Chapter 4717 | Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Crematories

Section 4717.01 | Embalmer, funeral director, crematory definitions.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Embalming" means the process of chemically treating the dead human body by any of the following to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms, to temporarily slow organic decomposition, and to restore acceptable physical appearance:

(1) Arterial injection;

(2) Cavity treatment;

(3) Hypodermic tissue injection.

(B) "Funeral business" means a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other business entity that is engaged in funeral directing for profit or for free from one or more funeral homes licensed under this chapter.

(C) "Funeral directing" means the business or profession of directing or supervising funerals for profit from one or more funeral homes licensed under this chapter, the arrangement or sale of funeral services, the filling out or execution of a funeral service contract, the business or profession of preparing dead human bodies for burial by means other than embalming, the disposition of dead human bodies, the provision or maintenance of a place for the preparation, the care, or disposition of dead human bodies, the use in connection with a business of the term "funeral director," "undertaker," "mortician," or any other term from which can be implied the business of funeral directing, or the holding out to the public that one is a funeral director or a disposer of dead human bodies.

(D) "Funeral home" means a fixed place for the care, preparation for burial, or disposition of dead human bodies or the conducting of funerals. Each business location is a funeral home, regardless of common ownership or management.

(E) "Embalmer" means a person who engages, in whole or in part, in embalming and who is licensed under this chapter.

(F) "Funeral director" means a person who engages, in whole or in part, in funeral directing and who is licensed under this chapter.

(G) "Final disposition" has the same meaning as in division (J) of section 3705.01 of the Revised Code.

(H) "Supervision" means the operation of all phases of the business of funeral directing or embalming under the specific direction of a licensed funeral director or licensed embalmer.

(I) "Direct supervision" means the physical presence of a licensed funeral director or licensed embalmer while the specific functions of the funeral or embalming are being carried out.

(J) "Embalming facility" means a fixed location, separate from the funeral home, that is licensed under this chapter whose only function is the embalming and preparation of dead human bodies.

(K) "Crematory facility" means the physical location at which a cremation chamber is located and the cremation process takes place. "Crematory facility" does not include an infectious waste incineration facility for which a license is held under division (B) of section 3734.05 of the Revised Code, or a solid waste incineration facility for which a license is held under division (A) of that section that includes a notation pursuant to division (B)(3) of that section authorizing the facility to also treat infectious wastes, in connection with the incineration of body parts other than dead human bodies that were donated to science for purposes of medical education or research.

(L) "Crematory" means the building or portion of a building that houses the holding facility and the cremation chamber.

(M) "Cremation" means the technical process of using heat and flame to reduce human or animal remains to bone fragments or ashes or any combination thereof. "Cremation" includes processing and may include the pulverization of bone fragments.

(N) "Cremation chamber" means the enclosed space within which cremation takes place.

(O) "Cremated remains" means all human or animal remains recovered after the completion of the cremation process, which may include the residue of any foreign matter such as casket material, dental work, or eyeglasses that were cremated with the human or animal remains.

(P) "Lapsed license" means a license issued under this chapter that has become invalid because of the failure of the licensee to renew the license within the time limits prescribed under this chapter.

(Q) "Crematory operator" means the person who engages, in whole or in part, in cremation from one or more crematories licensed under this chapter and who has been issued a crematory operator permit under this chapter.

(R) "Processing" means the reduction of identifiable bone fragments to unidentifiable bone fragments through manual or mechanical means after the completion of the cremation process.

(S) "Pulverization" means the reduction of identifiable bone fragments to granulated particles by manual or mechanical means after the completion of the cremation process.

(T) "Preneed funeral contract" means a written agreement, contract, or series of contracts to sell or otherwise provide any funeral services, funeral goods, or any combination thereof to be used in connection with the funeral or final disposition of a dead human body, where payment for the goods or services is made either outright or on an installment basis, prior to the death of the person purchasing the goods or services or for whom the goods or services are purchased. "Preneed funeral contract" does not include any preneed cemetery merchandise and services contract or any agreement, contract, or series of contracts pertaining to the sale of any burial lot, burial or interment right, entombment right, or columbarium right with respect to which an endowment care fund is established or is exempt from establishment pursuant to section 1721.21 of the Revised Code.

For the purposes of division (T) of this section, "funeral goods" includes caskets.

(U) "Purchaser" means the individual who has purchased and financed a preneed funeral contract, and who may or may not be the contract beneficiary.

(V) "Contract beneficiary" means the individual for whom funeral goods and funeral services are provided pursuant to a preneed funeral contract.

(W) "Seller" means any person that enters into a preneed funeral contract with a purchaser for the provision of funeral goods, funeral services, or both.

(X) "Felony" means a criminal act classified as a felony by this state, any other state, or federal law.

Last updated October 10, 2023 at 3:26 PM

Section 4717.02 | Board of embalmers and funeral directors.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) There is hereby created the board of embalmers and funeral directors consisting of seven members to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Five members shall be licensed practicing funeral directors, four of which shall also be licensed embalmers. Each of the funeral director members shall have at least ten consecutive years of experience in this state immediately preceding the date of the person's appointment. In addition, one of the funeral director members shall hold a crematory operator permit and be knowledgeable and experienced in operating a crematory. Two members shall represent the public; at least one of these members shall be at least sixty years of age.

(B) Terms of office are for five years, commencing on the first day of July and ending on the last day of June. Each member shall hold office from the date of the member's appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. Before entering upon the duties of the office, each member shall take and file with the secretary of state an oath of office as required by Section 7 of Article XV, Ohio Constitution.

(C) The governor may remove a member of the board for neglect of duty, incompetency, or immoral conduct. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office as a member for the remainder of that term. A member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

(D) Each member of the board shall receive an amount fixed under division (J) of section 124.15 of the Revised Code for each day, not to exceed sixty days per year, employed in the discharge of the member's duties as a board member, together with any necessary expenses incurred in the performance of those duties.

Last updated October 10, 2023 at 3:31 PM

Section 4717.03 | Organization of board.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) Members of the board of embalmers and funeral directors shall annually in July, or within thirty days after the senate's confirmation of the new members appointed in that year, meet and organize by selecting from among its members a president, vice-president, and secretary-treasurer. The board may hold other meetings as it determines necessary. A quorum of the board consists of four members, of whom at least three shall be members who are funeral directors. The concurrence of at least four members is necessary for the board to take any action. The president and secretary-treasurer shall sign all licenses issued under this chapter and affix the board's seal to each license.

(B) The board may appoint an individual who is not a member of the board to serve as executive director of the board. The executive director serves at the pleasure of the board and shall do all of the following:

(1) Serve as the board's chief administrative officer;

(2) Act as custodian of the board's records;

(3) Execute all of the board's orders;

(4) Employ staff who are not members of the board and who serve at the pleasure of the executive director to provide any assistance that the board considers necessary.

(C) In executing the board's orders as required by division (B)(3) of this section, the executive director may enter the premises, establishment, office, or place of business of any embalmer, funeral director, or crematory operator in this state. The executive director may serve and execute any process issued by any court under this chapter.

(D) The executive director may employ necessary inspectors, who shall be licensed embalmers and funeral directors. An inspector employed by the executive director may enter the premises, establishment, office, or place of business of any embalmer, funeral director, or crematory operator, embalming facility, funeral home, or crematory facility in this state, for the purposes of inspecting the facility and premises; the license, permit, and certification of embalmers, funeral directors, and crematory operators operating in the facility; and the license of the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility and perform any other duties delegated to the inspector by the board or assigned to the inspector by the executive director. The executive director may enter the facility or premises of a funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory for the purpose of an inspection if accompanied by an inspector or, if an inspector is not available, when a situation presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public.

(E) The president of the board shall designate three of the board's members to serve on the crematory review board, which is hereby created, for such time as the president finds appropriate to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Those members of the crematory review board designated by the president to serve and three members designated by the cemetery dispute resolution commission shall designate, by a majority vote, one person who holds a crematory operator permit, who is experienced in the operation of a crematory facility, and who is not affiliated with a cemetery or a funeral home to serve on the crematory review board for such time as the crematory review board finds appropriate. Members serving on the crematory review board shall not receive any additional compensation for serving on the board, but may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties as members of the board. Members of the crematory review board shall designate one from among its members to serve as a chairperson for such time as the board finds appropriate. Costs associated with conducting an adjudicatory hearing in accordance with division (F) of this section shall be paid from funds available to the board of embalmers and funeral directors.

(F) Upon receiving written notice from the board of embalmers and funeral directors of any of the following, the crematory review board shall conduct an adjudicatory hearing on the matter in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, except as otherwise provided in this section or division (C) of section 4717.14 of the Revised Code:

(1) Notice provided under division (I) of this section of an alleged violation of any provision of this chapter or any rules adopted under this chapter governing or in connection with crematory operators, crematory facilities, or cremation;

(2) Notice provided under division (B) of section 4717.14 of the Revised Code that the board of embalmers and funeral directors proposes to refuse to grant or renew, or to suspend or revoke, a license to operate a crematory facility;

(3) Notice provided under division (C) of section 4717.14 of the Revised Code that the board of embalmers and funeral directors has issued an order summarily suspending a crematory operator permit or a license to operate a crematory facility;

(4) Notice provided under division (B) of section 4717.15 of the Revised Code that the board of embalmers and funeral directors proposes to issue a notice of violation and order requiring payment of a forfeiture for any violation described in divisions (A)(9)(a) to (g) of section 4717.04 of the Revised Code alleged in connection with a crematory operator, crematory facility, or cremation.

Nothing in division (F) of this section precludes the crematory review board from appointing an independent examiner in accordance with section 119.09 of the Revised Code to conduct any adjudication hearing required under division (F) of this section.

The crematory review board shall submit a written report of findings and advisory recommendations, and a written transcript of its proceedings, to the board of embalmers and funeral directors. The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall serve a copy of the written report of the crematory review board's findings and advisory recommendations on the party to the adjudication or the party's attorney, by certified mail, within five days after receiving the report and advisory recommendations. A party may file objections to the written report with the board of embalmers and funeral directors within ten days after receiving the report. No written report is final or appealable until it is issued as a final order by the board of embalmers and funeral directors and entered on the record of the proceedings. The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall consider objections filed by the party prior to issuing a final order. After reviewing the findings and advisory recommendations of the crematory review board, the written transcript of the crematory review board's proceedings, and any objections filed by a party, the board of embalmers and funeral directors shall issue a final order in the matter. Any party may appeal the final order issued by the board of embalmers and funeral directors in a matter described in divisions (F)(1) to (4) of this section in accordance with section 119.12 of the Revised Code, except that the appeal may be made to the court of common pleas in the county in which is located the crematory facility to which the final order pertains, or in the county in which the party resides.

(G) On its own initiative or on receiving a written complaint from any person whose identity is made known to the board of embalmers and funeral directors, the board shall investigate the acts or practices of any person holding or claiming to hold a license, permit, or certification under this chapter that, if proven to have occurred, would violate this chapter or any rules adopted under it. The board may compel witnesses by subpoena to appear and testify in relation to investigations conducted under this chapter and may require by subpoena duces tecum the production of any book, paper, or document pertaining to an investigation. If a person does not comply with a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum, the board may apply to the court of common pleas of any county in this state for an order compelling the person to comply with the subpoena or subpoena duces tecum, or for failure to do so, to be held in contempt of court.

(H) If, as a result of its investigation conducted under division (G) of this section, the board of embalmers and funeral directors has reasonable cause to believe that the person investigated is violating any provision of this chapter or any rules adopted under this chapter governing or in connection with embalming, funeral directing, cremation, funeral homes, embalming facilities, or cremation facilities, or the operation of funeral homes, embalming facilities, or crematory facilities, it may, after providing the opportunity for an adjudicatory hearing, issue an order directing the person to cease the acts or practices that constitute the violation. The board shall conduct the adjudicatory hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code except that, notwithstanding the provisions of that chapter, the following shall apply:

(1) The board shall send the notice informing the person of the person's right to a hearing by certified mail.

(2) The person is entitled to a hearing only if the person requests a hearing and if the board receives the request within thirty days after the mailing of the notice described in division (H)(1) of this section.

(3) A stenographic record shall be taken, in the manner prescribed in section 119.09 of the Revised Code, at every adjudicatory hearing held under this section, regardless of whether the record may be the basis of an appeal to a court.

(I) If, as a result of its investigation conducted under division (G) of this section, the board of embalmers and funeral directors has reasonable cause to believe that the person investigated is violating any provision of this chapter or any rules adopted under this chapter governing or in connection with crematory operators, crematory facilities, or cremation, the board shall send written notice of the alleged violation to the crematory review board. If, after the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing in the matter conducted under division (F) of this section, the board of embalmers and funeral directors finds that a person is in violation of any provision of this chapter or any rules adopted under this chapter governing or in connection with crematory operators, crematory facilities, or cremation, the board may issue a final order under that division directing the person to cease the acts or practices that constitute the violation.

(J) The board of embalmers and funeral directors may bring a civil action to enjoin any violation or threatened violation of sections 4717.01 to 4717.15 of the Revised Code or a rule adopted under any of those sections; division (A) or (B) of section 4717.23; division (B)(1) or (2), (C)(1) or (2), (D), (E), or (F)(1) or (2), or divisions (H) to (K) of section 4717.26; division (D)(1) of section 4717.27; divisions (A) to (C) of section 4717.28, or division (D) or (E) of section 4717.31 of the Revised Code. The action shall be brought in the county where the violation occurred or the threatened violation is expected to occur. At the request of the board, the attorney general shall represent the board in any matter arising under this chapter.

(K) The board of embalmers and funeral directors and the crematory review board may issue subpoenas for any person holding a license or permit under this chapter or persons holding themselves out as such, or for any other person whose testimony, in the opinion of either board, is necessary. The subpoena shall require the person to appear before the appropriate board or any designated member of either board, upon any hearing conducted under this chapter. The penalty for disobedience to the command of such a subpoena is the same as for refusal to answer such a process issued under authority of the court of common pleas.

(L) Except as provided in section 4717.41 of the Revised Code, all moneys received by the board of embalmers and funeral directors from any source shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the occupational licensing and regulatory fund created in section 4743.05 of the Revised Code.

(M) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall submit a written report to the governor on or before the first Monday of July of each year. This report shall contain a detailed statement of the nature and amount of the board's receipts and the amount and manner of its expenditures.

Last updated October 10, 2023 at 3:34 PM

Section 4717.04 | Administrative rules; investigations.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for the government, transaction of the business, and the management of the affairs of the board of embalmers and funeral directors and the crematory review board, and for the administration and enforcement of this chapter. These rules shall include all of the following:

(1) The nature, scope, content, and form of the application that must be completed and license examination that must be passed in order to receive an embalmer's license or a funeral director's license under section 4717.05 of the Revised Code. The rules shall ensure both of the following:

(a) That the embalmer's license examination tests the applicant's knowledge through at least a comprehensive section and an Ohio laws section;

(b) That the funeral director's license examination tests the applicant's knowledge through at least a comprehensive section, an Ohio laws section, and a sanitation section.

(2) The minimum license examination score necessary to be licensed under section 4717.05 of the Revised Code as an embalmer or as a funeral director;

(3) Procedures for determining the dates of the embalmer's and funeral director's license examinations, which shall be administered at least once each year, the time and place of each examination, and the supervision required for each examination;

(4) Procedures for determining whether the board shall accept an applicant's compliance with the licensure, registration, or certification requirements of another state as grounds for granting the applicant a license under this chapter;

(5) A determination of whether completion of a nationally recognized embalmer's or funeral director's examination sufficiently meets the license requirements for the comprehensive section of either the embalmer's or the funeral director's license examination administered under this chapter;

(6) Continuing education requirements for licensed embalmers and funeral directors;

(7) Requirements for the licensing and operation of funeral homes;

(8) Requirements for the licensing and operation of embalming facilities;

(9) A schedule that lists, and specifies a forfeiture commensurate with, each of the following types of conduct which, for the purposes of division (A)(9) of this section and section 4717.15 of the Revised Code, are violations of this chapter:

(a) Obtaining a license under this chapter by fraud or misrepresentation either in the application or in passing the required examination for the license;

(b) Purposely violating any provision of sections 4717.01 to 4717.15 of the Revised Code or a rule adopted under any of those sections; division (A) or (B) of section 4717.23; division (B)(1) or (2), (C)(1) or (2), (D), (E), or (F)(1) or (2), or divisions (H) to (K) of section 4717.26; division (D)(1) of section 4717.27; or divisions (A) to (C) of section 4717.28 of the Revised Code;

(c) Committing unprofessional conduct;

(d) Knowingly permitting an unlicensed person, other than a person serving an apprenticeship, to engage in the profession or business of embalming or funeral directing under the licensee's supervision;

(e) Refusing to promptly submit the custody of a dead human body or cremated remains upon the express order of the person legally entitled to the body;

(f) Transferring a license to operate a funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility from one owner or operator to another, or from one location to another, without notifying the board and following the requirements of section 4717.11 of the Revised Code;

(g) Misleading the public using false or deceptive advertising;

(h) Failing to forward to the board on or before its due date the annual report of preneed funeral sales required by division (J) of section 4717.31 of the Revised Code. If the annual report is sent to the board by United States mail, it shall be postmarked on or before the due date for the submission of the annual report in order to be timely filed with the board. Mail that is not postmarked shall be considered filed on the date it is received by the board.

Each instance of the commission of any of the types of conduct described in division (A)(9) of this section is a separate violation. The rules adopted under division (A)(9) of this section shall establish the amount of the forfeiture for a violation of each of those divisions. The forfeiture for a first violation shall not exceed five thousand dollars, and the forfeiture for a second or subsequent violation shall not exceed ten thousand dollars. The amount of the forfeiture may differ among the types of violations according to what the board considers the seriousness of each violation.

(10) Requirements for the licensing and operation of crematory facilities;

(11) Procedures for the board to take possession of and to arrange the lawful disposition of unclaimed cremated remains that were held or stored at a funeral home or crematory that has been closed;

(12) Procedures for the issuance of duplicate licenses;

(13) Requirements for criminal records checks of applicants under section 4776.03 of the Revised Code;

(14) The amount and content of corrective action courses required by the board under section 4717.14 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board may adopt rules governing the educational standards for licensure as an embalmer or funeral director, or obtaining a permit to be a crematory operator, and the standards of service and practice to be followed in embalming, funeral directing, and cremation, and in the operation of funeral homes, embalming facilities, and crematory facilities in this state.

(C) Nothing in this chapter authorizes the board of embalmers and funeral directors to regulate cemeteries, except that the board shall license and regulate funeral homes, embalming facilities, and crematory facilities located at cemeteries in accordance with this chapter.

(D) If the executive director of the board has knowledge or notice of a violation of division (A)(1), (3), (5), or (6) of section 4717.13 of the Revised Code or that a person is engaging in the business or profession of funeral directing in violation of division (A)(14) of that section, the executive director shall notify the appropriate law enforcement authority for investigation.

Last updated October 11, 2023 at 11:25 AM

Section 4717.05 | License qualifications.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131 (GA 134), House Bill 509 (GA 134)

(A) Any person who desires to be licensed as an embalmer shall apply to the board of embalmers and funeral directors on a form provided by the board. The applicant shall include with the application an initial license fee as set forth in section 4717.07 of the Revised Code and evidence, verified by oath and satisfactory to the board, that the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(1) The applicant is at least eighteen years of age.

(2) The applicant holds at least a bachelor's degree from a college or university authorized to confer degrees by the department of higher education or the comparable legal agency of another state in which the college or university is located and submits an official transcript from that college or university with the application.

(3) The applicant has satisfactorily completed at least twelve months of instruction in a prescribed course in mortuary science as approved by the board and has presented to the board a certificate showing successful completion of the course. The course of mortuary science college training may be completed either before or after the completion of the educational standard set forth in division (A)(2) of this section.

(4) The applicant has been certified by the board prior to beginning an embalmer apprenticeship.

(5) The applicant, following mortuary science college training described in division (A)(3) of this section, has satisfactorily completed a one-year apprenticeship under an embalmer licensed in this state and has participated in embalming at least fifteen dead human bodies.

(6) The applicant, upon meeting the educational standards provided for in divisions (A)(2) and (3) of this section and completing the apprenticeship required in division (A)(5) of this section, has completed the examination for an embalmer's license required by the board.

(B) Upon receiving satisfactory evidence verified by oath that the applicant meets all the requirements of division (A) of this section, the board shall issue the applicant an embalmer's license.

(C) Any person who desires to be licensed as a funeral director shall apply to the board on a form prescribed by the board. The application shall include an initial license fee as set forth in section 4717.07 of the Revised Code and evidence, verified by oath and satisfactory to the board, that the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (D) of this section, the applicant has satisfactorily met all the requirements for an embalmer's license as described in divisions (A)(1) to (3) of this section.

(2) The applicant has been certified by the board prior to beginning a funeral director apprenticeship.

(3) The applicant, following mortuary science college training described in division (A)(3) of this section, has satisfactorily completed a one-year apprenticeship under a licensed funeral director in this state and has participated in directing at least twenty-five funerals.

(4) The applicant has satisfactorily completed the examination for a funeral director's license as required by the board.

(D) In lieu of mortuary science college training required for a funeral director's license under division (C)(1) of this section, the applicant may substitute a satisfactorily completed two-year apprenticeship under a licensed funeral director in this state assisting that person in directing at least fifty funerals.

(E) Upon receiving satisfactory evidence that the applicant meets all the requirements of division (C) of this section, the board shall issue to the applicant a funeral director's license.

(F) The board shall issue an embalmer or funeral director apprentice card in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an applicant if either of the following applies:

(1) The applicant holds a license or card in another state.

(2) The applicant has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as an embalmer or funeral director apprentice in a state that does not issue that license or card.

(G) A funeral director or embalmer who is in good standing with the board and is in compliance with applicable continuing education requirements may request the funeral director's or embalmer's license be placed on inactive status by submitting to the board a form prescribed by the board and such other information as the board may request. A funeral director or embalmer who is granted inactive status is prohibited from participating in any activity for which a funeral director's or embalmer's license is required in this state. A funeral director or embalmer who has been granted inactive status is exempt from the continuing education requirements under section 4717.09 of the Revised Code during the period of the inactive status.

(H) A funeral director or embalmer who has been granted inactive status may not return to active status for at least two years following the date that the inactive status was granted. Following a period of at least two years of inactive status, the funeral director or embalmer may apply to return to active status upon completion of all of the following conditions:

(1) The funeral director or embalmer files with the board a form prescribed by the board seeking active status and provides any other information as the board may request;

(2) The funeral director or embalmer takes and passes the Ohio laws examination for each license being activated;

(3) The funeral director or embalmer pays to the board the reactivation fee described in division (A)(1) of section 4717.07 of the Revised Code.

(I) A person enrolled at a college or university authorized to confer degrees by the department of higher education or the comparable agency of another state in which the college or university is located may apply to be a funeral director apprentice, embalmer apprentice, or combined funeral director and embalmer apprentice.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 6:56 AM

Section 4717.051 | Applicants for permit as crematory operator; qualifications.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (D) of this section, any person who desires to obtain a permit as a crematory operator shall apply to the board of embalmers and funeral directors on a form prescribed by the board. The applicant shall include with the application the initial permit fee set forth in section 4717.07 of the Revised Code and evidence, verified under oath and satisfactory to the board, that the applicant satisfies both of the following requirements:

(1) The applicant is at least eighteen years of age.

(2) The applicant has satisfactorily completed a crematory operation certification program approved by the board and has presented to the board a certificate showing completion of the program.

(B) If the board of embalmers and funeral directors, upon receiving satisfactory evidence, determines that the applicant satisfies all of the requirements of division (A) of this section, the board shall issue to the applicant a permit as a crematory operator.

(C) The board of embalmers and funeral directors may revoke or suspend a crematory operator permit or subject a crematory operator permit holder to discipline in accordance with the laws, rules, and procedures applicable to licensees under this chapter.

(D) The board shall issue a crematory operator permit in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an applicant if either of the following applies:

(1) The applicant holds a license or permit in another state.

(2) The applicant has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a crematory operator in a state that does not issue that license or permit.

Last updated June 3, 2024 at 3:24 PM

Section 4717.06 | Application for licensing funeral home or embalming or crematory facility.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 224 - 134th General Assembly

(A)(1) A licensed funeral director who desires to obtain a license to operate a funeral home, a licensed embalmer who desires to obtain a license to operate an embalming facility, or a holder of a crematory operator permit who desires to obtain a license to operate a crematory facility shall apply to the board of embalmers and funeral directors on a form prescribed by the board. The application shall include the initial license application fee set forth in section 4717.07 of the Revised Code and proof satisfactory to the board that the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility is in compliance with rules adopted by the board under section 4717.04 of the Revised Code, rules adopted by the board of building standards under Chapter 3781. of the Revised Code, and all other federal, state, and local requirements relating to the safety of the premises.

(2) If the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility to which the license application pertains is owned by a corporation or limited liability company, the application shall include the name and address of the corporation's or limited liability company's statutory agent appointed under section 1701.07 of the Revised Code, former section 1705.06 of the Revised Code as that section existed prior to February 11, 2022, or section 1706.09 of the Revised Code or, in the case of a foreign corporation, the corporation's designated agent appointed under section 1703.041 of the Revised Code. If the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility to which the application pertains is owned by a partnership, the application shall include the name and address of each of the partners. If, at any time after the submission of a license application or issuance of a license, the statutory or designated agent of a corporation or limited liability company owning a funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility or the address of the statutory or designated agent changes or, in the case of a partnership, any of the partners of the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility or the address of any of the partners changes, the applicant for or holder of the license to operate the funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility shall submit written notice to the board, within thirty days after the change, informing the board of the change and of any name or address of a statutory or designated agent or partner that has changed from that contained in the application for the license or the most recent notice submitted under division (A)(2) of this section.

(B)(1) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall issue a license to operate a funeral home only to a licensed funeral director who is named in the application as the funeral director actually in charge and ultimately responsible for the funeral home. The board shall issue the license only for the address at which the funeral home is physically located and operated. The funeral home license and licenses of the embalmers and funeral directors employed by the funeral home shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the funeral home.

(2) The funeral home shall have on the premises one of the following:

(a) If embalming will take place at the funeral home, an embalming room that is adequately equipped and maintained. The embalming room shall be kept in a clean and sanitary manner and used only for the embalming, preparation, or holding of dead human bodies. The embalming room shall contain only the articles, facilities, and instruments necessary for those purposes.

(b) If embalming will not take place at the funeral home, a holding room that is adequately equipped and maintained. The holding room shall be kept in a clean and sanitary manner and used only for the preparation, other than embalming, and holding of dead human bodies. The holding room shall contain only the articles and facilities necessary for those purposes.

(3) Each funeral home shall be directly supervised by a funeral director licensed under this chapter, who may supervise more than one funeral home.

(C)(1) The board shall issue a license to operate an embalming facility only to a licensed embalmer who is actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the embalming facility. The board shall issue the license only for the address at which the embalming facility is physically located and operated. The license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the facility.

(2) The embalming facility shall be adequately equipped and maintained in a sanitary manner. The embalming room at such a facility shall contain only the articles, facilities, and instruments necessary for its stated purpose. The embalming room shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and used only for the care and preparation of dead human bodies.

(D)(1) The board shall issue a license to operate a crematory facility only to a crematory operator who is actually in charge and ultimately responsible for the crematory facility. The board shall issue the license only for the address at which the crematory facility is physically located and operated. The license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the crematory facility.

(2) The crematory facility shall be adequately equipped and maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. The crematory facility may be located in a funeral home, embalming facility, cemetery building, or other building in which the crematory facility may lawfully operate. If a crematory facility engages in the cremation of animals, the crematory facility shall cremate animals in a cremation chamber that also is not used to cremate dead human bodies or human body parts and shall not cremate animals in a cremation chamber used for the cremation of dead human bodies and human body parts. Cremation chambers that are used for the cremation of dead human bodies or human body parts and cremation chambers used for the cremation of animals may be located in the same area. Cremation chambers used for the cremation of animals shall have conspicuously displayed on the unit a notice that the unit is to be used for animals only.

(3) A license to operate a crematory facility shall be issued to the person actually in charge of the crematory facility. This section does not require the individual who is actually in charge of the crematory facility to be an embalmer or funeral director licensed under this chapter.

(4) Nothing in this section or rules adopted under section 4717.04 of the Revised Code precludes the establishment and operation of a crematory facility on or adjacent to the property on which a cemetery, funeral home, or embalming facility is located.

Last updated October 10, 2023 at 3:38 PM

Section 4717.061 | License applicant to comply with R.C. Chapter 4776.

• Effective: October 9, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 263 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "license" and "applicant for an initial license" have the same meanings as in section 4776.01 of the Revised Code, except that "license" as used in both of those terms refers to the types of authorizations otherwise issued or conferred under this chapter.

(B) In addition to any other eligibility requirement set forth in this chapter, each applicant for an initial license shall comply with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code. The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall not grant a license to an applicant for an initial license unless the applicant complies with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 20, 2022 at 5:21 PM

Section 4717.07 | Fees.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall charge and collect the following fees:

(1) For applying for an initial or biennial renewal of an embalmer's or funeral director's license, or a reactivation of a license as described in division (H) of section 4717.05 of the Revised Code, two hundred dollars;

(2) For applying for an embalmer or funeral director certificate of apprenticeship, thirty-five dollars;

(3) For the application to take the examination for a license to practice as an embalmer or funeral director, or to retake a section of the examination, thirty-five dollars;

(4) For applying for an initial license to operate a funeral home, four hundred dollars and biennial renewal of a license to operate a funeral home, four hundred dollars;

(5) For the reinstatement of a lapsed embalmer's or funeral director's license, the renewal fee prescribed in division (A)(1) of this section plus fifty dollars for each month or portion of a month the license is lapsed, but not more than one thousand dollars;

(6) For the reinstatement of a lapsed license to operate a funeral home, the renewal fee prescribed in division (A)(4) of this section plus fifty dollars for each month or portion of a month the license is lapsed until reinstatement, but not more than one thousand dollars;

(7) For applying for a license to operate an embalming facility, four hundred dollars and biennial renewal of a license to operate an embalming facility, four hundred dollars;

(8) For the reinstatement of a lapsed license to operate an embalming facility, the renewal fee prescribed in division (A)(7) of this section plus fifty dollars for each month or portion of a month the license is lapsed until reinstatement, but not more than one thousand dollars;

(9) For applying for a license to operate a crematory facility, four hundred dollars and biennial renewal of a license to operate a crematory facility, four hundred dollars;

(10) For the reinstatement of a lapsed license to operate a crematory facility, the renewal fee prescribed in division (A)(9) of this section plus fifty dollars for each month or portion of a month the license is lapsed until reinstatement, but not more than five hundred dollars;

(11) For applying for the initial or biennial renewal of a crematory operator permit, one hundred fifty dollars;

(12) For the reinstatement of a lapsed crematory operator permit, the renewal fee prescribed in division (A)(11) of this section plus fifty dollars for each month or portion of a month the permit is lapsed, but not more than five hundred dollars;

(13) For the issuance of a duplicate of a license issued under this chapter, ten dollars;

(14) For each preneed funeral contract sold in the state other than those funded by the assignment of an existing insurance policy, ten dollars.

(B) In addition to the fees set forth in division (A) of this section, an applicant shall pay the examination fee assessed by any examining agency the board uses for any section of an examination required under this chapter.

(C) Subject to the approval of the controlling board, the board of embalmers and funeral directors may establish fees in excess of the amounts set forth in this section, provided that these fees do not exceed the amounts set forth in this section by more than fifty per cent.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 4:55 AM

Section 4717.08 | Renewals.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Every license and permit issued under this chapter expires on the last day of December of each even-numbered year and shall be renewed on or before that date according to the standard license renewal procedure set forth in Chapter 4745. of the Revised Code. Licenses and permits not renewed by the last day of December of each even-numbered year are lapsed.

(B) A holder of a lapsed license to operate a funeral home, license to operate an embalming facility, or license to operate a crematory facility or a crematory operator permit may reinstate the license or permit with the board by paying the lapsed license fee established under section 4717.07 of the Revised Code.

(C) A holder of a lapsed embalmer's or funeral director's license may reinstate the license with the board by paying the lapsed license fee established under section 4717.07 of the Revised Code, except that if the license is lapsed for more than one hundred eighty days after its expiration date, the holder also shall take and pass the Ohio laws examination for each license as a condition for reinstatement.

Last updated October 10, 2023 at 3:48 PM

Section 4717.09 | Continuing education.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Every two years, licensed embalmers and funeral directors shall attend between twelve and thirty hours of educational programs as a condition for renewal of their licenses. The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall adopt rules governing the administration and enforcement of the continuing education requirements of this section. The board may contract with a professional organization or association or other third party to assist it in performing functions necessary to administer and enforce the continuing education requirements of this section. A professional organization or association or other third party with whom the board so contracts may charge a reasonable fee for performing these functions to licensees or to the persons who provide continuing education programs.

(B) A person holding both an embalmer's license and a funeral director's license need meet only the continuing education requirements established by the board for one or the other of those licenses in order to satisfy the requirement of division (A) of this section.

(C) A person holding a courtesy card permit issued under section 4717.10 of the Revised Code is not required to satisfy the continuing education requirements specified in division (A) of this section as a condition of renewal of the permit.

(D) A crematory operator shall maintain an active certification from a crematory operator certification program as a condition for renewal of the permit.

(E) The board shall not renew the license of a licensee who fails to meet the continuing education requirements of this section and who has not been granted an exemption under division (F) or (G) of this section.

(F) Any licensee who fails to meet the continuing education requirements of this section because of undue hardship or disability, or who is not actively engaged in the practice of funeral directing or embalming in this state, may apply to the board for an exemption.

(G) Any licensee who has been an embalmer or funeral director for not less than fifty years and who is not actively in charge and ultimately responsible for a funeral home or embalming facility in this state may apply to the board for an exemption from the continuing education requirements specified in division (A) of this section.

(H) The board shall not renew the crematory operator permit of an individual who fails to satisfy the certification requirement of division (D) of this section.

Last updated February 14, 2023 at 1:57 PM

Section 4717.10 | Reciprocity; courtesy cards.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall issue an embalmer's or funeral director's license in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an applicant who holds a license in another state or who has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as an embalmer or funeral director in a state that does not issue that license. Such licenses shall be renewed biennially as provided in section 4717.08 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) The board of embalmers and funeral directors may issue courtesy card permits to nonresident funeral directors licensed in a state that borders this state. A courtesy card permit holder shall be authorized to undertake both the following acts in this state:

(a) Prepare and complete those sections of a death certificate and other permits needed for disposition of deceased human remains in this state and sign and file such death certificates and permits;

(b) Supervise and conduct funeral ceremonies, interments, and entombments in this state.

(2) Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code does not apply to a courtesy card permit issued under this division.

(C) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall determine under what conditions a courtesy card permit shall be issued to funeral directors in bordering states after taking into account whether and under what conditions and fees such border states issue similar courtesy card permits to funeral directors licensed in this state. A courtesy card permit holder shall comply with all applicable laws and rules of this state while engaged in any acts of funeral directing in this state. The board may revoke or suspend a courtesy card permit or subject a courtesy card permit holder to discipline in accordance with the laws, rules, and procedures applicable to funeral directors under this chapter. Applicants for courtesy card permits shall apply on forms prescribed by the board, pay a biennial fee set by the board for initial applications and renewals, and adhere to such other requirements imposed by the board on courtesy card permit holders.

(D) No courtesy card permit holder shall be authorized to undertake any of the following activities in this state:

(1) Arranging funerals or disposition services with members of the public in this state;

(2) Be employed by or under contract to a funeral home licensed in this state to perform funeral services in this state;

(3) Advertise funeral or disposition services in this state;

(4) Enter into or execute funeral or disposition contracts in this state;

(5) Prepare or embalm deceased human remains in this state;

(6) Arrange for or carry out the disinterment of human remains in this state.

(E) As used in this section, "courtesy card permit" means a special permit that may be issued to a nonresident funeral director licensed in a state that borders this state and who does not hold a funeral director's license under this chapter.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 6:34 AM

Section 4717.11 | Change of ownership or location of facility.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A)(1) A person who is licensed to operate a funeral home shall surrender that person's license to operate a funeral home within thirty days after a change in any of the following:

(a) The location of the funeral home;

(b) The person who is actually in charge and ultimately responsible for the funeral home;

(c) Ownership of the funeral home business that owns the funeral home that results in a majority of the ownership of the funeral business being held by one or more persons who solely or in combination with others did not own a majority of the funeral business immediately prior to the change in ownership.

(2) Within thirty days after a change described in division (A)(1) of this section occurs, the funeral director who will be actually in charge and ultimately responsible for the funeral home after the change shall apply for a new funeral home license. Upon the filing of an application for a funeral home license by a licensed funeral director, the funeral home may continue to operate until the board denies the funeral home's application.

(B)(1) A person who is licensed to operate an embalming facility shall surrender that person's license to operate an embalming facility within thirty days after a change in any of the following:

(a) The location of the embalming facility;

(b) The person who is actually in charge and ultimately responsible for the embalming facility;

(c) Ownership of the business entity that owns the embalming facility that results in a majority of the ownership of the business entity being held by one or more persons who solely or in combination with others did not own a majority of the business entity immediately prior to the change in ownership.

(2) Within thirty days after a change described in division (B)(1) of this section occurs, the person who will be actually in charge and ultimately responsible for the embalming facility after the change shall apply for a new license to operate the embalming facility. Upon filing of an application for a license to operate an embalming facility by a licensed embalmer, the embalming facility may continue to operate until the board denies the embalming facility's application.

(C)(1) A person who is licensed to operate a crematory facility shall surrender that person's license to operate a crematory facility within thirty days after a change in any of the following:

(a) The location of the crematory facility;

(b) The person who is actually in charge and ultimately responsible for the crematory facility;

(c) Ownership of the business entity that owns the crematory facility that results in a majority of the ownership of the business entity being held by one or more persons who alone or in combination with others did not own a majority of the business entity immediately prior to the change in ownership.

(2) Within thirty days after a change described in division (C)(1) of this section occurs, the person who will be actually in charge and ultimately responsible for the crematory facility after the change shall apply for a new license to operate the crematory facility. Upon the filing of an application for a license to operate a crematory facility by a person holding a crematory operator permit, the crematory facility may continue to operate until the board denies the crematory facility's application.

(D)(1) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall review applications for new licenses under section 4717.06 of the Revised Code.

(2) If the board, upon receiving satisfactory evidence, determines that the applicant satisfies all of the requirements of division (A), (B), (C), or (D) of section 4717.06 of the Revised Code with respect to a particular funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility, the board shall issue to the applicant a new license to operate that funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility.

Last updated October 10, 2023 at 3:53 PM

Section 4717.12 | Exemptions.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 481 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The following persons are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:

(1) An officer or employee of the department of health or any board of health, who, in compliance with rules or orders of the department of health or board of health, is preparing the body of a person whose death was caused by a virulent communicable disease;

(2) An officer, employee, or licensed physician of a medical college, when any of these are acting on behalf of a medical college;

(3) Any person carrying out sections 1713.34 to 1713.39 of the Revised Code, prescribing the conditions under which the bodies of indigent persons are held subject for anatomical study;

(4) Any person licensed in another state as a funeral director or embalmer who is assisting a funeral director or embalmer licensed under this chapter during a disaster or an emergency in the state that has been declared by this state or a political subdivision.

(B) This chapter does not prevent or interfere with any of the following:

(1) The ceremonies, customs, religious rights, or religion of any people, denomination, or sect;

(2) Any religious denomination or sect, or any body composed of members of a denomination;

(3) Any church or synagogue committee in preparing dead human bodies for burial;

(4) The conducting of funerals and the burial of dead human bodies in accordance with the ceremonies or rights described in division (B) of this section without the use, employment, or supervision of a licensed embalmer or funeral director, except when the body is that of a person whose death was caused by a virulent communicable disease, in which case the rules of the department of health or board of health having territorial jurisdiction shall apply.

Section 4717.13 | Prohibited conduct.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 224 - 134th General Assembly

(A) No person shall do any of the following:

(1) Engage in the business or profession of funeral directing unless the person is licensed as a funeral director under this chapter, is certified as an apprentice funeral director in accordance with rules adopted under section 4717.04 of the Revised Code and under the supervision of a funeral director licensed under this chapter, or is a student in a college of mortuary sciences approved by the board of embalmers and funeral directors and is under the direct supervision of a funeral director licensed by the board;

(2) Engage in embalming unless the person is licensed as an embalmer under this chapter, is certified as an apprentice embalmer in accordance with rules adopted under section 4717.04 of the Revised Code and is under the supervision of an embalmer licensed under this chapter, or is a student in a college of mortuary science approved by the board and is under the direct supervision of an embalmer licensed by the board;

(3) Advertise or otherwise offer to provide or convey the impression that the person provides funeral directing services unless the person is licensed as a funeral director under this chapter and is employed by or under contract to a licensed funeral home and performs funeral directing services for that funeral home in a manner consistent with the advertisement, offering, or conveyance;

(4) Advertise or otherwise offer to provide or convey the impression that the person provides embalming services unless the person is licensed as an embalmer under this chapter and is employed by or under contract to a licensed funeral home or a licensed embalming facility and performs embalming services for the funeral home or embalming facility in a manner consistent with the advertisement, offering, or conveyance;

(5) Operate a funeral home without a license to operate the funeral home issued by the board under this chapter;

(6) Practice the business or profession of funeral directing from any place except from a funeral home that a person is licensed to operate under this chapter;

(7) Practice embalming from any place except from a funeral home or embalming facility that a person is licensed to operate under this chapter;

(8) Operate a crematory or perform cremation without a license to operate the crematory issued under this chapter;

(9) Cremate animals in a cremation chamber in which dead human bodies or body parts are cremated or cremate dead human bodies or human body parts in a cremation chamber in which animals are cremated;

(10) Hold a dead human body, before final disposition, for more than forty-eight hours after the time of death unless the dead human body is embalmed or placed into refrigeration and maintained at a constant temperature of less than forty degrees;

(11) Knowingly refuse to promptly submit the custody of a dead human body or cremated remains upon the oral or written order of the person legally entitled to the body or cremated remains;

(12) Except as ordered by the coroner or the person holding the right of disposition under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code, knowingly fail to carry out the final disposition of a dead human body within thirty days after taking custody of the body;

(13) Engage in cremation as defined in section 4717.01 of the Revised Code unless the person holds a crematory operator permit under this chapter;

(14) Engage in the business or profession of funeral directing, engage in embalming, or operate a crematory or perform cremation with a lapsed license as defined under section 4717.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) No funeral director or other person in charge of the final disposition of a dead human body shall fail to do one of the following prior to the interment of the body:

(1) Affix to the ankle or wrist of the deceased a tag encased in a durable and long-lasting material that contains the name, date of birth, date of death, and social security number of the deceased;

(2) Place in the casket a capsule containing a tag bearing the information described in division (B)(1) of this section;

(3) If the body was cremated, place a tag bearing the information described in division (B)(1) of this section in any vessel containing either of the following:

(a) All the cremated remains;

(b) More than ten cubic inches of the cremated remains.

(C) No person who holds a funeral home license for a funeral home that is closed, or that is owned by a funeral business in which changes in the ownership of the funeral business result in a majority of the ownership of the funeral business being held by one or more persons who solely or in combination with others did not own a majority of the funeral business immediately prior to the change in ownership, shall fail to submit to the board within thirty days after the closing or such change of ownership of the funeral business owning the funeral home, a clearly enumerated account of all of the following from which the licensee, at the time of the closing or change of ownership of the funeral business and in connection with the funeral home, was to receive payment for providing the funeral services, funeral goods, or any combination of those in connection with the funeral or final disposition of a dead human body:

(1) Preneed funeral contracts governed by sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code;

(2) Life insurance policies or annuities the benefits of which are payable to the provider of funeral or burial goods or services;

(3) Accounts at banks or savings banks insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation, savings and loan associations insured by the federal savings and loan insurance corporation or the Ohio deposit guarantee fund, or credit unions insured by the national credit union administration or a credit union share guaranty corporation organized under Chapter 1761. of the Revised Code that are payable upon the death of the person for whose benefit deposits into the accounts were made.

(D)(1) No person who holds a funeral home license for a funeral home that is closed shall negligently fail to send written notice to the purchaser of every preneed funeral contract to which the funeral business is a party via first class United States mail. Such notice shall be addressed to the purchaser's last known address and shall explain that the funeral business is being closed and the name of any funeral business that has been designated to assume the obligations of the preneed contract.

(2) Within thirty days of the closing of a funeral home, no person who held the funeral home license for the closed funeral home shall negligently fail to transfer all preneed contracts to the funeral home or funeral homes that have been designated to assume the obligation of the preneed contracts. If the person who holds a funeral home license for a funeral home that is closed fails to designate a successor funeral home or funeral homes to assume the obligations of the preneed funeral contracts, the board shall make such designations and order the transfer of the preneed funeral contracts to the designated funeral home or funeral homes.

(E) No person who holds a license under this chapter for a facility that is going out of business and that is in possession of unclaimed cremated remains shall fail to submit to the board, within thirty days prior to the closing, a copy of the written notice required in division (F) of this section and a clearly enumerated account of all unclaimed cremated remains in possession of the facility.

(F) Within thirty days prior to the closing of a facility that is going out of business and that is in possession of unclaimed cremated remains, the person who is actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the facility shall send written notice via first-class mail to the last known address of the authorizing agent who executed the cremation authorization form or the person designated on the cremation authorization form to receive the cremated remains. Such notice shall include the following:

(1) A statement that the funeral business is going out of business and will close;

(2) The expected date of closure;

(3) The manner in which the unclaimed cremated remains will be disposed and, if applicable, the location from which the cremated remains can be retrieved.

(G) If the person who is actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the facility is unable to comply with divisions (F)(1) to (3) of this section and cannot locate the last known address of the authorizing agent who executed the cremation authorization form or the person designated on the cremation authorization form to receive the cremated remains, the person who is actually in charge of and ultimately responsible for the facility may seek a declaratory judgment to dispose of the unclaimed cremated remains from the probate court in the county in which the facility is located.

(H) Within thirty days prior to the closing of a facility that is going out of business, no person who held the license for the facility shall negligently fail to dispose of all unclaimed cremated remains as designated in the written notice or, if unclaimed in excess of sixty days, in a manner consistent with section 4717.27 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 10, 2023 at 3:55 PM

Section 4717.14 | Disciplinary actions.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The board of embalmers and funeral directors may, except as provided in division (G) of this section, refuse to grant or renew, or may suspend or revoke, any license or permit issued under this chapter or may require the holder of a license or permit to take corrective action courses for any of the following reasons:

(1) The holder of a license or permit obtained the license or permit by fraud or misrepresentation either in the application or in passing the examination.

(2) The licensee or permit holder has been convicted of or has pleaded guilty to a felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude.

(3) The applicant, licensee, or permit holder has recklessly violated any provision of sections 4717.01 to 4717.15 or a rule adopted under any of those sections; division (A) or (B) of section 4717.23; division (B)(1) or (2), (C)(1) or (2), (D), (E), or (F)(1) or (2), or divisions (H) to (K) of section 4717.26; division (D)(1) of section 4717.27; or divisions (A) to (C) of section 4717.28 of the Revised Code; or any provisions of sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code; any rule or order of the department of health or a board of health of a health district governing the disposition of dead human bodies; or any other rule or order applicable to the applicant or licensee.

(4) The licensee or permit holder has committed immoral or unprofessional conduct.

(5) The applicant or licensee knowingly permitted an unlicensed person, other than a person serving an apprenticeship, to engage in the profession or business of embalming or funeral directing under the applicant's or licensee's supervision.

(6) The applicant, licensee, or permit holder has been habitually intoxicated, or is addicted to the use of morphine, cocaine, or other habit-forming or illegal drugs.

(7) The applicant, licensee, or permit holder has refused to promptly submit the custody of a dead human body or cremated remains upon the express order of the person legally entitled to the body or cremated remains.

(8) The licensee or permit holder loaned the licensee's own license or the permit holder's own permit, or the applicant, licensee, or permit holder borrowed or used the license or permit of another person, or knowingly aided or abetted the granting of an improper license or permit.

(9) The applicant, licensee, or permit holder misled the public by using false or deceptive advertising. As used in this division, "false and deceptive advertising" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:

(a) Using the names of persons who are not licensed to practice funeral directing in a way that leads the public to believe that such persons are engaging in funeral directing;

(b) Using any name for the funeral home other than the name under which the funeral home is licensed;

(c) Using in the funeral home's name the surname of an individual who is not directly, actively, or presently associated with the funeral home, unless such surname has been previously and continuously used by the funeral home.

(10) The licensee or permit holder provided services to a person knowing that those services were sold to that person by another person who lacked a license or permit under this chapter to perform the services.

(B)(1) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall refuse to grant or renew, or shall suspend or revoke a license or permit only in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(2) The board shall send to the crematory review board written notice that it proposes to refuse to issue or renew, or proposes to suspend or revoke, a license to operate a crematory facility. If, after the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing on the matter conducted under division (F) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code, the board of embalmers and funeral directors finds that any of the circumstances described in divisions (A)(1) to (9) of this section apply to the person named in its proposed action, the board may issue a final order under division (F) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code refusing to issue or renew, or suspending or revoking, the person's license to operate a crematory facility.

(C) If the board of embalmers and funeral directors determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that any of the circumstances described in divisions (A)(1) to (9) of this section apply to the holder of a license or permit issued under this chapter and that the licensee's or permit holder's continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public, the board may suspend the licensee's license or permit holder's permit without a prior adjudicatory hearing. The executive director of the board shall prepare written allegations for consideration by the board.

The board, after reviewing the written allegations, may suspend a license or permit without a prior hearing.

Notwithstanding section 121.22 of the Revised Code, the board may suspend a license or permit under this division by utilizing a telephone conference call to review the allegations and to take a vote.

The board shall serve a written order of suspension in accordance with sections 119.05 and 119.07 of the Revised Code. Such an order is not subject to suspension by the court during the pendency of any appeal filed under section 119.12 of the Revised Code. If the licensee or permit holder requests an adjudicatory hearing by the board, the date set for the hearing shall be within fifteen days, but not earlier than seven days, after the licensee or permit holder has requested a hearing, unless the board and the licensee or permit holder agree to a different time for holding the hearing.

Upon issuing a written order of suspension to the holder of a license to operate a crematory facility, the board of embalmers and funeral directors shall send written notice of the issuance of the order to the crematory review board. The crematory review board shall hold an adjudicatory hearing on the order under division (F) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code within fifteen days, but not earlier than seven days, after the issuance of the order, unless the crematory review board and the licensee agree to a different time for holding the adjudicatory hearing.

Any summary suspension imposed under this division shall remain in effect, unless reversed on appeal, until a final adjudicatory order issued by the board of embalmers and funeral directors pursuant to this division and Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, or division (F) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code, as applicable, becomes effective. The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall issue its final adjudicatory order within sixty days after the completion of its hearing or, in the case of the summary suspension of a license to operate a crematory facility, within sixty days after completion of the adjudicatory hearing by the crematory review board. A failure to issue the order within that time results in the dissolution of the summary suspension order, but does not invalidate any subsequent final adjudicatory order.

(D) If the board of embalmers and funeral directors suspends or revokes a funeral director's license or a license to operate a funeral home for any reason identified in division (A) of this section, the board may file a complaint with the court of common pleas in the county where the violation occurred requesting appointment of a receiver and the sequestration of the assets of the funeral home that held the suspended or revoked license or the licensed funeral home that employs the funeral director that held the suspended or revoked license. If the court of common pleas is satisfied with the application for a receivership, the court may appoint a receiver.

The board or a receiver may employ and procure whatever assistance or advice is necessary in the receivership or liquidation and distribution of the assets of the funeral home, and, for that purpose, may retain officers or employees of the funeral home as needed. All expenses of the receivership or liquidation shall be paid from the assets of the funeral home and shall be a lien on those assets, and that lien shall be a priority to any other lien.

(E) Any holder of a license or permit issued under this chapter who has pleaded guilty to, has been found by a judge or jury to be guilty of, or has had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction entered against the individual in this state for aggravated murder, murder, voluntary manslaughter, felonious assault, kidnapping, rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, aggravated arson, aggravated robbery, or aggravated burglary, or who has pleaded guilty to, has been found by a judge or jury to be guilty of, or has had a judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction entered against the individual in another jurisdiction for any substantially equivalent criminal offense, is hereby suspended from practice under this chapter by operation of law, and any license or permit issued to the individual under this chapter is hereby suspended by operation of law as of the date of the guilty plea, verdict or finding of guilt, or judicial finding of eligibility for treatment in lieu of conviction, regardless of whether the proceedings are brought in this state or another jurisdiction. The board shall notify the suspended individual of the suspension of the individual's license or permit by the operation of law in accordance with sections 119.05 and 119.07 of the Revised Code. If an individual whose license or permit is suspended under this division fails to make a timely request for an adjudicatory hearing, the board shall enter a final order revoking the license.

(F) No person whose license or permit has been suspended or revoked under or by the operation of this section shall knowingly practice embalming, funeral directing, or cremation, or operate a funeral home, embalming facility, or crematory facility until the board has reinstated the person's license or permit.

(G) The board shall not refuse to issue a license or permit to an applicant because of a conviction of or plea of guilty to a criminal offense unless the refusal is in accordance with section 9.79 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 11, 2023 at 12:00 PM

Section 4717.15 | Issuing notice of violation.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The board of embalmers and funeral directors, without the necessity for conducting a prior adjudication hearing, may issue a notice of violation to the holder of an embalmer's, funeral director's, funeral home, or embalming facility, or crematory facility license, or a crematory operator permit or a courtesy card permit issued under this chapter who the board finds has committed any of the violations described in division (A)(9) of section 4717.04 of the Revised Code. The notice shall set forth the specific violation committed by the licensee or permit holder and shall be sent by certified mail. The notice shall be accompanied by an order requiring the payment of the appropriate forfeiture prescribed in rules adopted under division (A)(9) of section 4717.04 of the Revised Code and by a notice informing the licensee or permit holder that the licensee is entitled to an adjudicatory hearing on the notice of violation and order if the licensee or permit holder requests a hearing and if the board receives the request within thirty days after the mailing of the notice of violation and order. The board shall conduct any such adjudicatory hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, except as otherwise provided in this division.

A licensee or permit holder who receives a notice of violation and order under this division shall pay to the executive director of the board the full amount of the forfeiture by certified check within thirty days after the notice of violation and order were mailed to the licensee or permit holder unless, within that time, the licensee or permit holder submits a request for an adjudicatory hearing on the notice of violation and order. If such a request for an adjudicatory hearing is timely filed, the licensee or permit holder need not pay the forfeiture to the executive director until after a final, nonappealable administrative or judicial decision is rendered on the order requiring payment of the forfeiture. If a final nonappealable administrative or judicial decision is rendered affirming the board's order, the licensee or permit holder shall pay to the executive director of the board the full amount of the forfeiture by certified check within thirty days after notice of the decision was sent to the licensee. A forfeiture is considered to be paid when the licensee's or permit holder's certified check is received by the executive director in Columbus. If the licensee or permit holder fails to so pay the full amount of the forfeiture to the executive director within that time, the board shall issue an order suspending or revoking the individual's license or permit, as the board considers appropriate.

(B) The board shall send to the crematory review board written notice that it proposes to issue to the holder of a license to operate a crematory facility issued under this chapter a notice of violation and order requiring payment of a forfeiture specified in rules adopted under division (A)(9) of section 4717.04 of the Revised Code. If, after the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing on the matter conducted under division (F) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code, the board of embalmers and funeral directors finds that the licensee has committed any of the violations described in division (A)(9) of section 4717.04 of the Revised Code in connection with the operation of a crematory facility or cremation, the board of embalmers and funeral directors may issue a final order under division (F) of section 4717.03 of the Revised Code requiring payment of the appropriate forfeiture specified in rules adopted under division (A)(9) of section 4717.04 of the Revised Code. A licensee who receives such an order shall pay the full amount of the forfeiture to the executive director by certified check within thirty days after the order was sent to the licensee unless, within that time, the licensee files a notice of appeal in accordance with division (F) of section 4717.03 and section 119.12 of the Revised Code. If such a notice of appeal is timely filed, the licensee or permit holder need not pay the forfeiture to the executive director until after a final, nonappealable judicial decision is rendered in the appeal. If a final, nonappealable judicial decision is rendered affirming the board's order, the licensee or permit holder shall pay to the executive director the full amount of the forfeiture by certified check within thirty days after notice of the decision was sent to the licensee or permit holder. A forfeiture is considered paid when the licensee's or permit holder's certified check is received by the executive director in Columbus. If the licensee or permit holder fails to so pay the full amount of the forfeiture to the executive director within that time, the board shall issue an order suspending or revoking the individual's license, as the board considers appropriate.

Last updated October 10, 2023 at 3:57 PM

Section 4717.16 | Effect of child support default on license.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

On receipt of a notice pursuant to section 3123.43 of the Revised Code, the board of embalmers and funeral directors shall comply with sections 3123.41 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code and any applicable rules adopted under section 3123.63 of the Revised Code with respect to a license or permit issued pursuant to this chapter.

Section 4717.17 | Designating eye or tissue bank - immunity.

• Effective: April 7, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 529 - 127th General Assembly

A funeral director acting in good faith is not liable in damages for injury resulting from acting or attempting to act in accordance with sections 2108.01 to 2108.29 of the Revised Code regarding an anatomical gift.

Section 4717.20 | Cremation definitions.

• Effective: August 5, 1998
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 117 - 122nd General Assembly

As used in sections 4717.20 to 4717.30 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Alternative container" means a receptacle, other than a casket, in which a dead human body or body parts are transported to a crematory facility and placed in the cremation chamber for cremation, and that meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Is composed of readily combustible materials that are suitable for cremation;

(2) May be closed in order to provide a complete covering for the dead human body or body parts;

(3) Is resistant to leakage or spillage;

(4) Is sufficiently rigid to be handled readily;

(5) Provides protection for the health and safety of crematory personnel.

(B) "Authorizing agent" means the person or persons identified in section 4717.21 or 4717.22 of the Revised Code who are entitled to order the cremation of a decedent or body parts and to order the final disposition of the cremated remains of a decedent or body parts.

(C) "Body parts" means limbs or other portions of the anatomy that are removed from a living person for medical purposes during biopsy, treatment, or surgery. "Body parts" also includes dead human bodies that have been donated to science for purposes of medical education or research and any parts of such a dead human body that were removed for those purposes.

(D) "Burial or burial-transit permit" means a burial permit or burial-transit permit issued under section 3705.17 of the Revised Code or the laws of another state that are substantially similar to that section.

(E) "Casket" means a rigid container that is designed for the encasement of a dead human body and that is constructed of wood, metal, or another rigid material, is ornamented and lined with fabric, and may or may not be combustible.

(F) "Temporary container" means a receptacle for cremated remains composed of cardboard, plastic, metal, or another material that can be closed in a manner that prevents the leakage or spillage of the cremated remains and the entrance of foreign material, and that is of sufficient size to hold the cremated remains until they are placed in an urn or scattered.

(G) "Urn" means a receptacle designed to encase cremated remains permanently.

Section 4717.21 | Executing antemortem cremation authorization form.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Any person, on an antemortem basis, may serve as the person's own authorizing agent, authorize the person's own cremation, and specify the arrangements for the final disposition of the person's own cremated remains by executing an antemortem cremation authorization form. A guardian, custodian, or other personal representative who is authorized by law or contract to do so on behalf of a person, on an antemortem basis, may authorize the cremation of the person and specify the arrangements for the final disposition of the person's cremated remains by executing an antemortem cremation authorization form on the person's behalf. Any such antemortem cremation authorization form also shall be signed by one witness. The original copy of the executed authorization form shall be sent to the crematory facility being authorized to conduct the cremation, and a copy shall be retained by the person who executed the authorization form. The person who executed an antemortem cremation authorization form may revoke the authorization at any time by providing written notice of the revocation to the crematory facility named in the authorization form. The person who executed the authorization form may transfer the authorization to another crematory facility by providing written notice to the crematory facility named in the original authorization of the revocation of the authorization and, in accordance with this division, executing a new antemortem cremation authorization form authorizing another crematory facility to conduct the cremation.

(B)(1) Each antemortem cremation authorization form shall specify the final disposition that is to be made of the cremated remains.

(2) Every antemortem cremation authorization form entered into on or after October 12, 2006, shall specify the final disposition that is to be made of the remains and shall include a provision in substantially the following form:

NOTICE: Upon the death of the person who is the subject of this antemortem cremation authorization, the person holding the right of disposition under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code may cancel the cremation arrangements, modify the arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains, or make alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent's body. However, the person executing this antemortem cremation authorization is encouraged to state his or her preferences as to the manner of final disposition in a declaration of the right of disposition pursuant to section 2108.72 of the Revised Code, including that the arrangements set forth in this form shall be followed.

(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, when the crematory facility is in possession of a cremation authorization form that has been executed on an antemortem basis in accordance with this section, the other conditions set forth in division (A) of section 4717.23 of the Revised Code have been met, the crematory facility has possession of the decedent to which the antemortem authorization pertains, and the crematory facility has received payment for the cremation of the decedent and the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or is otherwise assured of payment for those services, the crematory facility shall cremate the decedent as directed and dispose of the cremated remains in accordance with the instructions contained in the antemortem cremation authorization form.

(2) A person with the right of disposition for a decedent under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code who is not disqualified under section 2108.75 of the Revised Code may cancel the arrangements for the decedent's cremation, modify the arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent's cremated remains, or make alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent's body. If a person with the right takes any such action, the crematory facility shall disregard the instructions contained in the antemortem cremation authorization form and follow the instructions of the person with the right.

(D) An antemortem cremation authorization form executed under division (A) of this section does not constitute a contract for conducting the cremation of the person named in the authorization form or for the final disposition of the person's cremated remains. Despite the existence of such an antemortem cremation authorization, a person with the right of disposition for a decedent under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code may modify, in writing, the arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent set forth in the authorization form or may cancel the cremation and claim the decedent's body for purposes of making alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent's body. The revocation of an antemortem cremation authorization form executed under division (A) of this section, or the cancellation of the cremation of the person named in the antemortem authorization or modification of the arrangements for the final disposition of the person's cremated remains as authorized by this division, does not affect the validity or enforceability of any contract entered into for the cremation of the person named in the antemortem authorization or for the final disposition of the person's cremated remains.

(E) Nothing in this section applies to any antemortem cremation authorization form executed prior to August 5, 1998. Any cemetery, funeral home, crematory facility, or other party may specify, with the written approval of the person who executed the antemortem authorization, that such an antemortem authorization is subject to sections 4717.21 to 4717.30 of the Revised Code.

Section 4717.22 | Authorizing agents for cremation.

• Effective: October 12, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 426 - 126th General Assembly

(A) The person who has the right of disposition under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code may serve as an authorizing agent for the cremation of a dead human body, including, without limitation, a dead human body that was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research.

(B) If body parts were removed from a living person, the person from whom the body parts were removed or the person who has the right of disposition under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code may serve as the authorizing agent for the cremation of the body parts.

(C) If body parts were removed from a decedent whose body was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research, the person who has the right of disposition under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code may serve as the authorizing agent for the cremation of the body parts. In the absence of any action by the person with the right of disposition with respect to the cremation of such body parts, the medical education or research facility to which the decedent's body was donated may serve as the authorizing agent for the cremation of such parts.

Section 4717.23 | Prohibited acts by operator of facility prior to cremation.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) No crematory operator or crematory facility shall cremate or allow the cremation of a dead human body, other than one that was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research, until all of the following have occurred:

(1) A period of at least twenty-four hours has elapsed since the decedent's death as indicated on a complete, nonprovisional death certificate filed under section 3705.16 of the Revised Code or under the laws of another state that are substantially equivalent to that section, unless, if the decedent died from a virulent communicable disease, the department of health or board of health having territorial jurisdiction where the death of the decedent occurred requires by rule or order the cremation to occur prior to the end of that period;

(2) The crematory facility has received a burial or burial-transit permit that authorizes the cremation of the decedent;

(3) The crematory facility has received a completed cremation authorization form executed pursuant to section 4717.21 or 4717.24 of the Revised Code, as applicable, that authorizes the cremation of the decedent. A blank cremation authorization form shall be provided by the crematory facility and shall comply with section 4717.24 of the Revised Code and, if applicable, section 4717.21 of the Revised Code.

(4) The crematory facility has received any other documentation required by this state or a political subdivision of this state.

(B) No crematory operator or crematory facility shall cremate or allow the cremation of any body parts, including, without limitation, dead human bodies that were donated to science for purposes of medical research or education, at a crematory facility licensed to operate in this state until both of the following have occurred:

(1) The crematory facility has received a completed cremation authorization form executed pursuant to section 4717.25 of the Revised Code or, if the decedent has executed an antemortem cremation authorization form in accordance with section 4717.21 of the Revised Code and has donated the decedent's body to science for purposes of medical education or research, such an antemortem cremation authorization form;

(2) The crematory facility has received any other documentation required by this state or a political subdivision of this state.

Section 4717.24 | Cremation authorization form.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 224 - 134th General Assembly

(A) A cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of a dead human body, other than one that was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research, shall include at least all of the following information and statements:

(1) A statement that the decedent has been identified in accordance with division (B) of this section;

(2) The name of the funeral director or other individual who obtained the burial or burial-transit permit authorizing the cremation of the decedent;

(3) The name of the authorizing agent and the relationship of the authorizing agent to the decedent;

(4) A statement that the authorizing agent in fact has the right to authorize cremation of the decedent and that the authorizing agent does not have actual knowledge of the existence of any living person who has a superior priority right to act as the authorizing agent under section 4717.22 of the Revised Code. If the person executing the cremation authorization form knows of another living person who has such a superior priority right, the authorization form shall include a statement indicating that the person executing the authorization form has made reasonable efforts to contact the person having the superior priority right and has been unable to do so and that the person executing the authorization form has no reason to believe that the person having the superior priority right would object to the cremation of the decedent.

(5) A statement of whether the authorizing agent has actual knowledge of the presence in the decedent of a pacemaker, defibrillator, or any other mechanical or radioactive device or implant that poses a hazard to the health or safety of personnel performing the cremation;

(6) A statement indicating the crematory facility is to cremate the casket or alternative container in which the decedent was delivered to or accepted by the crematory facility;

(7) A statement of whether the crematory facility is authorized to simultaneously cremate the decedent in the same cremation chamber with one or more other decedents who were related to the decedent named in the cremation authorization form by consanguinity or affinity or who, at any time during the one-year period preceding the decedent's death, lived with the decedent in a common law marital relationship or otherwise cohabited with the decedent. A cremation authorization form executed under this section shall not authorize the simultaneous cremation of a decedent in the same cremation chamber with one or more other decedents except under the circumstances described in the immediately preceding sentence.

(8) The names of any persons designated by the authorizing agent to be present in the holding facility or cremation room prior to or during the cremation of the decedent or during the removal of the cremated remains from the cremation chamber;

(9) The authorization for the crematory facility to cremate the decedent and to process or pulverize the cremated remains as is the practice at the particular crematory facility;

(10) A statement of whether it is the crematory facility's practice to return all of the residue removed from the cremation chamber following the cremation or to separate and remove foreign matter from the residue before returning the cremated remains to the authorizing agent or the person designated on the authorization form to receive the cremated remains pursuant to division (A)(11) of this section;

(11) The name of the person who is to receive the cremated remains of the decedent from the crematory facility;

(12) The manner in which the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent is to occur, if known. If the cremation authorization form does not specify the manner of the final disposition of the cremated remains, it shall indicate that the cremated remains will be held by the crematory facility for thirty days after the cremation, unless, prior to the end of that period, they are picked up from the crematory facility by the person designated on the cremation authorization form to receive them, the authorizing agent, or, if applicable, the funeral director who obtained the burial or burial-transit permit for the decedent, or are delivered or shipped by the crematory facility to one of those persons. The authorization form shall indicate that if no instructions for the final disposition are provided on the authorization form and that if no arrangements for final disposition have been made within the thirty-day period, the crematory facility may return the cremated remains to the authorizing agent. The authorization form shall further indicate that if no arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains have been made within sixty days after the completion of the cremation and if the authorizing agent has not picked them up or caused them to be picked up within that period, the crematory operator or crematory facility may dispose of them in accordance with division (C) of section 4717.27 of the Revised Code.

(13) A listing of the items of value to be delivered to the crematory facility along with the dead human body, if any, and instructions regarding how those items are to be handled;

(14) A statement of whether the authorizing agent has made arrangements for any type of viewing of the decedent or for a service with the decedent present prior to the cremation and, if so, the date, time, and place of the service;

(15) A statement of whether the crematory facility may proceed with the cremation at any time after the conditions set forth in division (A) of section 4717.23 of the Revised Code have been met and the decedent has been received at the facility;

(16) The certification of the authorizing agent to the effect that all of the information and statements contained in the authorization form are accurate;

(17) The signature of the authorizing agent and the signature of at least one witness who observed the authorizing agent execute the cremation authorization form.

(B) In making the identification of the decedent required by division (A)(1) of this section, the funeral home arranging the cremation shall require the authorizing agent or the agent's appointed representative to visually identify the decedent's remains or a photograph or other visual image of the remains. If identification is by photograph or other visual image, the authorizing agent or representative shall sign the photograph or other visual image. If visual identification is not feasible, other positive identification of the decedent may be used including, but not limited to, reliance upon an identification made through the coroner's office or identification of photographs or other visual images of scars, tattoos, or physical deformities taken from the decedent's remains.

(C) An authorizing agent who is not available to execute a cremation authorization form in person may designate another individual to serve as the authorizing agent by providing to the crematory facility where the cremation is to occur a written designation, signed by the authorizing agent and by a witness who observed the authorizing agent execute the designation, authorizing that other individual to serve as the authorizing agent. Any such written designation shall contain the name of the decedent, the name and address of the authorizing agent, the relationship of the authorizing agent to the decedent, and the name and address of the individual who is being designated to serve as the authorizing agent. Upon receiving such a written designation, the operator shall permit the individual named in the written designation to serve as the authorizing agent and to execute the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent named in the written designation.

(D) An authorizing agent who signs a cremation authorization form under this section is hereby deemed to warrant the accuracy of the information and statements contained in such authorization form, including the identification of the decedent and the agent's authority to authorize the cremation. A funeral home and its employees are not responsible for verifying the accuracy of any information or statements the authorizing agent made on the authorization form, unless the funeral home or its employees have actual knowledge to the contrary regarding any such information or statement. When delivering the decedent's remains to a crematory facility or in carrying out the disposition in its own facility, the funeral home is responsible for having the decedent identified pursuant to division (B) of this section and carrying out the obligations imposed on the funeral home by division (B) of section 4717.29 of the Revised Code.

(E) At any time after executing a cremation authorization form and prior to the beginning of the cremation process, the authorizing agent who executed the cremation authorization form under division (A) or (C) of this section may, in writing, modify the arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent set forth in the authorization form or may, in writing, revoke the authorization, cancel the cremation, and claim the decedent's body for purposes of making alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent's body. The crematory facility shall cancel the cremation if the crematory facility receives such a revocation before beginning the cremation.

(F) A cremation authorization form executed under this section does not constitute a contract for conducting the cremation of the decedent named in the authorization form or for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent. The revocation of a cremation authorization form or modification of the arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent pursuant to division (E) of this section does not affect the validity or enforceability of any contract for the cremation of the decedent named in the authorization form or for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent.

Last updated July 15, 2022 at 2:11 PM

Section 4717.25 | Body or parts donated to science.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) A cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of any body parts, including, without limitation, dead human bodies that were donated to science for purposes of medical education or research shall include at least all of the following information and statements, as applicable:

(1) The identity of the decedent whose body was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research or the identity of the living person or such a decedent from whom the body parts were removed;

(2) The name of the authorizing agent and the relationship of the authorizing agent to the decedent or the living person from whom the body parts were removed;

(3) A statement that the authorizing agent in fact has the right to authorize the cremation of the decedent or the body parts removed from the decedent or living person and a description of the basis of the person's right to execute the cremation authorization form;

(4) A statement of whether the crematory facility is authorized to simultaneously cremate the decedent or body parts removed from the decedent or living person with one or more other decedents whose bodies were donated to science for purposes of medical education or research or with body parts removed from one or more other decedents or living persons;

(5) The authorization for the crematory facility to cremate the decedent or body parts removed from the decedent or living person and to process or pulverize the cremated remains as is the practice at the particular crematory facility;

(6) A statement of whether it is the crematory facility's practice to return all of the residue removed from the cremation chamber following the cremation or to separate and remove foreign matter from the residue before returning the cremated remains to the authorizing agent or the authorizing agent's designee;

(7) The name of the person who is to receive the cremated remains from the crematory facility;

(8) The manner in which the final disposition of the cremated remains is to occur, if known. If the cremation authorization form does not specify the manner of the final disposition of the cremated remains, it shall indicate that the cremated remains will be held by the crematory facility for thirty days after the cremation, unless, prior to the end of that period, they are picked up from the crematory facility by the person designated on the authorization form to receive them or by the authorizing agent, or are delivered or shipped by the crematory facility to one of those persons. The authorization form shall indicate that if no instructions for the final disposition of the cremated remains are provided on the authorization form and that if no arrangements for final disposition have been made within the thirty-day period, the crematory facility may return the cremated remains to the authorizing agent. The authorization form shall further indicate that if no arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains have been made within sixty days after the cremation and if the authorizing agent or person designated on the authorization form to receive the cremated remains has not picked them up or caused them to be picked up within that period, the crematory operator or the crematory facility may dispose of them in accordance with division (C)(1) or (2) of section 4717.27 of the Revised Code.

(9) The certification of the authorizing agent to the effect that all of the information and statements contained in the authorization form are accurate.

(B) An authorizing agent who signs a cremation authorization form under this section is hereby deemed to warrant the accuracy of the information and statements contained in the authorization form, including the person's authority to authorize the cremation.

(C) At any time after executing a cremation authorization form and prior to the beginning of the cremation process, an authorizing agent who executed a cremation authorization form under this section may, in writing, revoke the authorization, cancel the cremation, and claim the decedent's body or the body parts for purposes of making alternative arrangements for the final disposition of the decedent's body or the body parts. The crematory facility shall cancel the cremation if the crematory facility receives such a revocation before beginning the cremation.

(D) A cremation authorization form executed under this section does not constitute a contract for conducting the cremation of the decedent named in the authorization form or body parts removed from the decedent or living person named in the form or for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or body parts. The revocation of a cremation authorization form or modification of the arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or the body parts pursuant to division (C) of this section does not affect the validity or enforceability of any contract for the cremation of the decedent named in the authorization form, the cremation of body parts from the decedent or living person named in the authorization form, or the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or body parts.

Section 4717.26 | Procedure for cremation.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The crematory facility may schedule the time for the cremation of a dead human body to occur at the crematory facility's own convenience at any time after the conditions set forth in division (A) or (B) of section 4717.23 of the Revised Code, as applicable, have been met and the decedent or body parts have been delivered to the facility, unless, in the case of a dead human body, the crematory facility has received specific instructions to the contrary on the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code. The crematory facility becomes responsible for a dead human body or body parts when the body or body parts have been delivered to or accepted by the facility or an employee or agent of the facility.

(B) No crematory operator or crematory facility shall fail to do either of the following:

(1) Upon receipt at the crematory facility of any dead human body that has not been embalmed, and subject to the prohibition set forth in division (C)(1) of this section, place the body in a holding or refrigerated facility at the crematory facility and keep the body in the holding or refrigerated facility until near the time the cremation process commences or until the body is held at the facility for eight hours or longer. If the body is held for eight hours or longer, place the body in a refrigerated facility at the crematory facility and keep the body in the refrigerated facility until near the time the cremation process commences;

(2) Upon receipt of any dead human body that has been embalmed, place the body in a holding facility at the crematory facility and keep the body in the holding facility until the cremation process commences.

(C) No crematory operator or crematory facility shall do either of the following, unless the instructions contained in the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code specifically provide otherwise:

(1) Remove any dead human body from the casket or alternative container in which the body was delivered to or accepted by the crematory facility;

(2) Fail to cremate the casket or alternative container in which the body was delivered or accepted, in its entirety with the body.

(D) No crematory facility shall simultaneously cremate more than one decedent or body parts removed from more than one decedent or living person in the same cremation chamber unless the cremation authorization forms executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code authorizing the cremation of each of the decedents or body parts removed from each decedent or living person specifically authorize such a simultaneous cremation. This division does not prohibit the use of cremation equipment that contains more than one cremation chamber.

(E) No crematory facility shall permit any persons other than employees of the crematory facility, the authorizing agent for the cremation of the decedent who is to be, is being, or was cremated, persons designated to be present at the cremation of the decedent on the cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.21 or 4717.24 of the Revised Code, and persons authorized by the individual who is actually in charge of the crematory facility, to be present in the holding facility or cremation room while any dead human bodies or body parts are being held there prior to cremation or are being cremated or while any cremated remains are being removed from the cremation chamber.

(F)(1) No crematory facility shall remove any dental gold, body parts, organs, or other items of value from a dead human body prior to the cremation or from the cremated remains after cremation unless the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent executed under section 4717.21 or 4717.24 of the Revised Code specifically authorizes the removal thereof.

(2) No crematory facility that removes any dental gold, body parts, organs, or other items from a dead human body or assists in such removal shall charge a fee for doing so that exceeds the actual cost to the crematory facility for performing or assisting in the removal.

(G) Upon the completion of each cremation, the crematory facility shall remove from the cremation chamber all of the cremation residue that is practicably recoverable. If the cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code specifies that the cremated remains are to be placed in an urn, the crematory facility shall place them in the type of urn specified on the authorization form. If the authorization form does not specify that the cremated remains are to be placed in an urn, the crematory facility shall place them in a temporary container. If not all of the recovered cremated remains will fit in the urn selected or the temporary container, the crematory facility shall place the remainder in a separate temporary container, and the cremated remains placed in the separate temporary container shall be delivered, released, or disposed of along with those in the urn or other temporary container. Nothing in this section requires a crematory facility to recover any specified quantity or quality of cremated remains upon the completion of a cremation, but only requires a crematory facility to recover from the cremation chamber all of the cremation residue that is practicably recoverable.

(H) No crematory facility shall knowingly represent to an authorizing agent or a designee of an authorizing agent that an urn or temporary container contains the recovered cremated remains of a specific decedent or of body parts removed from a specific decedent or living person when it does not. This division does not prohibit the making of such a representation because of the presence in the recovered cremated remains of de minimus amounts of the cremated remains of another decedent or of body parts removed from another decedent or living person that were not practicably recoverable and that remained in the cremation chamber after the cremated remains from previous cremations were removed.

(I) No crematory facility or funeral director shall ship or cause to be shipped any cremated remains by a class or method of mail, common carrier service, or delivery service that does not have an internal system for tracing the location of the cremated remains during shipment and that does not require a signed receipt from the person accepting delivery of the cremated remains.

(J) No crematory facility shall fail to establish and maintain a system for accurately identifying each dead human body in the facility's possession, and for identifying each decedent or living person from which body parts in the facility's possession were removed, throughout all phases of the holding and cremation process.

(K) No crematory facility shall knowingly use or allow the use of the same cremation chamber for the cremation of dead human bodies, or human body parts, and animals.

Last updated October 11, 2023 at 12:03 PM

Section 4717.27 | Disposing of cremated remains.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The authorizing agent who executed the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of a decedent under section 4717.24 of the Revised Code or the cremation of body parts under section 4717.25 of the Revised Code is ultimately responsible for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or body parts.

(B) If the cremation authorization form does not contain instructions for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or body parts, if no arrangements for the disposition of the cremated remains are made within thirty days after the completion of the cremation, and if the cremated remains have not been picked up within that thirty-day period by the person designated to receive them on the authorization form or, in the absence of such a designated person, by the authorizing agent, the crematory facility or the funeral home holding the unclaimed cremated remains, at the end of that thirty-day period, may release or deliver them in person to, or cause their delivery by a method described in division (I) of section 4717.26 of the Revised Code that is acceptable under that division to, the person designated to receive them on the cremation authorization form or, if no person has been so designated, to the authorizing agent.

(C)(1) If the cremation authorization form does not contain instructions for the final disposition of the cremated remains of the decedent or body parts, if no arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains are made within sixty days after the completion of the cremation, and if the cremated remains have not been picked up by the person designated on the authorization form to receive them or, in the absence of such a designated person, by the authorizing agent, the crematory facility or the funeral home holding the unclaimed cremated remains may dispose of the cremated remains in a grave, crypt, or niche, by scattering them in any dignified manner, including in a memorial garden, at sea, by air, or at any scattering grounds described in section 1721.21 of the Revised Code, or in any other lawful manner, at any time after the end of that sixty-day period.

(2) If the cremation authorization form specifies the manner of the final disposition of the cremated remains, or if within sixty days after the completion of the cremation the authorizing agent makes arrangements for the final disposition of the cremated remains, and if either the arrangements have not been carried out within that sixty-day period because of the inaction of a party other than the operator of the crematory facility or the funeral home holding the unclaimed cremated remains, or the authorizing agent fails to pick up the cremated remains within that sixty-day period, the crematory facility or the funeral home holding the unclaimed cremated remains may dispose of the cremated remains in a grave, crypt, or niche, by scattering them in any dignified manner, including in a memorial garden, at sea, by air, or at any scattering grounds described in section 1721.21 of the Revised Code, or in any other lawful manner, at any time after the end of that period.

(3) If cremated remains of a decedent who was eighteen years or older at the time of death are unclaimed under divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section, the crematory facility or the funeral home holding the cremated remains shall, before disposing of the unclaimed cremated remains, notify the secretary of the United States department of veterans affairs of the name of, and other identifying information related to, the decedent. If, within sixty days of the notification, the secretary of the department of veterans affairs notifies the crematory facility or funeral home that the decedent was a veteran who is eligible for burial in a national cemetery under the control of the national cemetery administration and that the secretary agrees to provide for the cost of the transportation and burial of the unclaimed cremated remains in a national cemetery, the crematory facility or funeral home shall follow the directions of the secretary and arrange for the burial of the unclaimed remains in the national cemetery at the secretary's expense. If the secretary does not assume the right to direct the burial of the unclaimed remains within sixty days of the notification by the crematory facility or funeral home, the crematory facility or funeral home may carry out the disposition of the unclaimed remains under divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section.

(4) When cremated remains are disposed of in accordance with division (C)(1) or (2) of this section, the authorizing agent who executed the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent or body parts under section 4717.24 or 4717.25 of the Revised Code is liable to the crematory facility or the funeral home for the cost of the final disposition, which cost shall not exceed the reasonable cost for disposing of the cremated remains in a common grave or crypt in the county where the cremated remains were buried or placed in a grave, crypt or niche, or scattered.

(D)(1) Except as provided in division (D)(2) of this section, no person shall do either of the following:

(a) Dispose of the cremated remains of a dead human body or body parts in such a manner or in such a location that the cremated remains are commingled with those of another decedent or body parts removed from another decedent or living person;

(b) Place the cremated remains of more than one decedent or of body parts removed from more than one decedent or living person in the same urn or temporary container.

(2) Division (D)(1) of this section does not prohibit any of the following:

(a) The scattering of cremated remains at sea or by air or in a dedicated area at a cemetery used exclusively for the scattering on the ground of the cremated remains of dead human bodies or body parts.

(b) The commingling of the cremated remains of more than one decedent or of body parts removed from more than one decedent or living person or the placement in the same urn or temporary container of the cremated remains of more than one decedent or of body parts removed from more than one decedent or living person when each authorizing agent who executed the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of each of the decedents or body parts removed from each of the decedents or living persons under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code authorized the commingling of the cremated remains or the placement of the cremated remains in the same urn or temporary container on the authorization form.

(c) The commingling, by the individual designated on the cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent or body parts to receive the cremated remains, other than a funeral director or employee of a cemetery, or by the authorizing agent who executed the cremation authorization form, after receipt of the cremated remains, of the cremated remains with those of another decedent or of body parts removed from another decedent or living person or the placing of them by any such person in the same urn or temporary container with those of another decedent or of body parts removed from another decedent or living person.

Section 4717.271 | Crematory operator requirements for fetal remains.

• Effective: April 6, 2021
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 27 - 133rd General Assembly

The following applies to a crematory operator that cremates fetal remains for an abortion facility under Chapter 3726. of the Revised Code.

(A) A crematory operator shall not do any of the following:

(1) Cremate fetal remains without receiving a copy of a properly executed detachable supplemental form described in division (C)(1) of section 3726.14 of the Revised Code;

(2) Dispose of the cremated fetal remains by a means other than one of the following:

(a) Placing them in a grave, crypt, or niche;

(b) Scattering them in any dignified manner, including in a memorial garden, at sea, by air, or at a scattering ground described in section 1721.21 of the Revised Code;

(c) Any other lawful manner.

(3) Arrange for the disposal of the cremated fetal remains by a means other than one described in division (A)(2) of this section;

(4) Arrange for the transfer of the cremated fetal remains for disposal by a means other than one described in division (A)(2) of this section.

(B) A crematory operator is not required to secure a death certificate, a burial or burial-transit permit, or a cremation authorization form to cremate fetal remains.

Section 4717.28 | Records.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 224 - 134th General Assembly

(A) No crematory facility shall fail to ensure that a written receipt is provided to the person who delivers a dead human body or body parts to the facility for cremation. If the dead human body is other than one that was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research, the receipt shall be signed by both a representative of the crematory facility and the person who delivered the decedent to the crematory facility and shall indicate the name of the decedent; the date and time of delivery; the type of casket or alternative container in which the decedent was delivered to the facility; the name of the person who delivered the decedent to the facility; if applicable, the name of the funeral home or other establishment with whom the delivery person is affiliated; and the name of the person who received the decedent on behalf of the facility. If the dead human body was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research, the receipt shall consist of a copy of the cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code that authorizes the cremation of the decedent or body parts that has been signed by both a representative of the crematory facility and the person who delivered the decedent or body parts to the crematory facility and that indicates the date and time of the delivery. The operator may provide the copy of the receipt to the person who delivered the decedent or body parts to the facility either in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(B) No crematory facility shall fail to ensure at the time of releasing cremated remains that a written receipt signed by both a representative of the crematory facility and the person who received the cremated remains is provided to the person who received the cremated remains. Unless the cremated remains are those of a dead human body that was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research or are those of body parts, the receipt shall indicate the name of the decedent; the date and time of the release; the name of the person to whom the cremated remains were released; if applicable, the name of the funeral home, cemetery, or other entity to whom the cremated remains were released; and the name of the person who released the cremated remains on behalf of the crematory facility. If the cremated remains are those of a dead human body that was donated to science for purposes of medical education or research or are those of body parts, the receipt shall consist of a copy of the cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code that authorizes the cremation of the decedent or body parts that has been signed by both a representative of the crematory facility and the person who received the cremated remains and that indicates the date and time of the release. If the cremated remains were delivered to the authorizing agent or other individual designated on the cremation authorization form by a method described in division (I) of section 4717.26 of the Revised Code that is acceptable under that division, the receipt required by this division shall accompany the cremated remains, and the signature of the authorizing agent or other designated individual on the delivery receipt meets the requirement of this division that the person receiving the cremated remains sign the receipt provided by the crematory facility.

(C) For each cremation carried out at a crematory facility, the crematory facility shall make and keep on file the following records and documents for the time period described in division (E) of this section:

(1) A copy of each receipt issued upon acceptance by or delivery to the crematory facility of a dead human body under division (A) of this section;

(2) A copy of each delivery receipt issued under division (B) of this section;

(3) A record of each cremation conducted at the facility, containing at least the name of the decedent or, in the case of body parts, the name of the decedent or living person from whom the body parts were removed, the date and time of the cremation, and the final disposition made of the cremated remains;

(4) A separate record of the cremated remains of each decedent or the body parts removed from each decedent or living person that were disposed of in accordance with division (C)(1) or (2) of section 4717.27 of the Revised Code, containing at least the name of the decedent, the date and time of the cremation, and the location, date, and manner of final disposition of the cremated remains.

(D) All records required to be maintained under sections 4717.21 to 4717.30 of the Revised Code are subject to inspection by the board of embalmers and funeral directors or an authorized representative of the board, upon reasonable notice, at any reasonable time.

(E) The documents listed in divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section shall be retained for the shorter of the time that the crematory facility remains engaged in the business of cremating dead human bodies or body parts or ten years following the date of the cremation. The documents listed in divisions (C)(3) and (4) of this section shall be retained during the time that the crematory facility remains engaged in the business of cremating dead human bodies or body parts.

Last updated July 15, 2022 at 2:11 PM

Section 4717.29 | Medical device or implant present in decedent's body.

• Effective: August 5, 1998
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 117 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) A person executing a cremation authorization form as the authorizing agent under section 4717.24 of the Revised Code shall use diligent efforts to determine whether a pacemaker, cardiac defibrillator, or any other mechanical or radioactive device or implant is present in the decedent's body that poses a hazard to the health or safety of the personnel of the crematory or to the cremation chamber during the cremation process and shall indicate the presence of the device or implant on the cremation authorization form. If the decedent is to be delivered to the crematory facility by a funeral director, the person executing the authorization form shall inform the funeral director of the presence of the device or implant.

(B) If a funeral director delivers the decedent to a crematory facility, the funeral director shall take reasonable precautions to ensure necessary actions are taken to remove a device or implant from the decedent, or to render the device or implant nonhazardous prior to delivering the decedent to the crematory facility.

Section 4717.30 | Operator of crematory facility or funeral director - immunity.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 224 - 134th General Assembly

(A) A crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home is not liable in damages in a civil action for any of the following actions or omissions, unless the actions or omissions were made with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner or unless any of the conditions set forth in divisions (B)(1) to (3) of this section apply:

(1)(a) For having arranged or performed the cremation of the decedent, or having released or disposed of the cremated remains, in accordance with the instructions set forth in the cremation authorization form executed by the decedent on an antemortem basis under section 4717.21 of the Revised Code;

(b) For having arranged or performed the cremation of the decedent or body parts removed from the decedent or living person or having released or disposed of the cremated remains in accordance with section 4717.27 of the Revised Code or the instructions set forth in a cremation authorization form executed by the person authorized to serve as the authorizing agent for the cremation of the decedent or for the cremation of body parts of the decedent or living person, named in the cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.24 or 4717.25 of the Revised Code.

(2) For having arranged or performed the cremation of the decedent, or having released or disposed of the cremated remains, in accordance with section 4717.27 of the Revised Code or the instructions set forth in the cremation authorization form executed by a designated agent under division (C) of section 4717.24 of the Revised Code.

(B) The crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home is not liable in damages in a civil action for refusing to accept a dead human body or body parts or to perform a cremation under any of the following circumstances, unless the refusal was made with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner:

(1) The crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home has actual knowledge that there is a dispute regarding the cremation of the decedent or body parts, until such time as the crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home receives an order of the probate court having jurisdiction ordering the cremation of the decedent or body parts or until the crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home receives from the parties to the dispute a copy of a written agreement resolving the dispute and authorizing the cremation to be performed.

(2) The crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home has a reasonable basis for questioning the accuracy of any of the information or statements contained in a cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code, as applicable, that authorizes the cremation of the decedent or body parts.

(3) The crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home has any other lawful reason for refusing to accept the dead human body or body parts or to perform the cremation.

(C) A crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home is not liable in damages in a civil action for refusing to release or dispose of the cremated remains of a decedent or body parts when the crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home has actual knowledge that there is a dispute regarding the release or final disposition of the cremated remains in connection with any damages sustained, prior to the time the crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral home, or funeral director receives an order of the probate court having jurisdiction ordering the release or final disposition of the cremated remains, or prior to the time the crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home receives from the parties to the dispute a copy of a written agreement resolving the dispute and authorizing the cremation to be performed.

(D) A crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home is not liable in damages in a civil action in connection with the cremation of, or disposition of the cremated remains of, any dental gold, jewelry, or other items of value delivered to the crematory facility or funeral home with a dead human body or body parts, unless either or both of the following apply:

(1) The cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent or body parts executed under section 4717.21, 4717.24, or 4717.25 of the Revised Code, as applicable, contains specific instructions for the removal or recovery and disposition of any such dental gold, jewelry, or other items of value prior to the cremation, and the crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home has failed to comply with the written instructions.

(2) The actions or omissions of the crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home were made with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner.

(E)(1) This section does not create a new cause of action against or substantive legal right against a crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home.

(2) This section does not affect any immunities from civil liability or defenses established by another section of the Revised Code or available at common law to which a crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home may be entitled under circumstances not covered by this section.

Last updated July 15, 2022 at 2:12 PM

Section 4717.31 | Who may sell certain preneed funeral contracts.

• Effective: October 16, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly

(A) Only a funeral director licensed pursuant to this chapter may sell a preneed funeral contract that includes funeral services. Sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code do not prohibit a person who is not a licensed funeral director from selling funeral goods pursuant to a preneed funeral contract; however, when a seller sells funeral goods pursuant to a preneed funeral contract, that seller shall comply with those sections unless the seller is specifically exempt from compliance under section 4717.38 of the Revised Code.

(B) An insurance agent licensed pursuant to Chapter 3905. of the Revised Code may sell, solicit, or negotiate the sale of an insurance policy or annuity that will be used to fund a preneed funeral contract, but in so doing the insurance agent may not offer advice or make recommendations about funeral services and may not discuss the advantages or disadvantages of any funeral service. In selling, soliciting, or negotiating the sale of an insurance policy or annuity that will be used to fund a preneed funeral contract, the insurance agent may do any of the following:

(1) Provide the person purchasing the insurance policy or annuity with price lists from one or more funeral homes and other materials that may assist the person in determining the cost of funeral goods and services;

(2) Discuss the cost of funeral goods and services with the person in order to assist the person in selecting the appropriate amount of life insurance or annuity coverage;

(3) Complete a worksheet or other record to calculate the estimated cost of a funeral.

(C) Activities conducted pursuant to division (B) of this section by an insurance agent licensed pursuant to Chapter 3905. of the Revised Code do not constitute funeral directing, funeral arranging, the business of directing and supervising funerals for profit, or the sale of a preneed funeral contract.

(D) No seller shall fail to comply with the requirements and duties specified in this section and sections 4717.32 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code.

(E) No trustee of a preneed funeral contract trust shall fail to comply with sections 4717.33, 4717.34, 4717.36, and 4717.37 of the Revised Code.

(F) No insurance agent or insurance company that sells or offers life insurance policies or annuities used to fund a preneed funeral contract shall fail to comply with this section and sections 4717.33, 4717.34, 4717.35, and 4717.37 of the Revised Code. To the extent this section and sections 4717.33, 4717.34, 4717.35, and 4717.37 of the Revised Code apply to insurance companies or insurance agents, those sections constitute laws of this state relating to insurance for purposes of sections 3901.03 and 3901.04 of the Revised Code and the superintendent of insurance shall enforce those sections with respect to insurance companies and insurance agents. The superintendent may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for purposes of administering and enforcing this section and sections 4717.33, 4717.34, 4717.35, and 4717.37 of the Revised Code as those sections apply to insurance companies or insurance agents.

(G) A preneed funeral contract may be funded by the purchase or assignment of an insurance policy or annuity in accordance with section 3905.45 of the Revised Code. A preneed funeral contract that is funded by the purchase or assignment of an insurance policy or annuity in accordance with section 3905.45 of the Revised Code is not subject to section 4717.36 of the Revised Code.

(H) The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall administer and enforce the provisions of sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code concerning the requirements for and sale of preneed funeral contracts. The superintendent of insurance shall enforce sections 4717.31, 4717.33, 4717.34, 4717.35, and 4717.37 of the Revised Code to the extent those sections apply to insurance companies and insurance agents. Payments from a trust, insurance policy, or annuity, including any fraudulent activities in which a person engages to obtain payments from a trust, insurance policy, or annuity, shall be regulated in accordance with Chapter 1111. or Title XXXIX of the Revised Code, as applicable.

(I) Except as provided in division (K) of this section, a seller of a preneed funeral contract that is funded by insurance or otherwise annually shall submit to the board the reports the board requires pursuant to division (J) of this section.

(J) Except as provided in division (K) of this section, the board shall adopt rules specifying the procedures and requirements for annual reporting of the sales of all preneed funeral contracts sold by every seller who is subject to sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code.

(K) A cemetery company or cemetery association that sells merchandise or services pursuant to a preneed cemetery merchandise and services contract and that also sells funeral goods pursuant to a preneed funeral contract shall be deemed to have met the requirements in divisions (I) and (J) of this section by submitting the annual preneed funeral contract report to the division of real estate of the department of commerce along with or as part of the annual cemetery merchandise and services contract affidavit required under division (F)(1) of section 1721.211 of the Revised Code.

Section 4717.311 | Confirming the beneficiary is still alive.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 224 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The holder of funds for a preneed funeral contract shall, in the calendar year in which the beneficiary of that contract reaches one hundred five years of age, contact the seller or successor seller to inform the seller or successor seller of the beneficiary's one hundred fifth birthday in that calendar year.

(B) The holder and the seller or successor seller shall agree to one of the following:

(1) That the holder shall make a reasonable attempt to confirm that the beneficiary is still alive. If the holder cannot confirm that the beneficiary is still alive during that calendar year, then, within one hundred eighty days of the end of that calendar year, the holder shall report and remit the funds to the director of commerce pursuant to Chapter 169. of the Revised Code.

(2) That the seller or successor seller shall make a reasonable attempt to confirm that the beneficiary is still alive. If the seller or successor seller cannot confirm that the beneficiary is still alive during that calendar year, then, within thirty days of the end of the calendar year, the seller or successor seller shall notify the holder. Within one hundred eighty days of receiving the notification, the holder shall report and remit the funds to the director of commerce pursuant to Chapter 169. of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 20, 2022 at 5:17 PM

Section 4717.32 | Contents of certain preneed funeral contracts.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Any preneed funeral contract that involves the payment of money or the purchase or assignment of an insurance policy or annuity shall be in writing and shall include all of the following information:

(1) The name, address, and phone number of the seller and the name and address of the purchaser of the contract, and, if the contract beneficiary is someone other than the purchaser of the contract, the name and address of the contract beneficiary, and if the contract involves the payment of money but not the purchase or assignment of an insurance policy or annuity, the social security number of the purchaser of the contract or if the contract beneficiary is someone other than the purchaser, the social security number of the contract beneficiary;

(2) A statement of the funeral goods and funeral services purchased, which disclosure may be made by attaching a copy of the completed statement of funeral goods and services selected to the preneed funeral contract;

(3) A disclosure informing the purchaser whether the contract is either a guaranteed preneed funeral contract or a nonguaranteed preneed funeral contract, and, if the contract is guaranteed only in part, a disclosure specifying the funeral goods or funeral services included in the guarantee;

(4) If the preneed funeral contract is a guaranteed contract, a disclosure that the seller, in exchange for all of the proceeds of the trust, insurance policy, or annuity, shall provide the funeral goods and funeral services set forth in the preneed funeral contract without regard to the actual cost of such funeral goods and funeral services prevailing at the time of performance and that the seller may receive any excess funds remaining after all expenses for the funeral have been paid.

(5) If the preneed funeral contract is a nonguaranteed contract, a disclosure that the proceeds of the trust, insurance policy, or annuity shall be applied to the retail prices in effect at the time of the funeral for the funeral goods and funeral services set forth in the contract, that any excess funds remaining after all expenses for the funeral have been paid shall be paid to the estate of the decedent or the beneficiary named in the life insurance policy if the preneed funeral contract is funded by a life insurance policy, and that, in the event of an insufficiency in funds, the seller shall not be required to perform until payment arrangements satisfactory to the seller have been made.

(6) A disclosure that the purchaser has the right to make the contract irrevocable and that if the preneed funeral contract is irrevocable, the purchaser does not have a right to revoke the contract;

(7) A disclosure informing the purchaser of the initial right to cancel the preneed funeral contract within seven days as provided in division (A) of section 4717.34 of the Revised Code and the right to revoke a revocable preneed funeral contract in accordance with section 4717.35 or division (G) of section 4717.36 of the Revised Code, as applicable;

(8) A disclosure that the seller may substitute funeral goods or funeral services of equal quality, value, and workmanship if those specified in the preneed funeral contract are unavailable at the time of need;

(9) A disclosure that any purchaser of funeral goods and funeral services is entitled to receive price information prior to making that purchase in accordance with the federal trade commission's funeral industry practices revised rule, 16 C.F.R. part 453;

(10) The following notice in boldface print and in substantially the following form:

"NOTICE: Under Ohio law, the person holding the right of disposition of the remains of the individual contract beneficiary pursuant to section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code will have the right to make funeral arrangements inconsistent with the arrangements set forth in this contract. However, the individual contract beneficiary is encouraged to state his or her preferences as to funeral arrangements in a declaration of the right of disposition pursuant to section 2108.72 of the Revised Code, including that the arrangements set forth in this contract shall be followed."

(11) The notice described in division (A) of section 4717.34 of the Revised Code;

(12) A disclosure that any purchaser of funeral goods or funeral services funded in whole or in part in advance of death under a preneed funeral contract sold by a licensee under this chapter may be eligible for reimbursement of financial loses suffered as a result of malfeasance, misfeasance, default, failure, or insolvency of the licensee.

(B) If a preneed funeral contract is funded by any means other than an insurance policy or policies, or an annuity or annuities, the preneed funeral contract shall include all of the following information in addition to the information required to be included under division (A) of this section:

(1) Disclosures that identify the name and address of the trustee of the preneed funeral contract trust established pursuant to section 4717.36 of the Revised Code, that direct that any payments made by the purchaser of the preneed funeral contract shall be made directly to the trustee identified in the preneed funeral contract, that indicate whether fees, expenses, and taxes will be deducted from the trust, and that identify whether the trust or the purchaser will be responsible for the taxes owed on the trust earnings;

(2) A disclosure explaining the form in which the purchase price must be paid and, if the price is to be paid in installments, a disclosure to the purchaser regarding what constitutes a default under the preneed funeral contract and the consequences of the default;

(3) The following notice in boldface print and in substantially the following form:

"NOTICE: You, as the purchaser of this contract, will be notified in writing when the trustee of this contract has received a deposit of the funds you paid the seller under this contract. If you do not receive that notice within sixty days after the date you paid the funds to the seller, you should contact the trustee identified in the contract."

(4) A disclosure that if a preneed funeral contract stipulates a fixed or firm or guaranteed price for the funeral goods and services provided under the preneed funeral contract whether the seller will charge any initial service fee as permitted by division (B) of section 4717.36 and a cancellation or transfer fee as permitted by division (G)(2), (H), or (J) of section 4717.36 of the Revised Code.

(C) If a preneed funeral contract is funded by the purchase or assignment of one or more insurance policies or annuities, the preneed funeral contract shall include all of the following information in addition to the information required to be included under division (A) of this section:

(1) The name and address of each applicable insurance company and any right the purchaser has regarding canceling or transferring the applicable insurance policies or annuities;

(2) A directive that any payment made by the purchaser of the preneed funeral contract shall be made directly to the insurance company and, if premiums are being paid in installments, a description of the terms of payment for any remaining payments due;

(3) A list of actions that constitute default under a preneed funeral contract and the consequences of a default;

(4) The following notice in boldface print and in substantially the following form:

"NOTICE: You, as the purchaser of this contract, will be notified in writing by the insurance company identified in this contract when the insurance policy or policies, or annuity or annuities, that will fund this contract have been issued. If you do not receive the notice within sixty days after the date you paid the funds to the seller, you should contact the insurance company identified in the contract."

(D) The seller of a preneed funeral contract that is funded by the purchase or assignment of one or more insurance policies or annuities does not need to include in the contract the information described in divisions (C)(2) and (3) of this section if those disclosures are provided in the application for a life insurance policy or annuity or in the life insurance policy or annuity.

Section 4717.33 | Notice by trustee or insurer to purchaser of contract.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) If a preneed funeral contract is funded by any means other than an insurance policy or policies, or an annuity or annuities, the trustee of the trust created pursuant to section 4717.36 of the Revised Code shall notify the purchaser of the preneed funeral contract in writing, within fifteen days after the trustee receives any payment to be deposited into the trust, that the trustee has received payment. The notice shall include all of the following information:

(1) The amount the trustee received;

(2) The name and address of the institution described in division (D) of section 4717.36 of the Revised Code where the trust is being held;

(3) The name of the beneficiary of that trust.

(B) If a preneed funeral contract is funded by the purchase or assignment of one or more insurance policies or annuities, the insurance company shall notify the purchaser of the preneed funeral contract in writing within sixty days after the insurance company receives an initial premium payment applicable to that preneed funeral contract. The notice shall include all of the following information that is pertinent to that preneed funeral contract:

(1) The amount the insurance company received;

(2) The name and address of the insurance company;

(3) The name of the insured;

(4) The amount of the death benefit;

(5) The policy or contract number of the insurance policy, annuity, or contract.

(C) For purposes of division (B) of this section, delivery of an insurance policy, certificate, annuity, or contract to the purchaser shall satisfy the notice requirement specified in that division.

Section 4717.34 | Right of purchaser to rescind contract.

• Effective: July 6, 2009
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 196 - 127th General Assembly

(A) Any purchaser, on initially entering into a preneed funeral contract may, within seven days after entering into that contract, rescind the contract and request and receive from the seller of the contract one hundred per cent of all payments made under the contract. Each preneed funeral contract shall contain the following notice in boldface print and in substantially the following form:

"NOTICE: Under Ohio law, you, as the purchaser of this contract, may rescind it and receive a refund of all payments you made under the contract. To rescind the contract, you must notify the seller within seven days of signing the contract."

(B) No preneed funeral contract shall contain a provision that restricts the purchaser from making the contract irrevocable. On the purchase by an individual of an irrevocable preneed funeral contract, the funeral director who sold the contract assumes the legal obligation to provide for the funeral of the individual pursuant to the terms of the contract. No money deposited in a trust fund for an irrevocable preneed funeral contract shall be withdrawn to purchase an insurance policy or annuity, except that a trustee may use money in the trust fund to purchase a life insurance policy or annuity as an investment for the trust fund.

Section 4717.35 | Remission of contract application and premium to insurer.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 224 - 134th General Assembly

If a preneed funeral contract contains a provision stating that the preneed funeral contract will be funded by the purchase of an insurance policy, the insurance agent who sold the policy that will fund that preneed funeral contract shall require that any payment made by the purchaser be made in the form of a check, cashier's check, money order, or debit or credit card, payable only to the insurance company. The insurance agent shall remit the application for insurance and the premium paid to the insurance company designated in the preneed funeral contract within the time period specified in division (B)(15) of section 3905.14 of the Revised Code, unless the purchaser rescinds the preneed funeral contract in accordance with division (A) of section 4717.34 of the Revised Code. If the purchaser made payment in the form of a check made payable to the seller, the seller may, within five business days of receiving the check, sign over and forward the check to the insurance company designated in the preneed funeral contract.

If the purchaser of a preneed funeral contract that is revocable and that is funded by an insurance policy or annuity elects to cancel the preneed funeral contract, the purchaser shall provide a written notice to the seller and the insurance company designated in the contract stating that the purchaser intends to cancel that contract. Fifteen days after the purchaser provides the notice to the seller of the contract and the insurance company, the purchaser may cancel the preneed funeral contract and change the beneficiary of the insurance policy or annuity or reassign the benefits under the policy or annuity.

The purchaser of a preneed funeral contract that is irrevocable and that is funded by an insurance policy or annuity may transfer the preneed funeral contract to a successor seller by notifying the original seller of the designation of a successor seller. Within fifteen days after receiving the written notice of the designation of the successor seller from the purchaser, the original seller shall assign the seller's rights to the proceeds of the policy to the successor seller. The insurance company shall confirm the change of assignment by providing written notice to the policyholder.

If, after a preneed funeral contract has been performed and paid for by the proceeds of an insurance policy or annuity, there are excess funds that the purchaser previously assigned by a written contract to the seller to pay for preneed funeral services or funeral goods for other individuals, the insurance company or annuity company holding such excess funds shall pay those funds directly to the seller, and the seller shall deposit the funds into a trust or purchase insurance or annuity policies to fund additional preneed funeral contracts.

Last updated July 15, 2022 at 2:13 PM

Section 4717.36 | Funeral goods and services payments held in trust.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 224 - 134th General Assembly

(A) This section applies only to preneed funeral contracts that are funded by any means other than an insurance policy or policies, or an annuity or annuities.

No money in a preneed funeral contract trust shall be distributed from the trust except as provided in this section.

(B) A seller of a preneed funeral contract that stipulates a fixed or firm or guaranteed price for funeral services and funeral goods to be provided under a preneed funeral contract may charge an initial service fee not to exceed ten per cent of the total amount of all payments to be paid under the preneed funeral contract for such guaranteed price funeral services and funeral goods. If the amount to be paid by the purchaser is to be paid in installments, the seller may collect the initial service fee only after all of the installments have been paid.

(C)(1) Except for the following, all payments made by the purchaser of a preneed funeral contract shall be made in the form of a check, cashier's check, money order, or debit or credit card, payable only to the trustee of the preneed funeral contract trust or to the trustee's designated depository:

(a) The initial service fee permitted by division (B) of this section;

(b) The fee collected under division (A)(14) of section 4717.07 of the Revised Code;

(c) Any applicable sales tax.

(2) If the purchaser makes payment in the form of a check made payable to the seller, the seller may, within five business days of receiving the check, sign over and forward the check to the trustee or the trustee's designated depository.

(3) Within thirty days of the seller receiving any form of payment made payable to the trustee or the trustee's designee, the seller shall remit the payment to the trustee or the trustee's designee unless the purchaser rescinds the preneed funeral contract in accordance with division (A) of section 4717.34 of the Revised Code. The funds deposited with the trustee shall remain intact and held in trust for the contract beneficiary.

(D) The seller shall establish a preneed funeral contract trust at one of the following types of institutions and shall designate that institution as the trustee of the preneed funeral contract trust:

(1) A trust company licensed under Chapter 1111. of the Revised Code;

(2) A national bank, federal savings bank, or federal savings association that pledges securities in accordance with section 1111.04 of the Revised Code;

(3) A credit union authorized to conduct business in this state pursuant to Chapter 1733. of the Revised Code.

(E) Moneys deposited in a preneed funeral contract trust fund shall be held and invested in the manner in which trust funds are permitted to be held and invested pursuant to Chapter 1111. of the Revised Code.

(F) The seller shall establish a separate preneed funeral contract trust for the moneys paid under each preneed funeral contract, unless the purchaser or purchasers of a preneed funeral contract or contracts authorize the seller to place the moneys paid for that contract or those contracts in a combined preneed funeral contract trust. The trustee of a combined preneed funeral contract trust shall keep exact records of the corpus, income, expenses, and disbursements with regard to each purchaser and contract beneficiary for whom moneys are held in the trust. The terms of a preneed funeral contract trust are governed by this section and the payments from that trust are governed by Chapter 1111. of the Revised Code, except as otherwise provided in this section.

A trustee of a preneed funeral contract trust may pay taxes and expenses for a preneed funeral contract trust and may charge a fee for managing a preneed funeral contract trust. The fee shall not exceed the amount regularly or usually charged for similar services rendered by the institutions described in division (D) of this section when serving as a trustee.

(G) If the purchaser of a preneed funeral contract that is revocable elects to cancel the contract, the purchaser shall provide a written notice to the seller of the contract and the trustee of the preneed funeral contract trust stating that the purchaser intends to cancel the contract. Fifteen days after the purchaser provides that notice to the seller and trustee, the purchaser may cancel the contract. Upon canceling a preneed funeral contract pursuant to this division, one of the following shall occur, as applicable:

(1) If the preneed funeral contract does not stipulate a firm or fixed or guaranteed price for funeral goods and funeral services to be provided under the preneed funeral contract, the trustee shall give to the purchaser all of the assets of the trust that exist at the time of cancellation, less any fees charged, distributions paid, and expenses incurred by the trustee pursuant to division (F) of this section.

(2) If the preneed funeral contract does stipulate a firm or fixed or guaranteed price for funeral goods and funeral services to be provided under the contract, the purchaser may request and receive from the trustee all of the assets of the trust at the time of cancellation, less a cancellation fee that the original seller may collect from the trustee that is equal to or less than ten per cent of the value of the assets of the trust on the date the trust is cancelled, provided, however, that to the extent the original seller took an initial service fee as permitted by division (B) of this section, the aggregate amount of the cancellation fee and the initial service fee may not exceed ten per cent of the value of those assets. In addition to any cancellation fee, there may also be deducted any fees charged, distributions paid, and expenses incurred by the trustee pursuant to division (F) of this section.

If more than one purchaser enters into the contract, all of those purchasers must request cancellation of the contract for it to be effective under this division, and the trustee shall refund to each purchaser only those funds that purchaser has paid under the contract and any income earned on those funds in an amount that is in direct proportion to the amount of funds that purchaser paid relative to the total amount of payments deposited in that trust, less any fees charged, distributions paid, and expenses incurred by the trustee pursuant to division (F) of this section, the amount of which are in direct proportion to the amount of funds that purchaser paid relative to the total amount of payments deposited in that trust.

(H) The purchaser of a preneed funeral contract that is irrevocable may transfer the preneed funeral contract to a successor seller. A purchaser who elects to make such a transfer shall provide a written notice of the designation of a successor seller to the trustee and the original seller. Within fifteen days after receiving the written notice of the new designation from the purchaser, the trustee shall list the successor seller as the seller of the preneed funeral contract and the original seller shall relinquish and transfer all rights under the preneed funeral contract to the successor seller. The trustee shall confirm the transfer by providing written notice of the transfer to the original seller, the successor seller, and the purchaser. If the preneed funeral contract stipulates a firm or fixed or guaranteed price for the funeral goods and funeral services to be provided under the preneed funeral contract, the original seller may collect from the trustee a transfer fee from the trust that equals up to ten per cent of the value of the assets of the trust on the date the trust is transferred, provided, however, that to the extent the original seller took an initial service fee as permitted by division (B) of this section, the aggregate amount of the transfer fee and the initial service fee may not exceed ten per cent of the value of those assets. If the preneed funeral contract does not stipulate a firm or fixed or guaranteed price for funeral goods and funeral services to be provided under the preneed funeral contract, no transfer fee shall be collected by the original seller.

(I) If a seller of a preneed funeral contract elects to transfer a preneed funeral contract trust from an institution listed in divisions (D)(1) to (3) of this section to a different institution, the trustee of the original trust shall notify the purchaser of the preneed funeral contract of that transfer in writing within thirty days after the transfer occurred and shall provide the purchaser with the name of and the contact information for the institution where the new trust is maintained. Upon receipt of the trust, the trustee of the transferred trust shall notify the purchaser of the receipt of the trusts in accordance with division (A) of section 4717.33 of the Revised Code.

(J)(1) If a seller receives a notice that the contract beneficiary has died and that funeral goods and funeral services have been provided by a provider other than the seller, the seller shall direct the trustee, within thirty days after receiving that notice, to pay to the provider that provided the funeral goods and services, if still unpaid, all funds held by the trustee, less any fees charged, distributions paid, and expenses incurred by the trustee pursuant to division (F) of this section.

(2) If the provider has already been paid for providing the funeral goods and funeral services to the contract beneficiary, the seller shall direct the trustee to pay to the estate of the contract beneficiary or, if no estate has been opened, to any person with the right of disposition under section 2108.81 of the Revised Code all funds held by the trustee, less any fees charged, distributions paid, and expenses incurred by the trustee pursuant to division (F) of this section. The trustee shall make a reasonable attempt to pay the estate or person with the right of disposition within one hundred eighty days of receipt of notice that the contract beneficiary has died. If the trustee is unable to make payment within one hundred eighty days, the trustee shall report and remit the funds to the director of commerce pursuant to Chapter 169. of the Revised Code.

(3) In the event the preneed funeral contract stipulates a firm or fixed or guaranteed price for funeral goods and funeral services that were to be provided under the preneed funeral contract, the seller may collect from the trustee a cancellation fee not exceeding ten per cent of the value of the assets of the trust on the date the trust is transferred, provided, however, that to the extent the original seller took an initial service fee as permitted by division (B) of this section, the aggregate amount of the transfer fee and the initial service fee shall not exceed ten per cent of the value of those assets. If the preneed funeral trust does not stipulate a firm or fixed or guaranteed price for funeral goods and funeral services to be provided under the preneed funeral contract, no cancellation fees shall be collected by the original seller.

(K) A certified copy of the certificate of death or other evidence of death satisfactory to the trustee shall be furnished to the trustee as evidence of death, and the trustee shall promptly pay the accumulated payments and income, if any, according to the preneed funeral contract. Such payment of the accumulated payments and income pursuant to this section and, when applicable, the preneed funeral contract, relieves the trustee of any further liability on the accumulated payments and income.

If, after a preneed funeral contract has been performed and paid for by the proceeds of a preneed trust fund, there are excess funds that the purchaser previously assigned by a written contract to the seller to pay for preneed funeral services or funeral goods for other individuals, the trustee holding such excess funds shall pay those funds directly to the seller, and the seller shall deposit the funds into a trust or purchase insurance or annuity policies to fund additional preneed funeral contracts.

Last updated October 10, 2023 at 4:02 PM

Section 4717.37 | Delivery of funeral goods defined.

• Effective: July 6, 2009
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 196 - 127th General Assembly

For purposes of sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code, a seller is considered to have delivered funeral goods pursuant to a preneed funeral contract when the seller makes actual delivery of the goods to the contract beneficiary.

Section 4717.38 | Construction of R.C. 4717.31 to 4717.38.

• Effective: July 6, 2009
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 196 - 127th General Assembly

Sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code shall be construed as a limitation on the manner in which a person is permitted to accept funds in prepayment for funeral services to be performed in the future, or funeral goods to be used in connection with the funeral or final disposition of human remains, to the end that at all times members of the public may have an opportunity to arrange and pay for a funeral for themselves and their families in advance of need while at the same time providing all possible safeguards to ensure that prepaid funds cannot be dissipated, whether intentionally or not, but remain available for payment for funeral goods and funeral services in connection with the funeral or final disposition of dead human bodies.

Sections 4717.31 to 4717.38 of the Revised Code do not apply to a seller if that seller is an established and legally cognizable church or denomination that is exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 501, as amended, and the preneed funeral contract pertains to a cemetery owned and operated entirely and exclusively by the church or denomination, on the condition that the church or denomination adopts, on a voluntary basis, rules and other measures to safeguard and secure all funds received under any preneed funeral contract.

Any money, insurance policies, annuities, or other items delivered in payment of a preneed funeral contract, and any funds held in trust pursuant to section 4717.36 of the Revised Code, are exempt from levy, attachment, or sale to satisfy a judgment or order.

Last updated October 20, 2022 at 5:20 PM

Section 4717.39 | Compliance with law regarding sanctions for human trafficking.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 247 - 129th General Assembly

The board of embalmers and funeral directors shall comply with section 4776.20 of the Revised Code.

Section 4717.41 | Preneed recovery fund.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) There is hereby created the preneed recovery fund, which shall be in the custody of the treasurer of state but shall not be part of the state treasury. All fees collected under division (A)(14) of section 4717.07 of the Revised Code shall be deposited into the fund. The fund shall be used to reimburse purchasers of preneed funeral contracts who have suffered financial loss as a result of the malfeasance, misfeasance, default, failure, or insolvency in connection with the sale of a preneed funeral contract by any licensee under this chapter, regardless of whether the sale of such contract occurred before or after the establishment of the fund. The fund, and all investment earnings thereon, shall only be used for the purposes set forth in this section and shall not be used for any other purposes. The fund shall be administered by the board of embalmers and funeral directors.

(B) All fees collected under division (A)(14) of section 4717.07 of the Revised Code shall be deposited into the fund. Deposits to and disbursements from the fund account shall be subject to rules established by the board.

(C) If at the end of any fiscal year for this state, the balance in the fund exceeds two million dollars, the fee required by division (A)(14) of section 4717.07 of the Revised Code for the upcoming fiscal year shall be reduced by fifty per cent. If the balance in the fund at the end of a fiscal year exceeds three million dollars, the payment of the fee required by division (A)(14) of section 4717.07 of the Revised Code shall be suspended for the upcoming fiscal year.

(D) The board shall adopt rules governing management of the fund, the presentation and processing of applications for reimbursement, subrogation, or assignment of the rights of any reimbursed applicant.

(E) The board may expend moneys in the fund for the following purposes:

(1) To make reimbursements on approved applications;

(2) To purchase insurance to cover losses as considered appropriate by the board and not inconsistent with the purposes of the fund;

(3) To invest such portions of the fund as are not currently needed to reimburse losses and maintain adequate reserves, as are permitted to be made by fiduciaries under the laws of this state;

(4) To pay the expenses of the board for administering the fund, including employment of local counsel to prosecute subrogation claims.

(F) Reimbursements from the fund shall be made only to the extent to which those losses are not bonded or otherwise covered, protected, or reimbursed and only after the applicant has complied with all applicable rules of the board.

(G) The board shall investigate all applications made and may reject or allow such claims in whole or in part to the extent that moneys are available in the fund. The board shall have complete discretion to determine the order and manner of payment of approved applications. All payments shall be a matter of privilege and not of right, and no person shall have any right in the fund as a third-party beneficiary or otherwise. No attorney may be compensated by the board for prosecuting an application for reimbursement.

(H) If reimbursement is made to an applicant under this section, the board shall be subrogated in the reimbursement amount and may bring any action it considers advisable against any person. The board may enforce any claims it may have for restitution or otherwise and may employ and compensate consultants, agents, legal counsel, accountants, and other persons it considers appropriate.

Last updated October 10, 2023 at 4:03 PM

Section 4717.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: July 6, 2009
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 196 - 127th General Assembly

Whoever violates any provision of sections 4717.01 to 4717.15; division (A) or (B) of section 4717.23; division (B)(1) or (2), (C)(1) or (2), (D), (E), or (F)(1) or (2), or divisions (H) to (K) of section 4717.26; division (D)(1) of section 4717.27; or divisions (A) to (C) of section 4717.28 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than one hundred nor more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, for the first offense. For each subsequent offense such a person shall be fined not less than one hundred nor more than ten thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

Whoever purposely violates division (D) or (E) of section 4717.31 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. If the purpose of a violation of that division is to commit or facilitate the commission of a felony, whoever violates that division is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree.