(1)
Funeral establishments, funeral directors, embalmers, interns, employees or
agents while providing for the care and handling of human remains shall:
(a) Comply with all applicable Washington
state laws, rules and regulations related to health or the handling,
transportation or disposition of human remains. This rule includes compliance
with OSHA/WISHA standards specifically defined in OSHA
29 C.F.R.
1910.1030 with regard to the handling of
human remains and infectious materials.
(b) Not perform any act which will tend to
affect adversely the dignity, individual integrity or the respectful and
reverential handling and burial or other lawful disposition of human
remains.
(c) Upon receipt of the
human remains, obtain the identity of the human remains as established by the
institution, agency, or individual releasing the remains and place an
identification bracelet or tag on the ankle or wrist of the remains. In the
case of a remains that must be placed in a protective pouch due to the
condition of the remains, an identification bracelet or tag should be placed
inside the pouch and a second bracelet or tag attached to the exterior of the
pouch.
(d) Follow the directions of
the individual or individuals that has/have the right to control the
disposition of the human remains.
(e) Record and maintain the following
information:
(i) Name of deceased;
(ii) Date of death;
(iii) Place of death;
(iv) Name and relationship of person(s)
having the right to control the disposition;
(v) Date and time of receipt of
remains;
(vi) Date and time of
refrigeration and/or embalming;
(vii) Date and time of removal of remains
from refrigeration;
(viii) Method,
date and location of disposition.
(f) Not separate any organs, viscera or
appendages of a human remains from any other portion of the remains for a
separate or different disposition.
(g) Provide refrigerated holding of a human
remains for which embalming has not been authorized. In addition to these
regulations, the handling and refrigeration of human remains shall be governed
by chapter 246-500 WAC.
(2) The care and preparation for burial or
other disposition of all human remains shall be private. No one shall be
allowed in the embalming or preparation rooms while a human remains is being
embalmed or during the course of an autopsy except the licensee, their licensed
employees, and public officials in the discharge of their duties. This rule
shall not apply to medical personnel employed in a situation requiring medical
expertise or those authorized to be present by the decedent's next of
kin.
(3) Every licensee shall
provide a written itemization of any property, money, jewelry, possessions or
other items found on a human remains in the licensee's care, custody or control
to the decedent's next of kin or the proper authorities.
