reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.44 - Endowment Care Fund. › 68.44.070 - Use of contributions to funds.

RCW 68.44.070
Use of contributions to funds.
Contributions to endowment care and special care funds are permitted for charitable purposes. Endowment care and such contributions are provisions for the discharge of a duty from the persons contributing to the persons interred or to be interred in the cemetery. This provision is for the benefit and protection of the public by preserving and keeping cemeteries from becoming neglected places of disgrace in the communities they serve.
[ 2005 c 365 § 115; 1953 c 290 § 16. Prior: (i) 1943 c 247 § 130; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-130. (ii) 1943 c 247 § 117; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-117.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.44 - Endowment Care Fund. › 68.44.080 - Plans for care—Financing.

RCW 68.44.080
Plans for care—Financing.
The cemetery authority may adopt plans for the care, maintenance, and embellishment of its cemetery. A cemetery authority may charge and collect from all purchasers of plots or rights of interment a reasonable sum that will generate a fund, and the income from the fund will provide care, maintenance, and embellishment on an endowment basis.
[ 2005 c 365 § 116; 1953 c 290 § 17; 1943 c 247 § 108; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-108.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.44 - Endowment Care Fund. › 68.44.090 - Covenant to care for cemetery.

RCW 68.44.090
Covenant to care for cemetery.
Upon payment of the purchase price and the contribution for endowment care, a deed of conveyance or other instrument may include an agreement to care for the cemetery, on an endowment basis to the extent the income will permit.
[ 2005 c 365 § 117; 1953 c 290 § 18; 1943 c 247 § 109; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-109.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.44 - Endowment Care Fund. › 68.44.100 - Agreement by owner to care for plot.

RCW 68.44.100
Agreement by owner to care for plot.
Upon the application of an owner of a plot, and upon the payment by the owner of the amount fixed as a reasonable and proportionate contribution for endowment care, a cemetery authority may enter into an agreement with the owner for the special care of his or her plot and its appurtenances.
[ 2005 c 365 § 118; 1953 c 290 § 19; 1943 c 247 § 110; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-110.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.44 - Endowment Care Fund. › 68.44.110 - Trustees of fund.

RCW 68.44.110
Trustees of fund.
Unless an association of lot owners has been created for the purpose of appointing trustees, the cemetery authority shall appoint a minimum of three trustees for its endowment care fund, who shall hold office subject to the direction of the cemetery authority.
[ 2005 c 365 § 119; 1987 c 331 § 43; 1953 c 290 § 20; 1943 c 247 § 111; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-111.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.44 - Endowment Care Fund. › 68.44.115 - Trustee to file statement with board—Resignation of trusteeship.

RCW 68.44.115
Trustee to file statement with board—Resignation of trusteeship.
To be considered qualified as a trustee, each trustee of an endowment care fund appointed in accordance with this chapter shall file with the board a statement of acceptance of fiduciary responsibility, on a form approved by the board, before assuming the duties of trustee. The trustee shall remain in the trustee's fiduciary capacity until such time as the trustee advises the funeral and cemetery board in writing of the trustee's resignation of trusteeship.
[ 2009 c 102 § 15; 1987 c 331 § 44.]
NOTES:
Funeral directors and embalmers account and cemetery account abolished, moneys transferred to funeral and cemetery account—2009 c 102: See note following RCW 18.39.810.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.44 - Endowment Care Fund. › 68.44.120 - Directors as trustees—Secretary.

RCW 68.44.120
Directors as trustees—Secretary.
The directors of a cemetery authority may be the trustees of its endowment care fund. When the fund is in the care of the directors, the secretary of the cemetery authority shall keep a true record of all of its proceedings.
[ 2005 c 365 § 120; 1987 c 331 § 45; 1953 c 290 § 21; 1943 c 247 § 112; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-112.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.44 - Endowment Care Fund. › 68.44.130 - Bank or trust company as trustee.

RCW 68.44.130
Bank or trust company as trustee.
In lieu of the appointment of a board of trustees of its endowment care fund, a cemetery authority may appoint, as sole trustee of its endowment care fund, any bank or trust company qualified to engage in the trust business. The bank or trust company shall be authorized to receive and accept the endowment care fund at the time of its appointment.
[ 2005 c 365 § 121; 1987 c 331 § 46; 1943 c 247 § 113; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-113.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.44 - Endowment Care Fund. › 68.44.140 - Compensation of trustees.

RCW 68.44.140
Compensation of trustees.
Compensation to the board of trustees or trustee for services as trustee and other compensation for administration of trust funds shall not exceed the customary fees charged by banks and trust companies for like services. Such fees may not be paid from the fund principal.
[ 2005 c 365 § 122; 1987 c 331 § 47; 1979 c 21 § 20; 1943 c 247 § 114; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-114.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.44 - Endowment Care Fund. › 68.44.150 - Annual report.

RCW 68.44.150
Annual report.
The cemetery authority or the trustees in whose names the funds are held shall, annually, and within ninety days after the end of the calendar or fiscal year of the cemetery authority, file in its office and with the funeral and cemetery board endowment care trust fund, a report showing the actual financial condition of the funds. The report must be signed by an officer of the cemetery authority or one or more of the trustees. The report must be maintained for a period of seven years.
[ 2009 c 102 § 16; 2005 c 365 § 123; 1987 c 331 § 48; 1979 c 21 § 21; 1943 c 247 § 115; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-115.]
NOTES:
Funeral directors and embalmers account and cemetery account abolished, moneys transferred to funeral and cemetery account—2009 c 102: See note following RCW 18.39.810.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.44 - Endowment Care Fund. › 68.44.160 - Contributions.

RCW 68.44.160
Contributions.
A cemetery authority which has established an endowment care fund may take and hold, as a part of the fund, any property, real, personal, or mixed, bequeathed, devised, granted, given, or otherwise contributed to it for its endowment care fund.
[ 2005 c 365 § 124; 1953 c 290 § 22; 1943 c 247 § 116; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-116.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.44 - Endowment Care Fund. › 68.44.170 - Use of income from fund.

RCW 68.44.170
Use of income from fund.
The income from the endowment care fund shall be used solely for the general care, maintenance, and embellishment of the cemetery, and shall be applied in such manner as the cemetery authority may from time to time determine to be for the best interest of the cemetery.
[ 1953 c 290 § 23; 1943 c 247 § 107; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-107.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.44 - Endowment Care Fund. › 68.44.180 - Certain cemeteries exempt from chapter.

RCW 68.44.180
Certain cemeteries exempt from chapter.
This chapter does not apply to any cemetery controlled and operated by a coroner, county, city, town, or cemetery district.
[ 1987 c 331 § 49.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.010 - Definitions.

RCW 68.46.010
Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Board" means the funeral and cemetery board established under RCW 18.39.173 or its authorized representative.
(2) "Cemetery merchandise or services" and "merchandise or services" mean those services normally performed by cemetery authorities, including the sale of monuments, markers, memorials, nameplates, liners, vaults, boxes, urns, vases, interment services, or any one or more of them.
(3) "Prearrangement contract" means a contract for purchase of cemetery merchandise or services, unconstructed crypts or niches, or undeveloped graves to be furnished at a future date for a specific consideration which is paid in advance by one or more payments in one sum or by installment payments.
(4) "Prearrangement trust fund" means all funds required to be maintained in one or more funds for the benefit of beneficiaries by either this chapter or by the terms of a prearrangement contract, as herein defined.
(5) "Undeveloped grave" means any grave in an area which a cemetery authority has not landscaped, groomed, or developed to the extent customary in the cemetery industry.
[ 2009 c 102 § 17; 2005 c 365 § 125; 1979 c 21 § 22; 1975 1st ex.s. c 55 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 68 § 1.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note: The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k).
Funeral directors and embalmers account and cemetery account abolished, moneys transferred to funeral and cemetery account—2009 c 102: See note following RCW 18.39.810.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.020 - Prearrangement trust funds—Required.

RCW 68.46.020
Prearrangement trust funds—Required.
Any cemetery authority selling by prearrangement contracts any merchandise or services shall establish and maintain one or more prearrangement trust funds for the benefit of beneficiaries of prearrangement contracts.
[ 2005 c 365 § 126; 1973 1st ex.s. c 68 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.040 - Prearrangement trust funds—Deposit of funds.

RCW 68.46.040
Prearrangement trust funds—Deposit of funds.
(1) All prearrangement trust funds must be deposited in a commercial bank, trust company, mutual savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union, whether state or federally chartered. Such accounts must be designated as the "prearrangement trust fund" by name and the particular cemetery authority for the benefit of the beneficiaries named in any prearrangement contract.
(2) All prearrangement trust funds must be invested in accordance with the provisions of RCW 11.100.020 subject to the following restrictions:
(a) No officer or director of the cemetery authority, trustee of the prearrangement trust funds, or spouse, sibling, parent, grandparent, or issue of such officer, director, or trustee, may borrow any of such funds for himself or herself, directly or indirectly;
(b) No funds may be loaned to the cemetery authority, its agents, or employees, or to any corporation, partnership, or other business entity in which the cemetery authority has any ownership interest; and
(c) No funds may be invested with persons or business entities operating in a business field directly related to cemeteries.
[ 2012 c 206 § 1; 2005 c 365 § 128; 1987 c 331 § 50; 1973 1st ex.s. c 68 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.050 - Withdrawals from trust funds—Notice of department of social and health services' claim.

RCW 68.46.050
Withdrawals from trust funds—Notice of department of social and health services' claim.
(1) A depository of prearrangement funds shall permit a cemetery authority to withdraw all funds deposited under any specific prearrangement contract plus interest accrued thereon, under the following circumstances and conditions:
(a) If the cemetery authority files a verified statement with the depository that the prearrangement merchandise and services covered by a contract have been furnished and delivered; or
(b) If the cemetery authority files a verified statement that a specific prearrangement contract has been canceled in accordance with its terms.
(2) The department of social and health services shall notify the cemetery authority maintaining a prearrangement trust fund regulated by this chapter that the department has a claim on the estate of a beneficiary for long-term care services. Such notice shall be renewed at least every three years. The cemetery authority, upon becoming aware of the death of a beneficiary, shall give notice to the department of social and health services, office of financial recovery, who shall file any claim there may be within thirty days of the notice.
[ 2005 c 365 § 129; 1995 1st sp.s. c 18 § 65; 1973 1st ex.s. c 68 § 5.]
NOTES:
Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—Effective date—1995 1st sp.s. c 18: See notes following RCW 74.39A.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.055 - Indebtedness limitations.

RCW 68.46.055
Indebtedness limitations.
No cemetery authority may enter into a retail contract for the purchase of debentures, shares, scrip, bonds, notes, or any instrument or evidence of indebtedness that requires the cemetery authority to furnish cemetery merchandise, services, or interment rights to the holder at a future date. This section does not include retail installment sales transactions governed by chapter 63.14 RCW.
[ 2005 c 365 § 130; 1984 c 53 § 8.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.060 - Termination of contract by purchaser or beneficiary.

RCW 68.46.060
Termination of contract by purchaser or beneficiary.
Any purchaser or beneficiary may, upon written demand of any cemetery authority, demand that any prearrangement contract with such cemetery authority be terminated. In such event, the cemetery authority shall, within thirty days, refund to the purchaser or beneficiary fifty percent of the moneys received less the contractual price of any merchandise delivered or services performed before the termination plus interest earned. In any case, where, under a prearrangement contract there is more than one beneficiary, no written demand as provided in this section shall be honored by any cemetery authority unless the written demand provided for in this section shall bear the signatures of all of such beneficiaries.
[ 2005 c 365 § 132; 1987 c 331 § 51; 1984 c 53 § 4; 1979 c 21 § 25; 1973 1st ex.s. c 68 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.070 - Involuntary termination of contract—Refund.

RCW 68.46.070
Involuntary termination of contract—Refund.
Prearrangement contracts shall terminate upon demand of the purchaser of the contract if the cemetery authority shall go out of business, become insolvent or bankrupt, make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or for any other reason be unable to fulfill the obligations under the contract. Upon demand by the purchaser or beneficiary or beneficiaries of any prearrangement contract, the cemetery authority shall refund one hundred percent of the original contract, less delivered services and merchandise, including funds held in deposit and interest earned thereon, unless otherwise ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
[ 1987 c 331 § 52; 1979 c 21 § 26; 1973 1st ex.s. c 68 § 7.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.075 - Inactive contracts—Funds transfer—Obligations.

RCW 68.46.075
Inactive contracts—Funds transfer—Obligations.
In the event the beneficiary of a prearrangement contract make[s] no claim within fifty years of the date of the contract for the merchandise and services provided in the prearrangement contract, the funds deposited in the prearrangement trust for that contract, plus interest, shall be transferred to the cemetery authority's endowment fund, to be used for the purposes for which the endowment fund was established. However, the cemetery authority shall remain obligated for merchandise and services, unconstructed crypts, niches, and undeveloped property under the terms of the prearrangement contract. Claims may be made for merchandise and services, unconstructed crypts, niches, and undeveloped property on a prearrangement contract after the funds have been transferred to the endowment fund. These claims shall be paid for from the endowment fund income on a contract by contract basis.
[ 2005 c 365 § 133; 1979 c 21 § 27.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.080 - Other use of trust funds prohibited.

RCW 68.46.080
Other use of trust funds prohibited.
Prearrangement trust funds shall not be used in any way for the benefit of the cemetery authority or any director, officer, agent, or employee of any cemetery authority, including, but not limited to any encumbrance, pledge, or other utilization or prearrangement trust funds as collateral or other security.
[ 2005 c 365 § 134; 1973 1st ex.s. c 68 § 8.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.090 - Financial reports—Filing—Verification.

RCW 68.46.090
Financial reports—Filing—Verification.
Any cemetery authority selling prearrangement merchandise or other prearrangement services shall file in its office and with the board a written report upon forms prepared by the board which shall state the amount of the principle of the prearrangement trust fund, the depository of such fund, and cash on hand which is or may be due to the fund as well as other information the board may deem appropriate. All information appearing on such written reports shall be revised at least annually. These reports shall be verified by the president, or the vice president, and one other officer of the cemetery authority, the accountant or auditor who prepared the report, and, if required by the board for good cause, a certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
[ 2009 c 102 § 18; 2005 c 365 § 135; 1983 c 190 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 351 § 5; 1973 1st ex.s. c 68 § 9.]
NOTES:
Funeral directors and embalmers account and cemetery account abolished, moneys transferred to funeral and cemetery account—2009 c 102: See note following RCW 18.39.810.
Severability—1977 ex.s. c 351: See note following RCW 68.05.180.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.100 - Prearrangement contract requirements.

RCW 68.46.100
Prearrangement contract requirements.
Every prearrangement contract shall contain language which informs the purchaser of the prearrangement trust fund and the amount to be deposited in the prearrangement trust fund. The amount deposited to the prearrangement trust fund must meet the requirements of RCW 68.46.030.
Every prearrangement contract shall contain language prominently featured on the face of the contract disclosing to the purchaser what items will be delivered before need, either stored or installed, and thus not subject to funding or refund.
Every prearrangement contract for the sale of unconstructed crypts, niches, or undeveloped property shall contain language which informs the purchaser that sales of unconstructed or undeveloped property are subject to the provisions of RCW 68.46.030.
[ 2005 c 365 § 136; 1987 c 331 § 53; 1984 c 53 § 5; 1973 1st ex.s. c 68 § 10.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.110 - Compliance required.

RCW 68.46.110
Compliance required.
No cemetery authority shall sell, offer to sell, or authorize the sale of cemetery merchandise or services or accept funds in payment of any prearrangement contract unless such acts are performed in compliance with this title and under the authority of a valid and unsuspended certificate of authority to operate a cemetery in this state.
[ 2005 c 365 § 137; 1973 1st ex.s. c 68 § 11.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.125 - Certain cemeteries exempt from chapter.

RCW 68.46.125
Certain cemeteries exempt from chapter.
This chapter does not apply to any cemetery controlled and operated by a coroner, county, city, town, or cemetery district.
[ 1987 c 331 § 54.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.130 - Exemptions from chapter granted by board.

RCW 68.46.130
Exemptions from chapter granted by board.
The board may grant an exemption from any or all of the requirements of this chapter relating to prearrangement contracts to any cemetery authority which:
(1) Sells less than twenty prearrangement contracts per year; and
(2) Deposits one hundred percent of all funds received into a trust fund under RCW 68.46.030, as now or hereafter amended.
[ 2009 c 102 § 19; 1979 c 21 § 43.]
NOTES:
Funeral directors and embalmers account and cemetery account abolished, moneys transferred to funeral and cemetery account—2009 c 102: See note following RCW 18.39.810.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.160 - Contract forms—Filing.

RCW 68.46.160
Contract forms—Filing.
No cemetery authority shall use a prearrangement contract without first filing the form of such contract with the board: PROVIDED, That the board may order the cemetery authority to cease using any prearrangement contract form which:
(1) Is in violation of any provision of this chapter;
(2) Is misleading or deceptive; or
(3) Is being used in connection with solicitation by false, misleading or deceptive advertising or sales practices.
Use of a prearrangement contract form which is not on file with the board or which the board has ordered the cemetery authority not to use shall be a violation of this chapter.
[ 1979 c 21 § 38.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.170 - Sales licenses—Requirement.

RCW 68.46.170
Sales licenses—Requirement.
No cemetery authority shall enter into prearrangement contracts in this state unless the cemetery authority has obtained a prearrangement sales license issued by the board or its authorized representative and such license is then current and valid.
[ 1979 c 21 § 23.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.46 - Prearrangement Contracts. › 68.46.175 - Unconstructed crypts, etc., as part of contract—Requirements.

RCW 68.46.175
Unconstructed crypts, etc., as part of contract—Requirements.
(1) A cemetery authority that enters into prearrangement contracts for the sale of unconstructed crypts, niches, or undeveloped property, or that conveys undeveloped property by gift, shall maintain an adequate inventory of constructed crypts or niches and developed property. The inventory shall be a minimum of ten percent of the unconstructed or undeveloped property sales. The inventory shall be equal or better in quality than the unconstructed crypts or niches, or undeveloped property if they were constructed or developed.
(2) If the death of a purchaser or owner of an unconstructed crypt, niche, or undeveloped property occurs before the property is constructed or developed, the cemetery authority shall provide a constructed crypt, niche, or developed property of equal or better quality without additional cost or charge.
(3) If two or more unconstructed crypts, niches, or undeveloped properties are conveyed with the intention that the crypts, niches, or properties shall be contiguous to each other or maintained together as a group and the death of any one purchaser or owner in such group occurs before the unconstructed crypts, niches, or undeveloped property is developed, the cemetery authority shall provide additional constructed crypts, niches, or developed property of equal or better quality, contiguous to each other or together as a group, as originally intended, to other purchasers or owners in the group without additional cost or charge.
(4) The representative of the deceased purchaser may agree to the placement of the decedent in a temporary crypt, niche, or grave until the construction is completed and the decedent is placed in the new crypt, niche, or grave.
(5) Prearrangement sales of unconstructed crypts, niches, or undeveloped property must meet the requirements of RCW 68.46.030.
[ 2005 c 365 § 131.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.010 - Coroner's jurisdiction over remains.

RCW 68.50.010
Coroner's jurisdiction over remains.
The jurisdiction of bodies of all deceased persons who come to their death suddenly when in apparent good health without medical attendance within the thirty-six hours preceding death; or where the circumstances of death indicate death was caused by unnatural or unlawful means; or where death occurs under suspicious circumstances; or where a coroner's autopsy or postmortem or coroner's inquest is to be held; or where death results from unknown or obscure causes, or where death occurs within one year following an accident; or where the death is caused by any violence whatsoever, or where death results from a known or suspected abortion; whether self-induced or otherwise; where death apparently results from drowning, hanging, burns, electrocution, gunshot wounds, stabs or cuts, lightning, starvation, radiation, exposure, alcoholism, narcotics or other addictions, tetanus, strangulations, suffocation or smothering; or where death is due to premature birth or still birth; or where death is due to a violent contagious disease or suspected contagious disease which may be a public health hazard; or where death results from alleged rape, carnal knowledge or sodomy, where death occurs in a jail or prison; where a body is found dead or is not claimed by relatives or friends, is hereby vested in the county coroner or medical examiner, which bodies may be removed and placed in the morgue under such rules as are adopted by the coroner or medical examiner with the approval of the county commissioners, having jurisdiction, providing therein how the bodies shall be brought to and cared for at the morgue and held for the proper identification where necessary.
[ 2021 c 127 § 7; 1963 c 178 § 1; 1953 c 188 § 1; 1917 c 90 § 3; RRS § 6042. Formerly RCW 68.08.010.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.015 - Immunity for determining cause and manner of death—Judicial review of determination.

RCW 68.50.015
Immunity for determining cause and manner of death—Judicial review of determination.
A county coroner or county medical examiner or persons acting in that capacity shall be immune from civil liability for determining the cause and manner of death. The accuracy of the determinations is subject to judicial review.
[ 1987 c 263 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.020 - Notice to coroner or medical examiner—Penalty.

RCW 68.50.020
Notice to coroner or medical examiner—Penalty.
It shall be the duty of every person who knows of the existence and location of human remains coming under the jurisdiction of the coroner or medical examiner as set forth in RCW 68.50.010 or 27.44.055, to notify the coroner, medical examiner, or law enforcement thereof in the most expeditious manner possible, unless such person shall have good reason to believe that such notice has already been given. Any person knowing of the existence of such human remains and not having good reason to believe that the coroner has notice thereof and who shall fail to give notice to the coroner as aforesaid, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. For purposes of this section and unless the context clearly requires otherwise, "human remains" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 68.04.020. Human remains also includes, but is not limited to, skeletal remains.
[ 2016 c 221 § 2; 1987 c 331 § 55; 1917 c 90 § 4; RRS § 6043. Formerly RCW 68.08.020.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.032 - Transportation of remains directed by coroner or medical examiner—Costs.

RCW 68.50.032
Transportation of remains directed by coroner or medical examiner—Costs.
Whenever a coroner or medical examiner assumes jurisdiction over human remains and directs transportation of those remains by a funeral establishment, as defined in RCW 18.39.010, the reasonable costs of transporting shall be borne by the county if: (1) The funeral establishment transporting the remains is not providing the funeral or disposition services; or (2) the funeral establishment providing the funeral or disposition services is required to transport the remains to a facility other than its own.
Except as provided in RCW 36.39.030, 68.52.030, and 73.08.070, any transportation costs or other costs incurred after the coroner or medical examiner has released jurisdiction over the human remains shall not be borne by the county.
[ 1991 c 176 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.035 - Unlawful to refuse burial to non-Caucasian.

RCW 68.50.035
Unlawful to refuse burial to non-Caucasian.
It shall be unlawful for any cemetery under this chapter to refuse burial to any person because such person may not be of the Caucasian race.
[ 1953 c 290 § 53. Formerly RCW 68.05.260.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.040 - Deceased's effects to be listed.

RCW 68.50.040
Deceased's effects to be listed.
All jewelry, moneys, papers, and other personal property of the deceased shall be inventoried immediately upon being taken into custody by the coroner or his or her appointees. The original of such lists shall be certified to by the coroner and kept as a public record at the county morgue.
[ 2017 c 37 § 5; 2012 c 117 § 314; 1917 c 90 § 6; RRS § 6045. Formerly RCW 68.08.040.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.050 - Removal or concealment of body—Penalty.

RCW 68.50.050
Removal or concealment of body—Penalty.
(1) Any person, not authorized or directed by the coroner or medical examiner or their deputies, who removes the body of a deceased person not claimed by a relative or friend, or moves, disturbs, molests, or interferes with the human remains coming within the jurisdiction of the coroner or medical examiner as set forth in RCW 68.50.010, to any undertaking rooms or elsewhere, or any person who knowingly directs, aids, or abets such unauthorized moving, disturbing, molesting, or taking, and any person who knowingly conceals the human remains, shall in each of said cases be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
(2) In evaluating whether it is necessary to retain jurisdiction and custody of human remains under RCW 68.50.010, 68.50.645, and 27.44.055, the coroner or medical examiner shall consider the deceased's religious beliefs, if known, including the tenets, customs, or rites related to death and burial.
(3) For purposes of this section and unless the context clearly requires otherwise, "human remains" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 68.04.020. Human remains also includes, but is not limited to, skeletal remains.
[ 2016 c 221 § 1; 2011 c 96 § 48; 1917 c 90 § 7; RRS § 6046. Formerly RCW 68.08.050.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2011 c 96: See note following RCW 9A.20.021.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.060 - Bodies for instruction purposes.

RCW 68.50.060
Bodies for instruction purposes.
Any physician or surgeon of this state, or any medical student under the authority of any such physician or surgeon, may obtain, as hereinafter provided, and have in his or her possession human dead bodies, or the parts thereof, for the purposes of anatomical inquiry or instruction.
[ 2012 c 117 § 315; 1891 c 123 § 1; RRS § 10026. Formerly RCW 68.08.060.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.070 - Human remains—Disposition.

RCW 68.50.070
Human remains—Disposition.
(1) Any public agency required to provide for the disposition of human remains in any legal manner at public expense must surrender the human remains to:
(a) Any physician or surgeon, to be used for the advancement of anatomical science, preference being given to medical schools in this state, for their use in the instruction of medical students; or
(b) An accredited educational institution offering funeral services and embalming programs for use in training embalming students under the supervision of an embalmer licensed under chapter 18.39 RCW.
(2) If the deceased person requested to be buried, or if some person claiming to be a relative or a responsible officer of a religious organization with which the deceased at the time of death was affiliated requires the remains to be buried, the remains must be buried, subject to the requirements of RCW 68.50.110 and 68.50.230.
[ 2011 c 265 § 1; 1959 c 23 § 1; 1953 c 224 § 2; 1891 c 123 § 2; RRS § 10027. Formerly RCW 68.08.070.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.080 - Certificate and bond before receiving bodies.

RCW 68.50.080
Certificate and bond before receiving bodies.
Every physician or surgeon before receiving the dead body must give to the board or officer surrendering the same to him or her a certificate from the medical society of the county in which he or she resides, or if there is none, from the board of supervisors of the same, that he or she is a fit person to receive such dead body. He or she must also give a bond with two sureties, that each body so by him or her received will be used only for the promotion of anatomical science, and that it will be used for such purpose in this state only, and so as in no event to outrage the public feeling.
[ 2012 c 117 § 316; 1891 c 123 § 3; RRS § 10028. Formerly RCW 68.08.080.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.090 - Penalty.

RCW 68.50.090
Penalty.
Any person violating any provision of RCW 68.50.060 through 68.50.080 shall upon conviction thereof be fined in any sum not exceeding five hundred dollars.
[ 1987 c 331 § 56; 1891 c 123 § 4; RRS § 10029. Formerly RCW 68.08.090.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.100 - Dissection, when permitted—Autopsy of person under the age of three years.

RCW 68.50.100
Dissection, when permitted—Autopsy of person under the age of three years.
(1) The right to dissect a dead body shall be limited to cases specially provided by statute or by the direction or will of the deceased; cases where a coroner is authorized to hold an inquest upon the body, and then only as he or she may authorize dissection; and cases where the spouse, state registered domestic partner, or next of kin charged by law with the duty of burial shall authorize dissection for the purpose of ascertaining the cause of death, and then only to the extent so authorized: PROVIDED, That the coroner, in his or her discretion, may make or cause to be made by a competent pathologist, toxicologist, or physician, an autopsy or postmortem in any case in which the coroner has jurisdiction of a body: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That the coroner may with the approval of the University of Washington and with the consent of a parent or guardian deliver any body of a deceased person under the age of three years over which he or she has jurisdiction to the University of Washington medical school for the purpose of having an autopsy made to determine the cause of death.
(2) Every person who shall make, cause, or procure to be made any dissection of a body, except as provided in this section, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
[ 2007 c 156 § 21; 2003 c 53 § 307; 1963 c 178 § 2; 1953 c 188 § 2; 1909 c 249 § 237; RRS § 2489. Formerly RCW 68.08.100.]
NOTES:
Intent—Effective date—2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.101 - Autopsy, postmortem—Who may authorize.

RCW 68.50.101
Autopsy, postmortem—Who may authorize.
Autopsy or postmortem may be performed in any case where authorization has been given by a member of one of the following classes of persons in the following order of priority:
(1) The surviving spouse or state registered domestic partner;
(2) Any child of the decedent who is eighteen years of age or older;
(3) One of the parents of the decedent;
(4) Any adult brother or sister of the decedent;
(5) A person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of death;
(6) Any other person or agency authorized or under an obligation to dispose of the remains of the decedent. The chief official of any such agency shall designate one or more persons to execute authorizations pursuant to the provisions of this section.
If the person seeking authority to perform an autopsy or postmortem makes reasonable efforts to locate and secure authorization from a competent person in the first or succeeding class and finds no such person available, authorization may be given by any person in the next class, in the order of descending priority. However, no person under this section shall have the power to authorize an autopsy or postmortem if a person of higher priority under this section has refused such authorization: PROVIDED, That this section shall not affect autopsies performed pursuant to RCW 68.50.010 or 68.50.103.
[ 2007 c 156 § 22; 1987 c 331 § 57; 1977 c 79 § 1; 1953 c 188 § 11. Formerly RCW 68.08.101.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.102 - Court petition for autopsy—Cost.

RCW 68.50.102
Court petition for autopsy—Cost.
Any party by showing just cause may petition the court to have autopsy made and results thereof made known to said party at his or her own expense.
[ 2012 c 117 § 317; 1953 c 188 § 12. Formerly RCW 68.08.102.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.103 - Autopsies in industrial deaths.

RCW 68.50.103
Autopsies in industrial deaths.
In an industrial death where the cause of death is unknown, and where the department of labor and industries is concerned, said department in its discretion, may request the coroner in writing to perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The coroner shall be required to promptly perform such autopsy upon receipt of the written request from the department of labor and industries.
[ 1953 c 188 § 6. Formerly RCW 68.08.103.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.104 - Cost of autopsy.

RCW 68.50.104
Cost of autopsy.
(1) The cost of autopsy shall be borne by the county in which the autopsy is performed, except when requested by the department of labor and industries, in which case, the department shall bear the cost of such autopsy.
(2)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, when the county bears the cost of an autopsy, it shall be reimbursed from the death investigations account, established by RCW 43.79.445, as follows:
(i) Up to 40 percent of the cost of contracting for the services of a pathologist to perform an autopsy;
(ii) Up to 30 percent of the salary of pathologists who are primarily engaged in performing autopsies and are (A) county coroners or county medical examiners, or (B) employees of a county coroner or county medical examiner;
(iii) 100 percent of the cost of autopsies conducted under RCW 70.54.450; and
(iv) Up to 40 percent of the cost of transportation of remains to and from facilities accredited pursuant to RCW 36.24.210 for the purpose of autopsy services.
(b) When the county bears the cost of an autopsy of a child under the age of three whose death was sudden and unexplained, the county shall be reimbursed for the expenses of the autopsy when the death scene investigation and the autopsy have been conducted under RCW 43.103.100 (4) and (5), and the autopsy has been done at a facility designed for the performance of autopsies.
(3) Payments from the account shall be made pursuant to biennial appropriation: PROVIDED, That no county may reduce funds appropriated for this purpose below 1983 budgeted levels.
(4) Where the county coroner's office or county medical examiner's office is not accredited pursuant to RCW 36.24.210, or a coroner, medical examiner, or other medicolegal investigative employee is not certified as required by RCW 36.24.205 and 43.101.480, the state treasurer's office shall withhold 25 percent of autopsy reimbursement funds until accreditation under RCW 36.24.210 or compliance with RCW 36.24.205 and 43.101.480 is achieved.
[ 2023 c 442 § 11; 2021 c 127 § 8; 2019 c 317 § 4; 2001 c 82 § 2; 1983 1st ex.s. c 16 § 14; 1963 c 178 § 3; 1953 c 188 § 7. Formerly RCW 68.08.104.]
NOTES:
Intent—2023 c 442: See note following RCW 28B.115.020.
Effective date—1983 1st ex.s. c 16: See RCW 43.103.901.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.105 - Autopsies, postmortems—Reports and records confidential—Exceptions.

RCW 68.50.105
Autopsies, postmortems—Reports and records confidential—Exceptions.
(1) Reports and records of autopsies or postmortems shall be confidential, except that the following persons may examine and obtain copies of any such report or record: The personal representative of the decedent as defined in RCW 11.02.005, any family member, the attending physician or advanced registered nurse practitioner, the prosecuting attorney or law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction, public health officials, the department of labor and industries in cases in which it has an interest under RCW 68.50.103, the secretary of the department of children, youth, and families or his or her designee in cases being reviewed under RCW 74.13.640, or the secretary of the department of social and health services or his or her designee under chapter 74.34 RCW.
(2)(a) Notwithstanding the restrictions contained in this section regarding the dissemination of records and reports of autopsies or postmortems, nor the exemptions referenced under RCW 42.56.240(1), nothing in this chapter prohibits a coroner, medical examiner, or his or her designee, from publicly discussing his or her findings as to any death subject to the jurisdiction of his or her office where actions of a law enforcement officer or corrections officer have been determined to be a proximate cause of the death, except as provided in (b) of this subsection.
(b) A coroner, medical examiner, or his or her designee may not publicly discuss his or her findings outside of formal court or inquest proceedings if there is a pending or active criminal investigation, or a criminal or civil action, concerning a death that has commenced prior to January 1, 2014.
(3) The coroner, the medical examiner, or the attending physician shall, upon request, meet with the family of the decedent to discuss the findings of the autopsy or postmortem. For the purposes of this section, the term "family" means the surviving spouse, state registered domestic partner, or any child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, or sister of the decedent, or any person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of death.
[ 2023 c 44 § 4; 2019 c 470 § 14; 2013 c 295 § 1; 2011 c 61 § 1. Prior: 2007 c 439 § 1; 2007 c 156 § 23; 1987 c 331 § 58; 1985 c 300 § 1; 1977 c 79 § 2; 1953 c 188 § 9. Formerly RCW 68.08.105.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2013 c 295: See note following RCW 68.50.115.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.106 - Autopsies, postmortems—Analyses—Opinions—Evidence—Costs.

RCW 68.50.106
Autopsies, postmortems—Analyses—Opinions—Evidence—Costs.
In any case in which an autopsy or postmortem is performed, the coroner or medical examiner, upon his or her own authority or upon the request of the prosecuting attorney or other law enforcement agency having jurisdiction, may make or cause to be made an analysis of the stomach contents, blood, or organs, or tissues of a deceased person and secure professional opinions thereon and retain or dispose of any specimens or organs of the deceased which in his or her discretion are desirable or needful for anatomic, bacteriological, chemical, or toxicological examination or upon lawful request are needed or desired for evidence to be presented in court. Costs shall be borne by the county.
[ 1993 c 228 § 19; 1987 c 331 § 59; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 28 § 1; 1953 c 188 § 10. Formerly RCW 68.08.106.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 68 - Cemeteries, Morgues, and Human Remains › Chapter 68.50 - Human Remains. › 68.50.107 - State toxicological laboratory established—State toxicologist.

RCW 68.50.107
State toxicological laboratory established—State toxicologist.
There shall be established in conjunction with the chief of the Washington state patrol and under the authority of the state forensic investigations council a state toxicological laboratory under the direction of the state toxicologist whose duty it will be to perform all necessary toxicologic procedures requested by all coroners, medical examiners, and prosecuting attorneys. The state forensic investigations council, after consulting with the chief of the Washington state patrol and director of the bureau of forensic laboratory services, shall appoint a toxicologist as state toxicologist, who shall report to the director of the bureau of forensic laboratory services and the office of the chief of the Washington state patrol. Toxicological services shall be funded by disbursement from the spirits, beer, and wine restaurant; spirits, beer, and wine private club; spirits, beer, and wine nightclub; spirits, beer, and wine VIP airport lounge; and sports entertainment facility license fees as provided in RCW 66.08.180 and by appropriation from the death investigations account as provided in RCW 43.79.445.
[ 2011 c 325 § 9; 2009 c 271 § 11. Prior: 1999 c 281 § 13; 1999 c 40 § 8; 1995 c 398 § 10; 1986 c 87 § 2; 1983 1st ex.s. c 16 § 10; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 84 § 1; 1970 ex.s. c 24 § 1; 1953 c 188 § 13. Formerly RCW 68.08.107.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1999 c 40: See note following RCW 43.103.010.
Effective date—1986 c 87: See note following RCW 66.08.180.
Effective date—1983 1st ex.s. c 16: See RCW 43.103.901.
State forensic investigations council: Chapter 43.103 RCW.