(a)(1) Cremation shall not take place until the necessary permits and consents are issued pursuant to § 23-3-18. (2) A crematory shall not take custody of unidentified human remains. (3) Human remains designated for cremation shall be cremated without unreasonable delay. (4) When the crematory is unable to cremate the human remains immediately upon taking custody, the crematory shall provide a holding facility that complies with any applicable public health law and that preserves the dignity of the human remains. (5) Holding facilities must be secure from access by all unauthorized persons. (6) A crematory shall not simultaneously cremate more than one human remain within the same cremation chamber. The processing, packaging, storage, and disposition of cremated remains shall be as prescribed in the rules and regulations promulgated by the department of health division of professional regulation. (7) A crematory or funeral home shall be authorized to dispose of the cremated remains that have been abandoned at the crematory or funeral home for more than six (6) months. professional regulation. (7) A crematory or funeral home shall be authorized to dispose of the cremated remains that have been abandoned at the crematory or funeral home for more than six (6) months. All reasonable attempts must be made and diligence exercised to contact the person in charge who authorized the cremation. (b) This section does not apply to the cremation of various body parts from different human bodies. History of Section.P.L. 1995, ch. 255, § 2.
Rhode Island Legal Code