§ 65-1763 — Removal of pacemakers and hazardous implants; procedural requirements for holding of and cremation of a dead human body, prohibitions, packaging of cremated remains; simultaneous cremations

(a) No body shall be cremated with a pacemaker or other potentially hazardous implant in place. The authorizing agent for the cremation of the dead human body shall be responsible for informing the licensed funeral director, assistant funeral director, embalmer, crematory operator or crematory operator in charge about a known pacemaker or other potentially hazardous implant. The authorizing agent shall be responsible for ensuring that any known pacemaker or hazardous implant is removed before delivery of the dead human body to the crematory. Bodies with pacemakers or hazardous implants in the custody of a crematory operator shall have any pacemaker or hazardous implant removed by an embalmer at a funeral establishment or branch establishment with an embalming preparation room unless the removal is to take place at a medical facility by the appropriate medical personnel.
(b) A crematory shall hold dead human bodies, prior to their cremation, according to the following provisions of this subsection:
(1) Whenever a crematory is unable to cremate the dead human body immediately upon taking custody thereof, the crematory operator in charge shall place the dead human body in a refrigeration facility at 40 degrees fahrenheit or less, unless the dead human body has been embalmed, or shall store the dead human body in a cremation container at a funeral establishment or branch establishment with a preparation room or holding facility approved by the board; and
(2) a crematory operator or crematory operator in charge shall not be required to accept for holding a cremation container from which there is any evidence of leakage of body fluids from the dead human body therein.
(c) No unauthorized person as determined by the crematory operator in charge of the crematory shall be permitted in the crematory area while any dead human body is in the crematory area awaiting cremation, being cremated or being removed from the cremation chamber.
(d) The simultaneous cremation of more than one dead human body within the same cremation chamber is prohibited without specific written authorization to do so from all authorizing agents for the dead human bodies to be so cremated. Such written authorization shall exempt the crematory operator and crematory operator in charge from all liability for the comingling of the cremated remains during the cremation process.
(e) The crematory shall maintain an identification system that will insure that the cremated remains can be identified, as indicated on the cremation authorization form, throughout all phases of the cremation process.
(f) Upon completion of the cremation, and insofar as practicable, all of the recoverable residue of the cremation process shall be removed from the cremation chamber. If possible, the noncombustible materials or items shall be separated from the cremated remains and disposed of, in a lawful manner, by the crematory. The cremated remains shall be reduced by motorized mechanical device to granulated appearance appropriate for final disposition.
(g) Cremated remains shall be packed as follows:
(1) The cremated remains with proper identification shall be placed in a temporary container or urn, unless specific written authorization has been received from the authorizing agent or as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection. The temporary container or urn contents shall be packed with clean packing materials;
(2) if the cremated remains will not fit within the dimensions of a temporary container or urn, the remainder of the cremated remains shall be returned to the authorizing agent or its representative in a separate container attached to the first container or urn identifying such containers as belonging together;
(3) when a temporary container is used to return the cremated remains, that container shall be, at a minimum, a cardboard box with all seams taped closed to increase the security and integrity of that container. The outside of the container shall be clearly identified with the name of the crematory and an indication that the container is a temporary container; and
(4) if the cremated remains are to be shipped, the temporary container or designated receptacle ordered by the authorizing agent shall be securely packed in a suitable, sturdy, non-fragile container and sealed properly. Cremated remains shall be shipped only by a method which has an internal tracing system available and which provides a receipt signed by the person accepting delivery.

Legislative History

L. 2001, ch. 183, § 4; L. 2010, ch. 131, § 10; July 1, 2011.