1. A. On completion of the cremation or the alkaline hydrolysis, insofar as is possible:

   1. (1) All of the recoverable residue of the cremation or the alkaline hydrolysis process shall be:

      1. (a) Removed from the cremator or the alkaline hydrolysis unit;
      2. (b) Except for medical devices remaining after cremation or alkaline hydrolysis, pulverized; and
      3. (c) Placed in a sealable container; and

   2. (2) The identification disc required by Health Occupations Article, §7-411, Annotated Code of Maryland, shall be:

      1. (a) Removed from the cremator or the alkaline hydrolysis unit; and
      2. (b) Placed in the sealable container with the processed human remains.
2. B. Medical devices which remain after the completion of the cremation or the alkaline hydrolysis process shall be treated as medical waste and disposed of accordingly.
3. C. After pulverization, all of the processed human remains, together with the identification disc, shall be placed in a sealable container.
4. D. If the sealable container opening is not of adequate dimensions to accommodate a disc, it shall be affixed to the exterior of the sealable container and a record of the cremation number shall be placed in the sealable container.
5. E. If all of the processed human remains and the identification disc will not fit within the dimensions of a sealable container, the remainder of the remains shall be returned to the authorizing agent, or the agent’s representative, in a separate, sealable container. Container seams shall be taped.
6. F. If the processed human remains and identification disc do not adequately fill the container’s interior dimensions, the extra space may be filled with packing material that will not become intermingled with the remains and then securely closed.

7. G. If a sealable container is to be shipped, it shall:

   1. (1) Be placed within a separate sturdy box with all box seams securely taped closed; and
   2. (2) Have the name of the deceased person whose processed remains are contained therein clearly identified on the outside of the container.
8. H. If processed human remains have been in the possession of a permit holder, as originally authorized by the authorizing agent without instructions for disposition for a period of 10 days or more from the date of cremation or alkaline hydrolysis, the permit holder may send the processed human remains, using the current mailing standard approved by the U.S. Postal Service, return receipt requested, to the authorizing agent.

9. I. Veteran and Eligible Dependent Decedents.

   1. (1) Unless the authorizing agent directs otherwise, if a permit holder in possession of processed remains of a decedent veteran or a decedent eligible dependent, the permit holder shall provide the decedent’s identifying information to a veterans service organization, as defined in Business Regulation Article, §5-803, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   2. (2) The veterans service organization will notify the permit holder whether the decedent is a veteran or an eligible dependent eligible for burial in a veterans cemetery.
   3. (3) If the unclaimed processed remains are those of a veteran or an eligible dependent, the permit holder may transfer the processed remains to a veterans service organization for the purpose of disposition of the processed remains.

   4. (4) If a veterans service organization does not take possession of unclaimed processed remains that qualify for a plot in a State veterans cemetery under State Government Article, §9-906, Annotated Code of Maryland, within 10 days after the permit holder receives the notification required in this regulation, the permit holder shall:

      1. (a) Notify the Department of Veterans and Military Families of the status of the processed remains for the purpose of the appropriate disposition of the processed remains; and
      2. (b) Transfer the processed remains to the Department of Veterans and Military Families for the purpose of the appropriate disposition of the processed remains.

Authority: Health-General Article, §§5-502—5-504, 5-508, and 5-511—5-514; Health Occupations Article, §§7-101, 7-102, and 7-205, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: April 14, 2014 (41:7 Md. R. 421)

Chapter revised effective May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 413)