Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 227 - RULES FOR ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF CREMATORIA › Section 144-227-1 - DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Alternative Container:
An unfinished wood box or
				  other non-metal receptacle or enclosure, without ornamentation or a fixed
				  interior, which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is
				  made of fiberboard, pressed wood, composition materials (with or without an
				  outside covering) or like materials.
Authorized Person(s)
: An authorized person is a
				  person legally entitled to authorize the cremation of human remains, as defined
				  by
				  22 M.R.S.A.
				  §2846.
Casket:
A rigid container which is designed for
				  the encasement of human remains, is usually constructed of wood, metal or like
				  material and ornamented and lined with fabric, and which may or may not be
				  combustible.
Cremated Remains
: All the remains of the
				  cremated human body recovered after the completion of the cremation process,
				  including pulverization which leaves only bone fragments reduced to
				  unidentifiable dimensions and may possibly include the residue of any foreign
				  matter, including casket material, bridgework or eye glasses that were cremated
				  with the human remains. Cremated remains are sometimes referred to as cremated
				  human remains.
Cremains:
Cremated human remains.
Cremation
: The technical process, using direct
				  flame and heat, or other process, that reduces human remains to bone fragments.
				  The reduction takes place through heat and evaporation, or through other
				  processes, including, but not limited to, chemical dissolution. Cremation
				  includes the processing and usually includes the pulverization of the bone
				  fragments.
Cremation Chamber
: The enclosed space within
				  which the cremation process takes place. Cremation chambers covered by these
				  procedures must be used exclusively for the cremation of human remains.
Cremation Container:
The container in which the
				  human remains are transported to the crematorium and placed in the cremation
				  chamber for a cremation. A cremation container should meet all of the following
				  standards:
(1) Composed of readily
				combustible or consumable materials that are suitable for cremation;
(2) Able to be closed, in order to provide a
				complete covering for the human remains;
(3) Resistant to leakage or
				spillage;
(4) Rigid enough for
				handling with ease; and
(5) Able to
				provide protection for the health and safety of crematorium personnel.
Cremation Interment Container (Urn Vault)
: A
				  rigid outer container that, subject to a cemetery's rules and regulations, is
				  composed of concrete, steel, fiberglass, or some similar material in which an
				  urn is placed prior to being interred in the ground, and which is designed to
				  withstand prolonged exposure to the elements and to support the earth above the
				  urn.
Crematorium Authority
: The legal entity or the
				  authorized representative of the legal entity, which is licensed by the
				  Department to operate a crematorium and perform cremation.
Crematorium
: The building or portion of a
				  building that houses the cremation chamber and the holding facility.
Crematory:
A crematorium.
Department:
Maine Department of Health and Human
				  Services.
Final Arrangement:
The permanent burial or other
				  disposition of cremated human remains.
Funeral Practitioner
. A person licensed in the
				  practice of funeral services, pursuant to 32 M.R.S.A. §1400. This person
				  may be referred to as a "funeral practitioner "or "funeral director or
				  embalmer."
Funeral Establishment:
Every place or premises
				  devoted to, or used in the care and preparation for the funeral and burial of
				  human remains, or maintained for the convenience of the bereaved for viewing or
				  other services in connection with the human remains, or as the office or place
				  for carrying on the profession of funeral service, as defined by 32 M.R.S.A.
				  §1400(3).
Holding Facility
. An area within, or adjacent
				  to, the crematorium facility designated for the retention of human remains
				  prior to cremation that must:
(1) Comply with any applicable public health
				law;
(2) Preserve the dignity of
				the human remains;
(3) Recognize
				the integrity, health, and safety of the Crematorium Authority personnel
				operating the crematorium; and
(4)
				Be secure from access by anyone other than authorized personnel.
Human Remains
. The body of a deceased
				  person.
Niche
. A compartment or cubicle for the
				  memorialization or final arrangement of an urn containing cremated human
				  remains.
Permit for Disposition of Human Remains
: A
				  permit for the final resting of human remains, as required by 22 M.R.S.A.
				  §2843.
Processing
. The reduction of identifiable bone
				  fragments, after the completion of the cremation process, to unidentifiable
				  bone fragments by manual means.
Pulverization
. The reduction of identifiable
				  bone fragments, after the completion of processing, to granulated particles by
				  manual or mechanical means.
Scattering Area
. A designated area for the
				  scattering of cremated remains, usually in a cemetery and located on dedicated
				  cemetery property where cremated remains, which have been removed from their
				  container, can be mixed with, or placed on top of, the soil or ground cover or
				  buried in an underground receptacle on a co-mingled basis.
State.
State of Maine.
Temporary Container
. A temporary container is a
				  receptacle for cremated Remains, usually made of cardboard, plastic or similar
				  material designed to hold the cremated remains.
Urn
. A receptacle designed to permanently encase
				  the cremated remains, or a container in which cremated remains can be placed
				  and closed in a manner so as to prevent leakage or spillage of remains or the
				  entrance of foreign material.