Florida Administrative Code › 69 - DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES › 69K - Division of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services › Chapter 69K-33 - HANDLING AND STORING HUMAN REMAINS › Section 69K-33.001 - Requirements Regarding Handling and Storing of Human Remains

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) Funeral establishments shall establish a
				system of identification of human remains received. This system shall be
				designed to track the identity of the remains from the time of receipt until
				delivery of the remains to the authorized persons. This is in addition to the
				requirements for identification of human remains set forth in section
				 497.171, F.S.
(2)
(a) All
				human remains in the possession of a chapter 497, F.S., licensee shall be
				refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below commencing 24 hours after death,
				unless the remains have by then been embalmed.
(b) Un-embalmed remains once placed in
				refrigeration shall not be removed from refrigeration, until removed for final
				disposition and as may be necessary for transportation, identification, viewing
				or similar service, or for containment or treatment as required by paragraphs
				(2)(g)-(i) of this rule.
(c) Human
				remains shall be completely covered immediately prior to exiting the place of
				removal and completely covered while being transported and stored.
(d) Human remains while held at an
				establishment or facility licensed under chapter 497, F.S., shall be kept out
				of sight of the public, except when, with the approval of a licensed funeral
				director and/or embalmer, particular remains are intentionally exposed to a
				legally authorized person, to one or more family members of the decedent, at a
				viewing, or at a funeral service or burial service.
(e) As used in this rule, the term "vermin"
				includes all insects, insect larvae, and rodents.
(f) All human remains received at a licensed
				establishment or facility shall within 24 hours of receipt at the establishment
				or facility be inspected by the establishment's operational staff for the
				presence of vermin infestation, and if same is detected, the remains shall be
				promptly treated for containment or elimination of same; elimination, if
				necessary, shall be performed by a funeral director & embalmer, embalmer,
				or an intern or apprentice of same. Such treatment shall not constitute
				embalming and shall not require the approval of a legally authorized
				person.
(g) Embalmed remains not
				stored in refrigeration or entombed in a cemetery shall be inspected at least
				once every 48 hours by operational staff of the establishment or facility. Any
				vermin infestation, mold, or mildew noted on the remains shall be promptly and
				effectively treated for containment or elimination of same; elimination, if
				necessary, shall be performed by a funeral director & embalmer, embalmer,
				or an intern or apprentice of same.
(h) Human remains stored in refrigeration
				shall be inspected by operational staff of the establishment or facility at
				each handling and no less than monthly. Any vermin infestation, mold, or mildew
				noted on the remains shall be promptly and effectively treated for containment
				or elimination of same; elimination, if necessary, shall be performed by a
				funeral director & embalmer, embalmer, or an intern or apprentice of same.
				Such treatment shall not constitute embalming and shall not require the
				approval of a legally authorized person.
(i) The requirement that human remains be
				handled, stored, and treated by all chapter 497, F.S., licensees with dignity
				and respect in accordance with chapter 497, F.S., and rules thereunder is not
				contingent on payment to the licensee of amounts due for professional services
				by the licensee.