1. A. Except as provided in §B of this regulation, a permit holder may not:

   1. (1) Require that human remains be placed in a casket before cremation or that human remains be cremated in a casket;
   2. (2) Refuse to accept human remains for cremation because the remains are not in a casket; or
   3. (3) Refuse to accept human remains for cremation because the remains are in a suitable, combustible wooden casket, but may request the authorizing agent or funeral establishment engaging the services of the permit holder to remove the metal mattress holder in the casket.
2. B. Human remains delivered to a permit holder may not be removed from the cremation container and the cremation container shall be cremated with the human remains unless the authorizing agent for the deceased requests that the human remains be placed in the cremator without enclosure in a cremation container.
3. C. The cremation container shall be cremated with the human remains unless the authorizing agent for the deceased requests a more natural environment for the deceased. A permit holder is not required to accept this manner of disposition.
4. D. A permit holder may not require that human remains be subjected to embalming before cremation.

Authority: Business Regulation Article, §5-204, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 31, 2014 (41:6 Md. R. 378)

Regulation .01 amended effective April 13, 2026 (53:7 Md. R. 327)

Regulation .02 amended effective April 13, 2026 (53:7 Md. R. 327)

Regulation .03 amended effective April 13, 2026 (53:7 Md. R. 327)

Regulation .05 amended effective April 13, 2026 (53:7 Md. R. 327)

Regulation .06 amended effective April 13, 2026 (53:7 Md. R. 327)

Regulation .07 amended effective April 13, 2026 (53:7 Md. R. 327)

Regulation .08 amended effective April 13, 2026 (53:7 Md. R. 327)

Regulation .09 amended effective April 13, 2026 (53:7 Md. R. 327)

Regulation .10 amended effective April 13, 2026 (53:7 Md. R. 327)

Regulation .11 amended effective April 13, 2026 (53:7 Md. R. 327)

Regulation .12B amended effective April 13, 2026 (53:7 Md. R. 327)