Disposal of the Deceased
The Public Health Act 1991 and Public Health (Disposal of Bodies) Regulation 2002 regulates the handling of bodies both by funeral industry professionals and by members of the public. The regulation expresses rules rather than explaining how the deceased are to be disposed. The regulations control:
- premises and facilities for handling bodies
- waste disposal
- handling of bodies including embalming, viewing, the use of body bags and storage of bodies
- restriction of burials
- exhumations
- crematories and cremations; and
- maintenance of registers
Following are the relevant legislation guidelines, medical referee information for processing cremation applications, approved cremation forms, and guidelines for exhumations.