All bodies received by the anatomical board shall be retained in receiving vaults for a period of not less than 48 hours before allowing their use for medical science; if at any time more bodies are made available to the anatomical board than can be used for medical science under its jurisdiction, or if a body shall be deemed by the anatomical board to be unfit for anatomical purposes, the anatomical board may notify, in writing, the county commissioners or the person or entity in control of such body in the county where such person died, to cause it to be buried or cremated in accordance with the already existing rules, laws and practices for disposing of such unclaimed bodies within the confines of the said county. However, prior to having any body buried or cremated, the county shall make a reasonable effort to determine the identity of the body and shall further make a reasonable effort to contact any relatives of the deceased person. If a relative of the deceased person is contacted and expresses a preference for either burial or cremation, the county shall make a reasonable effort to accommodate the request of the relative. For purposes of this section, the county commissioners of the county where such person died shall be considered a "legally authorized person" pursuant to s. 470.002(18). A person licensed under chapter 470 shall not be liable for any damages resulting from cremating such body at the direction of the county commission.

History.--s. 8, ch. 28163, 1953; ss. 15, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 72-40; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 2, ch. 91-168; s. 2, ch. 96-251.