows the family to decide on a more permanent solution later. This could involve transferring the cremains to a different, more suitable urn or making arrangements for burial, scattering, or other forms of memorialization.

The other options lack the respect and consideration required in handling cremains. For example, dumping them or leaving them unprocessed is not only disrespectful but could also violate legal and ethical standards in funeral practices. Dispersing them in water, while sometimes a preferred method for scattering ashes, would not be appropriate in this context as it doesn't address the need for appropriate interim storage for the excess cremains.