32-1382. Funeral establishment requirements; responsible funeral director

A. A funeral establishment licensed pursuant to this article shall:

1. Provide separate rooms for each of the following:

(a) An area inside the establishment that may be used as a chapel for conducting funeral services.

(b) A preparation room meeting minimum requirements adopted by the board that is maintained at all times in a sanitary and professional manner, with sanitary flooring, drainage and ventilation and that is equipped with instruments and supplies necessary for the protection of the health and safety of the public and employees of the establishment in connection with the preparation and embalming of dead human bodies. Nothing prohibits the embalming of a body at a central location.

(c) A display area for displaying funeral goods or the display of funeral goods by photograph or electronic means.

2. Provide access to hearses or funeral coaches that are properly equipped for the transportation of dead human bodies and that are kept in a sanitary and professional manner.

3. Employ and designate a responsible funeral director to manage and supervise the daily operation of the funeral establishment. The responsible funeral director is responsible for the funeral establishment complying with the laws of this state and the rules of the board. The establishment or the responsible funeral director shall designate a licensed funeral director to act as an interim responsible funeral director.

B. All employees of a funeral establishment who handle dead human bodies shall use universal precautions and shall exercise reasonable care to minimize the risk of transmitting any communicable disease from a dead human body.