Definitions found in Section 40-19-20 apply to this chapter.

1. (A) “Supervision” means protective oversight, including review, timely quality control, and inspection to assist the supervisee in preparing for practice and strengthening the skills of the supervisee. When the apprentice is assisting with funeral directing activities or embalming activities, direct supervision is required.
2. (B) “Continuing education” means an organized educational program designed to expand a licensee’s knowledge base beyond the basic entry level educational requirements.
3. (C) “Contact hour” means a minimum of fifty (50) minutes of instruction.
4. (D) “Direct supervision” means the supervising licensee is present on the premises and readily available.
5. (E) “Full-Time Employee” means a person whose work schedule requires that the employee be present a minimum of thirty-five (35) hours per week for the entire normal year of operation.
6. (F) “Cremains” or cremated remains, means the remains of a cremated human body recovered after the completion of a cremation, as provided for in Section 32-8-305(8), South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended.
7. (G) “Crematory” means a facility equipped with a gas retort or an alkaline hydrolysis chamber specifically designed for use in the cremation of human remains.
8. (H) “Cremation Casket” means a casket specifically designed for holding, viewing, transporting human remains and must meet the requirements listed in item (H) below.

9. (I) “Alternative container” means a receptacle, other than a casket, in which human remains are transported to a crematory and placed in a retort for cremation. An alternative container or cremation casket must be:

   1. (1) composed of readily combustible materials suitable for cremation;
   2. (2) resistant to leakage or spillage;
   3. (3) rigid enough for handling with ease;
   4. (4) able to provide protection for the health, safety, and personal integrity of crematory personnel.
10. (J) “Alkaline hydrolysis” means the technical process that reduces human remains, as defined in Section 32-8-305(22), South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended, to cremated remains using heat, water, and chemical agents.
11. (K) “Alkaline hydrolysis chamber” means the enclosed vessel within which the alkaline hydrolysis process takes place.
12. (L) “Retort” or “cremation chamber” means the gas-fired chamber within which cremation by heat and flame takes place.

HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 23, Issue No. 5, eff May 28, 1999. Amended by State Register Volume 34, Issue No. 4, eff April 23, 2010; State Register Volume 37, Issue No. 6, eff June 28, 2013; SCSR 46-5 Doc. No. 5037, eff May 27, 2022; SCSR 49-5 Doc. No. 5335, eff May 23, 2025.