DOES THE LAW REQUIRE THAT A DEAD HUMAN BODY BE EMBALMED? HOW ABOUT CREMATION?
A body dead from any cause may be interred or cremated without embalming if interment or cremation is within 24 hours of death. A reasonable period of time beyond 24 hours may be permitted if: (a) Religious beliefs, laws or customs do not permit transportation or interments on Sabbath or holy days; and (b) No health hazard or nuisance will result from such delay. A body dead from any cause other than infectious or contagious disease may be interred or cremated without embalming if embalming would violate personal or religious beliefs and no health hazard or nuisance will result. An unembalmed body may be retained in storage at a constant temperature of less than 40 degrees fahrenheit. When that body is removed from storage and transported, the body shall reach its final destination within 24 hours following removal from storage. If the body is placed in a metal or metal-lined hermetically sealed container immediately after death, the body may be considered, for the purpose of transport
