Md. Code Regs. 32.02.03.05

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 32.02.03.05 - Prior Approval of the Department

A. A nursing home administrator shall obtain the approval of the Department for the burial and funeral arrangements of an unclaimed deceased nursing home resident before the arrangements may be carried out.

B. The Department will approve a nursing home administrator's proposed arrangements for burial of an unclaimed deceased nursing home resident if:

(1) The proposed arrangements take into account any pre-arrangements or preferences of the deceased resident;

(2) Sufficient funds (including Social Security, VA, or Social Services burial assistance benefits) are available to pay the burial costs; and

(3) The total burial costs would meet one of the following financial criteria:

(a) The total burial costs would not exceed $650, exclusive of cemetery charges, or

(b) If the total costs would exceed $650, exclusive of cemetery charges, the additional costs are reasonably required in order to comply with the deceased resident's burial pre-arrangements or preferences.

C. Upon approval by the Department of the nursing home administrator's proposed arrangements, the Department will issue a certification of approval for burial arrangements to the nursing home administrator. Following the burial, the nursing home administrator shall file with the Department a report of the completed burial arrangements and costs. The report shall be filed on a prescribed form within 10 calendar days after burial.

D. If a nursing home administrator's proposed arrangements are not approved by the Department or the nursing home administrator does not propose to make arrangements for burial of the unclaimed deceased resident, the Department will arrange, with the Anatomy Board when appropriate, for the prompt removal of the body from the nursing home and burial.

E. A nursing home administrator may make the initial report of the required information to the Department by telephone, if necessary to expedite burial of the deceased nursing home resident. Similarly, a request for approval of burial arrangements may be made by telephone.

Md. Code Regs. 32.02.03.05

Regulation .05B amended effective October 31, 1988 (15:22 Md. R. 2559)