Section 246-500-040. Transportation of human remains.

(1) Persons who transport human remains must:

(a) Use effective hygienic measures consistent with handling potentially infectious material; and

(b) Obtain a burial-transit permit from the local health officer or local registrar of vital statistics or file a notice of removal according to requirements of RCW 70.58.230 prior to transporting human remains from one registration district to another.

(2) Prior to transporting human remains by common carrier, the persons responsible for preparing and handling the remains must:

(a) Enclose the human remains in a leak-resistant container placed inside another leak-resistant, securely constructed shipping container to prevent the release of all body fluids;

(b) Obtain and enclose the burial-transit permit in a sturdy envelope; and

(c) Attach the burial-transit permit to the shipping container.

(3) Persons responsible for human remains routed to the point of final destination on a burial-transit permit:

(a) May temporarily hold the remains at a stopover point within the state of Washington for funeral or other purposes without an additional permit; and

(b) Must surrender the burial-transit permit to the sexton or crematory official at the point of interment or cremation.

(4) Sextons and cremation officials shall accept the burial-transit permit as authority for interment in a cemetery or for cremation within the state of Washington.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050 and 18.39.215. WSR 06-17-182, § 246-500-040, filed 8/23/06, effective 9/23/06.]

RCW 43.20.050 and 18.39.215. WSR 06-17-182, § 246-500-040, filed 8/23/06, effective 9/23/06.