Ariz. Admin. Code § 4-12-311

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section R4-12-311 - Minimum Embalming Requirements

A. Embalmers and apprentice embalmers shall comply with the following minimum embalming procedures when embalming human remains:

1. All persons participating in the embalming procedure shall be either a licensed embalmer or a registered apprentice embalmer. Apprentice embalmers shall be under the direct supervision of a licensed embalmer during the embalming. "Direct supervision," as used in this subsection, means that the licensed embalmer shall at all times be immediately available on the funeral establishment premises to supervise the apprentice embalmer, except that if the apprentice embalmer has embalmed at least ten adult human remains and has been registered with the Board for a minimum of six months, the super-vision requirement is deemed to have been met if the apprentice has immediate access to and is performing according to the directions of a licensed embalmer.

2. Regulations of the Arizona Department of Health Services and of county health departments pertaining to sewage, sanitation and public health requirements shall be observed.

3. All persons engaged in the embalming process shall wear a clean smock or gown and wear impervious rubber gloves.

4. All clothing shall be removed from the remains and a visual inspection of the condition of the remains shall be conducted.

5. To the extent feasible under the circumstances, the entire remains, including all extremities (legs, arms, feet, hands and head) shall be washed with an antiseptic or detergent solution.

6. To the extent feasible under the circumstances, the arterial injection technique shall be used in the embalming process. If the arterial circulation of any portion of the remains is materially incomplete or impaired due to advanced decomposition or autopsy, then the embalming may be done by hypodermically injecting those areas.

7. Embalming solution shall be injected into the entire remains, including extremities (legs, arms, feet, hands and head), and shall be injected in such dilutions and pressures as warranted by the condition of the remains in accordance with prevailing professional practice.

8. The abdominal and thoracic cavities of the remains shall be injected with a concentrated cavity chemical after liquids and materials have been substantially removed through a trocar. The cavity chemical shall be injected into and thoroughly distributed in such cavities in accordance with prevailing professional practice.

9. If the body is to be viewed at a funeral service, cosmetic procedures should be employed in accordance with the wishes of the family and prevailing professional practice.

10. Within 24 hours after the embalming procedure, an embalming case report shall be prepared describing the elapsed time since death, condition of the remains before and after embalming, and embalming procedures used.

11. After embalming procedures have been completed, the remains shall be covered and diligent effort shall be made to maintain the privacy of the remains.

B. The care and preparation for burial or other disposition of human remains shall be strictly private and no one shall be allowed in the embalming room while a dead human body is being embalmed, except licensees or other authorized employees of the establishment, instructors of the science of embalming and their students, public officials in the discharge of their duties or other persons having the legal right to be present.

C. Each funeral establishment and responsible funeral director shall adopt and implement adequate procedures concerning the supervision of embalming personnel to assure compliance with this rule.

D. Failure to substantially comply with the minimum embalming standards contained in this rule shall be deemed to be evidence of gross negligence, repeated or continuing negligence or other professional incompetence.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R4-12-311

Adopted effective June 16.1981 (Supp. 81-3).