Sec. 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
Sec. 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.