“I want my gold teeth taken out!”



Believe it or not, this is something I hear at least a dozen times a year—whether from those making pre-arrangements or families planning a cremation. Some say it jokingly, others very seriously. One common reason? “They cost me a lot of money!”

Gold used in dental work is measured in karats, like jewelry. Higher karat means purer gold—but also softer and less durable. That’s why most dental gold is mixed with other metals to form an alloy. So, while gold crowns and fillings may have cost thousands, their actual scrap value is often far less than expected. And many gold teeth are actually gold-plated, which holds virtually no value for scrap.

Now for the important part: Funeral directors are not dentists. We’re not trained, licensed, or equipped to remove teeth or implants. If you hear of someone using tools like channel locks to pull a tooth—please know that’s not just cringeworthy, it’s potentially illegal.

If a family insists on retrieving gold teeth before cremation, a licensed dental professional—such as an oral surgeon—must be brought in to perform the removal. It’s not that we’re being difficult; we’re simply upholding the ethical standards of our profession.

Another question I often get is what happens to things like metal rods, bolts, pins, or artificial joints after cremation. These are not removed beforehand (doing so would be invasive and unnecessary). After the cremation process, any remaining metal parts are separated and properly recycled.

At O’Connell’s, we do not keep proceeds from this recycling. We believe it is unethical to profit from any part of the human body. Instead, we request that all proceeds from the recycling company go directly to local nonprofit organizations that serve and support our communities.

These include:

• American Legion Posts in River Falls, Ellsworth, Prescott, and Baldwin
• Local senior centers
• Local community foundations
• The Lions Club of Ellsworth
• River Falls Sunshine Fund
• St. Bridget’s Catholic Church Hardship Fund

We’re proud to support these organizations, many of which directly impact the lives of families we serve. 

If a funeral home can’t clearly explain where recycling proceeds go—it’s worth asking questions. That should be a red flag.

Sincerely,

Mike O’Connell
O’Connell Family Funeral Homes