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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>59378</law_id><section_number>54.1-2811.1</section_number><catch_line>Handling and storage of human remains</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>54.1-2807.01</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="28">Funeral Services</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="2">Licensure of Funeral Establishments</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Upon taking <span class="dictionary">custody</span> of a dead human body, a <span class="dictionary">funeral service establishment</span> shall maintain such body in a manner that provides complete coverage of the body and that is resistant to leakage or spillage, except during <span class="dictionary">embalming</span> or preparation of an unembalmed body for final <span class="dictionary">disposition</span>; restoration and dressing of a body in preparation for final <span class="dictionary">disposition</span>; and viewing during any visitation and funeral service. <a id="paragraph-217629" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2811.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> If a dead human body is to be stored for more than 48 hours prior to <span class="dictionary">disposition</span>, a funeral services establishment having <span class="dictionary">custody</span> of such body shall ensure that the dead human body is maintained in refrigeration at no more than approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit or embalmed. A dead human body shall be maintained in refrigeration and shall not be embalmed in the absence of express permission by a <span class="dictionary">next of kin</span> of the deceased or a <span class="dictionary">court order</span>. <a id="paragraph-217630" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2811.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> If a dead human body is to be stored for more than 10 days prior to <span class="dictionary">disposition</span> at a location other than a <span class="dictionary">funeral service establishment</span>, the <span class="dictionary">funeral service establishment</span> shall disclose to the <span class="dictionary">contract</span> buyer the location where the body is to be stored and the method of storage. <a id="paragraph-217631" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2811.1/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Funeral services establishments, crematories, or transportation services shall not transport animal remains together with dead human bodies. Further, animal remains shall not be refrigerated in a unit where dead human bodies are being stored. <a id="paragraph-217632" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2811.1/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2010, c. 823.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
