Bill > SB146

This bill modifies several existing laws related to cremation and death certification procedures in New Hampshire. The bill removes the requirement for medical examiners to physically view a deceased body before cremation, instead mandating that they conduct a personal inquiry into the cause and manner of death. The legislation changes the process for obtaining cremation permits by allowing crematory operators, funeral directors, next of kin, or designated agents to present a death certificate and burial permit to a medical examiner to obtain a cremation certificate. Additionally, the bill eliminates the requirement that the person determining the cause of death must have viewed the deceased within 24 hours after death, instead focusing on the accuracy of the cause of death determination. The bill allows for more flexibility in who can certify a death due to natural causes, including associates, department chairs, hospital officers, or on-duty physicians. These changes are intended to streamline the death certification and cremation processes while potentially reducing government expenditures related to travel and body viewings. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, and the Department of Justice estimates it could reduce General Fund expenditures by $100,000 to $500,000 annually.

Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=1140&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=SB146