1. A. Privacy. Entrances and exterior windows of the reduction facility shall be maintained at all times to secure privacy, including:

   1. (1) Doors shall be tight closing and rigid;
   2. (2) Windows shall be covered;
   3. (3) Entrances other than to the office or ceremony room shall be marked “private” or “authorized entry only” to preclude entry by unauthorized persons; and
   4. (4) Entrances shall be locked and secured when not actively attended by one or more authorized persons.
2. B. Access. No persons except authorized persons shall be admitted into the holding facility while human remains are being stored and no persons except authorized persons shall be admitted into the area containing vessels for natural organic reduction while the decedents are receiving natural organic reduction. Authorized persons shall enter and remain in the holding facility or vessel area only as necessary to perform or assist with the performance of reduction facility business and operations. On admittance, authorized persons shall comply with all rules of the reduction facility and not infringe upon the privacy and dignity of the remains of decedents.
3. C. Dignity of ceremony room. A reduction facility may have a ceremony room available for viewings and ceremonies. The ceremony room shall be separated from the holding facility. The holding facility interior shall not be visible from the ceremony room. No persons except authorized persons shall be admitted into the ceremony room during the commencement of natural organic reduction.

4. D. Authorized Persons. The following are authorized persons:

   1. (1) Licensed funeral directors, morticians, and enrolled students of mortuary science;
   2. (2) Officers and directors of the reduction facility;
   3. (3) Authorized employees or agents of the reduction facility;
   4. (4) Public officers acting in the discharge of their duties;
   5. (5) Authorized instructors of funeral directing schools;
   6. (6) The person or persons in control of disposition;
   7. (7) Members of the immediate family of the decedent, their authorizing agent and designated representatives; and
   8. (8) Other individuals authorized by the authorizing agent or accompanied by reduction facility staff.

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

Effective date: March 30, 2026 (53:6 Md. R. 287)