Section 216-RICR-10-10-1.17 - Responsibility of Funeral DirectorA. The funeral director, his/her duly authorized agent or person acting as such, who first assumes custody of a dead body shall file the certificate of death after that person has completed the certificate:1. By entering the personal data obtained from the next of kin or best qualified person or source available;2. By obtaining medical certification of cause of death from the person responsible therefor (the physician who attended the deceased person during his/her last illness; or the physician declaring such person dead; or, if the death occurred in a hospital, a registered hospital medical officer duly appointed by the hospital director or administrator; or the medical examiner, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-3-16(d); and3. By obtaining medical certification on the burial-transit permit in accordance with § 1.25 of this Part.B. A funeral director or other person who removes a dead body or fetus from the place of death or transports or finally disposes of a dead body or fetus shall keep a record containing information which shall identify the body, the date and place of death, and the name of the individual who released the dead body or fetus, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-3-26(c).C. When a dead body or fetus is to be disinterred, the funeral director, his/her duly authorized agent or person acting as such, shall obtain a disinterment permit from the local registrar at the place of disinterment, in accordance with § 1.26 of this Part.D. Each funeral director shall, on or before the tenth (10th) day of each month, file a report with the State Registrar listing funerals performed and/or decedents serviced following deaths or fetal deaths during the previous month. Such reports shall be made on forms approved by the State Registrar. Failure to file these reports within the prescribed time shall be grounds for disciplinary action, including revocation of license by the state board of examiners in embalming and funeral directors.216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-10-10-1.17
Amended effective 3/31/2021