Subdivision 1. Generally. Every dead human body lying within the state, except unclaimed bodies delivered for dissection by the medical examiner, those delivered for anatomical study pursuant to section 149A.81, subdivision 2, or lawfully carried through the state for the purpose of disposition elsewhere; and the remains of any dead human body after dissection or anatomical study, shall be decently buried or entombed in a public or private cemetery, alkaline hydrolyzed, or cremated within a reasonable time after death. Where final disposition of a body will not be accomplished within 72 hours following death or release of the body by a competent authority with jurisdiction over the body, the body must be properly embalmed, refrigerated, or packed with dry ice. A body may not be kept in refrigeration for a period exceeding six calendar days, or packed in dry ice for a period that exceeds four calendar days, from the time of death or release of the body from the coroner or medical examiner.

Subd. 2. [Repealed, 2007 c 114 s 75]

Subd. 3. Permit required. No dead human body shall be buried, entombed, or cremated without a disposition permit. The disposition permit must be filed with the person in charge of the place of final disposition. Where a dead human body will be transported out of this state for final disposition, the body must be accompanied by a certificate of removal.

Subd. 4. Alkaline hydrolysis or cremation. Inurnment of alkaline hydrolyzed or cremated remains and release to an appropriate party is considered final disposition and no further permits or authorizations are required for transportation, interment, entombment, or placement of the cremated remains, except as provided in section 149A.95, subdivision 16.

History: 1997 c 215 s 40; 2005 c 106 s 63; 2007 c 114 s 62,63; 2007 c 120 art 2 s 2,5; 2010 c 262 s 12; 2013 c 108 art 12 s 94