RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 332 (SB 187) 2023 Regular Session Kleinpeter
Existing law provides that if the cremation of a body is requested, the funeral director shall
immediately notify the coroner who has jurisdiction in the death.
New law retains existing law.
Existing law provides that the coroner shall issue a permit for cremation if, after the
necessary investigation, he is satisfied that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding
the death.
Existing law provides that the coroner shall deny the permit if the investigation reveals
suspicious circumstances or the reasonable probability of the commission of a crime.
Prior law provided that the coroner may issue a permit for cremation after completion of his
investigation.
New law specifies that the permit for cremation shall be denied until the post mortem
examination and evidence collection is complete.
New law requires the coroner, upon completion of his post mortem examination and
evidence collection, to release the body to the family or friends for disposition in accordance
with existing law.
New law provides that when the coroner cannot release the body within 30 days of death, the
coroner is required to notify in writing the person or persons with the right to dispose of
human remains the reasons for any delay in release of the body.
Effective August 1, 2023.
(Amends R.S. 13:5716)