Section 4717.30 | Operator of crematory facility or funeral director - immunity.
(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
Available Versions of this Section
- March 22, 2013 – House Bill 481 - 129th General Assembly [ View March 22, 2013 Version ]
- September 29, 2017 – Amended by House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly [ View September 29, 2017 Version ]
- September 13, 2022 – Amended by Senate Bill 224 - 134th General Assembly [ View September 13, 2022 Version ]