W. Va. Code R. § 6-2-6

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 6-2-6 - Control of Dead Bodies
6.1. Gaining permission to assume control.

A registrant or licensee, or his or her agents, assistants or employees shall not assume control of any dead body without first gaining permission from the authorized representative, or a medical examiner, health officer or other public official legally authorized to give the permission to release the body.

6.2. Honoring instructions from authorized persons.
6.2.1. A licensee or licensee's agents, assistants or employees who have assumed control of a dead body shall honor all instructions, from authorized persons, as to matters relating to cremation and the handling of the body. Only funeral service licensees or licensed funeral directors shall perform or arrange all steps in preparation; autopsy; viewing; photographing; clothing; casket; box or vault; cremation; time, location and type of ceremonies; and burial or other customary disposal, insofar as considerations of public health, legal requirements and customary respectful handling of the dead may permit.
6.3. If the crematory is unable to contact the next of kin or other authorized representative of the decedent, the facility shall follow procedures outlined in subsection 19.1. of this rule relating to storage and disposal of unclaimed human remains.
6.4. Unauthorized embalmings.

A person or persons authorized to give permission to embalm a body shall not be responsible for the payment of any fee in connection with an unauthorized embalming.

6.5. Obtaining signatures.

A crematory, crematory operator and his or her agents shall get signatures of the appropriate persons on all documents required by §§ 30-6-1 et. seq., this rule, or any other article or rule pertaining to the disposition of a dead human body.

W. Va. Code R. § 6-2-6