A crematory shall maintain an identification system allowing identification of each decedent beginning from the time the crematory accepts delivery of human remains until the point at which it releases the cremated remains to a third party. After cremation, an identifying disk, tab, or other permanent label shall be placed within the urn or cremated remains container before the cremated remains are released from the crematory. Each identification disk, tab, or label shall contain the license number of the crematory and shall have a unique number that shall be recorded on all paperwork regarding the decedent’s case and in the crematory log. Each crematory shall maintain a written procedure for identification of remains. The identification requirements pertaining to an identifying disk, tab, or other label to be placed within the urn or cremated remains container shall not apply to cremated remains placed in a keepsake urn pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 7054.6 if space does not permit.

On or after March 1, 1994, any crematory that fails, when requested by an official of the bureau to produce a written procedure for identification of remains, shall have 15 working days from the time of the request to produce an identification procedure for review by the chief of the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau. The license of the crematory shall be suspended pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, if no identification procedure is produced for review after 15 working days have elapsed.

(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 415, Sec. 35. (SB 1491) Effective January 1, 2011.)