- B. The funeral director, or person acting as such, who first assumes custody of a dead body or fetus shall obtain a BRTP prior to final disposition or removal of the body or fetus from the State. BRTPs may be emailed, hand delivered, or faxed to a funeral home or company that first takes possession of the body. If a funeral home or transportation company is not participating in the electronic system to receive the BRTP via email, the permit must be printed and delivered to them via one of the aforementioned methods.
- C. A BRTP issued under the law of another state which accompanies a dead body or fetus into this state shall be authority for final disposition of the body or fetus in this state.

## 902. Removal of Body.

Before taking charge of a dead human body or fetus, the funeral director or person acting as such shall:

- A. Contact the medical certifier and receive assurance from him or her that death is from natural causes and that the medical certifier will assume responsibility for certifying to the cause of death; or
- B. Contact the coroner if the case comes within his or her jurisdiction and receive authorization from him or her to remove the body.

## 903. Authorization for Disinterment and Reinterment.

- A. Except as otherwise provided by statute, a permit for disinterment and reinterment of human remains shall be required prior to disinterment of a dead body or fetus. If the dead body or fetus is being reinterred in the same plot where it was originally interred, a permit shall not be required.
- B. A disinterment permit shall be issued only upon receipt of the form prescribed by the State Registrar signed by the next of kin and the person who is to perform the disinterment or upon receipt of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction directing such disinterment. The permit shall be permission for disinterment, transportation, and reinterment. The disinterment must be performed within one (1) year of the date permission was granted by the State Registrar or designee, otherwise the applicant must apply for a new permit. The Department may destroy any copies of permits issued but not returned within one (1) year of the date permission was granted.
- C. Human remains deposited in a receiving vault shall not be considered a disinterment when removed from the vault for final disposition.
- D. The funeral director to whom the permit is issued shall retain a copy. A copy shall be used during transportation and filed with the sexton or person in charge of the cemetery of reinterment. The funeral director shall return a copy to the Bureau of Vital Statistics showing the date of reinterment.
- E. The permit requirement of this section shall not apply to disinterment or reinterment of a dead body or fetus when death occurred before 1915.
- F. Certified copies of completed disinterment permits may be issued to any next of kin of the deceased or the firm authorized to perform the disinterment upon receipt of an application and payment for a record search as defined in Section 1300. No other parties shall be issued copies of the completed disinterment permit except upon order from a court of competent jurisdiction.

## 904. Disposition of Body or Fetus by Hospital Officials Authorized by Next of Kin.