Section 4717.23 | Prohibited acts by operator of facility prior to cremation.
(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.
Available Versions of this Section
- August 5, 1998 – Senate Bill 117 - 122nd General Assembly [ View August 5, 1998 Version ]
- September 29, 2017 – Amended by House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly [ View September 29, 2017 Version ]