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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 8Pt. 3Ch. 2Art. 5§ 8344 Crematory Identification Requirements

§ 8344 Crematory Identification Requirements

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 8344 Crematory Identification Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •Crematories must track and label human remains from start to finish to avoid mix-ups.
  • •After cremation, a special tag with the crematory's license number and a unique ID must be placed in the urn (unless it's too small).
  • •Crematories must have written rules for how they identify remains and show them if asked by officials.
  • •If a crematory doesn’t provide these rules when asked, they get 15 days to fix it or their license can be suspended.

Example

A family picks up their loved one's ashes from a crematory.

The crematory must have a tag inside the urn with their license number and a special ID to prove it’s the right person’s ashes. If they don’t have this system, they could lose their license.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8344 Crematory Identification Requirements

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.)

Last verified: January 24, 2026

Key Terms

identificationlicensereleasecremationfuneral bureau

Related Statutes

  • § 8343 Cremation Record Requirements
  • § 8376 Hydrolysis Facility Identification Requirements
  • § 8393 Decedent Identification In Reduction
  • § 8344.5 Cremation Of Human Remains
  • § 8344.6 Flag Cremation Records

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 8344.
View Official Source