New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
He - Department of Health and Human Services
Subtitle He-P - Former Division of Public Health Services
Chapter He-P 700 - CREMATORIES
Part He-P 701 - CREMATORY REGULATIONS
Section He-P 701.02 - Definitions

(a) "Authorizing agent(s) " means the person(s) who orders the cremation of human remains, including but not limited to family member(s) or funeral director(s) in charge of the final disposition arrangements.

(b) "Change of ownership" means the change in the controlling interest of an established crematory.

(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the New Hampshire department of health and human services, or his or her designee.

(d) "Communicable disease" means "communicable disease" as defined by RSA 141-C:2, VI.

(e) "Cremains container" means any container in which cremains can be placed in and sealed so to avoid leakage or prevent entrance of foreign materials.

(f) "Cremains" means the remaining bone fragments and residue, which are reduced in size by mechanical means.

(g) "Cremation" means the incineration by direct flames or intense heat to reduce the human remains to ashes or inorganic bone fragments.

(h) "Cremation chamber or cremation retort" means the enclosed space in which the cremation process of human remains takes place.

(i) "Crematory" means any person, partnership or corporation that performs cremation subject to RSA 325-A.

(j) "Department" means the department of health and human services, state of New Hampshire.

(k) "Designated agent" means the individual authorized to have custody and control of the human remains pursuant to RSA 290:17.

(l) "Funeral director" means "funeral director" as defined in RSA 325:1, VIII and licensed in accordance with RSA 325:14.

(m) "Holding facility" means an area within the crematory, separate from public areas, designated for the retention of human remains prior to cremation.

(n) "Human remains" means the dead human body prior to cremation.

(o) "Leak proof pouch" means a plastic, vinyl, or similar material bag that is made specifically for the containment of human remains.

(p) "Next-of-kin" means "next-of-kin" as defined in RSA 290:16, IV.

(q) "Operator" means the individual responsible for the day-to-day operation of the crematory.

(r) "Owner" means the individual, partnership or corporation with controlling interest in the crematory.

(s) "Suitable solid container" means a rigid container, which is designed for the encasement and disposition of human remains before cremation.

(t) "Urn" means a decorative container used for placement of cremains that varies in size, styling and composition.

(u) "Violations against a decedent" means actions that desecrate or tamper with the human remain or personal effects, lead to the misidentification of a decedent, or allow the commingling of cremains of more than one decedent.