State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Connecticut > Title19a > Chap368a > Sec19a-91Sec. 19a-91. (Formerly Sec. 19-49). Preparation and transportation of deceased persons. Definitions. Requirements. Death resulting from reportable disease. Disposition of burial or cremation materials. Regulations. (a) As used in this section:
(1) "Wash" means to bathe or treat the entire surface of a dead human body with a disinfecting and deodorizing solution or to treat the entire surface of the dead human body with embalming powder.
(2) "Embalm" means to inject the circulatory system of a dead human body with embalming fluid in an amount not less than five per cent of the body weight, or to inject the body cavity of a dead human body with embalming fluid in an amount necessary to properly preserve the body and render it sanitary.
(3) "Wrap" means to place a dead human body in a burial or cremation pouch made of not less than four millimeters of plastic.
(4) "Embalming fluid" means a fluid containing not less than four per cent formaldehyde gas by weight.
(5) "Disinfecting solution" means an aqueous solution or spray containing not less than five per cent phenol by weight, or an equivalent in germicidal action.
(b) No licensed embalmer or funeral director shall remove a dead human body from the place of death to another location for preparation until the body has been temporarily wrapped. If the body is to be transported by common carrier, the licensed embalmer or funeral director having charge of the body shall have the body washed or embalmed and then enclosed in a casket and outside box or, in lieu of such double container, by being wrapped.
(c) In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection (b) of this section, in the case of death resulting from a disease on the current list of reportable diseases developed pursuant to section 19a-36-A2 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, the licensed embalmer or funeral director having charge of the dead human body shall prepare such body for burial or cremation by having the body washed, embalmed or wrapped as soon as practicable after the body arrives at the licensed embalmer's or licensed funeral director's place of business. The provisions of this subsection do not apply if death is not the result of a disease on the current list of reportable diseases developed pursuant to section 19a-36-A2 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, provided the licensed embalmer or funeral director having charge of the body takes appropriate measures to ensure that the body does not pose a threat to the public health.
(d) A licensed embalmer or funeral director shall dispose of any burial or cremation pouch used to wrap a dead human body after each use or clean and wash such pouch with a disinfecting solution after each use. No licensed embalmer or funeral director may use a solution for disinfecting that does not meet the standard specified in the definition under subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of this section unless such solution is approved, in writing, by the Department of Public Health.
(e) The Department of Public Health may adopt such regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, concerning the preparation and transportation of the bodies of deceased persons to be removed from or into the limits of any town or into any adjoining state, as the public health and welfare may require. Such regulations shall be signed by the Commissioner of Public Health, and a copy thereof shall be mailed to each town clerk, licensed embalmer and funeral director at least fifteen days before such regulations take effect. Any person who violates any regulation of the department adopted pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars.
(1949 Rev., S. 3838; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 00-27, S. 15, 24; P.A. 07-104, S. 5; 07-252, S. 85.)
History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department and commissioner of health with department and commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-49 transferred to Sec. 19a-91 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced department and commissioner of health services with department and commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 00-27 made technical changes, effective May 1, 2000; P.A. 07-104 redesignated existing provisions as Subsec. (e) and added new Subsecs. (a) to (d) establishing definitions and requirements for preparing and transporting dead human bodies and disinfecting burial and cremation materials, effective June 11, 2007; P.A. 07-252 amended Subsec. (a)(5) to redefine "disinfecting solution" to include an equivalent in germicidal action, effective July 12, 2007.
See Secs. 7-64 to 7-72, inclusive, re disposal of bodies, disinterment and removal of bodies and re sexton's duties, generally.
See chapter 368i re anatomical donations.
See chapter 368j re cemeteries.
See chapter 368k re crematories.
See Sec. 19a-504 re removal of bodies of deceased persons from presence of patients in hospitals, residential care homes and rest homes.
See chapter 385 re embalmers and funeral directors.
See Secs. 53-331 to 53-334, inclusive, re penalties for offenses concerning burial practices and unlawful disinterment.
