South Carolina § 32-8-345 - Crematory authority or licensed funeral establishments responsibility for the final disposition of the cremated remains.

§ 32-8-345. Crematory authority or licensed funeral establishments responsibility for the final disposition of the cremated remains.

(A) The agent or a licensed funeral establishment or crematory authority is responsible for the final disposition of the cremated remains.

(B) Cremated remains may be disposed of by placing in a grave, crypt, niche, by scattering them in a scattering area, or in any manner on the private property of a consenting owner. If cremated remains are disposed of on public lands or water, all state and federal laws apply.

(C) Upon completion of the cremation process, if the crematory authority has not been instructed to arrange for the mailing, interment, inurnment, or scattering of the cremated remains, the crematory authority shall deliver in person or mail the cremated remains accompanied by the cremation certificate to the designee specified on the cremation authorization form. If no designee is specified, the cremated remains must be delivered in person or mailed to the decedent's agent. The cremated remains must be delivered in person or delivered to the United States Post Office or to a bonded licensed courier service to be sent by registered and return receipt requested mail. Upon receipt of the cremated remains accompanied by a photocopy of the Burial Transit Permit and Cremation Certificate, the individual receiving them may transport and dispose of them in any manner in accordance with this section. After delivery in person or to the United States Post Office or to a bonded, licensed courier service, the crematory authority is discharged from any legal obligation or liability concerning the cremated remains.

(D) If after a period of sixty days from the date of cremation the decedent's agent has not instructed the funeral establishment or crematory authority to arrange for final disposition of the cremated remains or claimed the cremated remains, the funeral establishment or crematory authority may dispose of the cremated remains in any manner permitted by this section. The funeral establishment or crematory authority shall keep a permanent record identifying the site of final disposition. The agent is responsible for reimbursing all expenses incurred in disposing of the cremated remains. Upon disposing the cremated remains, the funeral establishment or crematory authority is discharged from any legal obligation or liability concerning the cremated remains. A funeral establishment or crematory authority in possession of remains cremated before July 1, 1994, may dispose of them in accordance with this section.

(E) Except with the express written permission of the decedent's agent, no person may:

(1) dispose of cremated remains in a manner or in a location so that the cremated remains are commingled with those of another. This does not apply to the scattering of cremated remains at sea, by air, or in an area located in a dedicated cemetery and used exclusively for the purpose of disposing of cremated remains;

(2) place cremated remains of more than one person in the same temporary container or urn.

HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 435, SECTION 1.