W. Va. Code R. § 6-2-15

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 37, September 13, 2024
Section 6-2-15 - Identification of a Dead Human Body
15.1. A crematory shall develop, implement, and maintain a written procedure for identification and tracking of a dead human body and cremated remains whereby the dead human body or cremated remains can be identified from the time the crematory accepts delivery of the body until the cremated remains are released to an authorized representative. This procedure shall include:
15.1.1. the assignment of a reference number to the decedent, which number shall be written on all paperwork and shall be designed to reasonably ensure that the proper body is cremated and that the cremated remains are returned to the appropriate authorized representative.
15.1.2. tagging the body at the time of delivery with the name and social security number of the decedent and the reference number prescribed in subsection 15.1.1. of this section. The temporary tag shall remain on the body until the body is placed in the cremation chamber, at which time the crematory operator shall remove this tag and place it on or adjacent to the cremation unit. The crematory operator shall place this tag with the cremated remains upon removing the cremated remains from the cremation chamber. The crematory operator may replace this tag with the identification disk, tag, or label prescribed in subsection 15.2. of this section after processing the cremated remains in the mechanical processor.
15.2. After cremation, the crematory shall place within the cremated remains container an identifying disk, tab or other permanent label before the cremated remains are released from the crematory.
15.2.1. The identification disk, tag, or label shall;
15.2.1.a be made of durable, noncorroding materials;
15.2.1.b. contain the name of decedent; and
15.2.1.c. contain a reference number that the crematory shall record on all paperwork regarding the decedent.
15.3. A crematory operator shall closely supervise a dead human body to ensure that the body is not misplaced, tagged incorrectly, or mishandled in any other manner.
15.4. Upon delivery of a deceased human body to the crematory, the crematory shall inspect the remains for identification. If the crematory finds that no documentation exists, the crematory operator shall contact the person who released the body to the crematory to inform him or her of the error. The crematory shall not be responsible for correcting the error, except that the authorized representative should confirm the identity of the deceased person, if possible or feasible.
15.5. If the crematory retrieves a deceased human body from a family residence or similar living quarters in which it would be inappropriate to tag the body out of respect of the family members or other residents, the crematory may place the identification documents on the body upon arrival at the crematory.
15.6. The crematory shall report their own identification errors to the Board within five (5) business days. The crematory which received the body from another institution which made the error shall not be responsible for reporting the error.

W. Va. Code R. § 6-2-15