South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-19 - Vital Statistics
Sec2 61-19.900 - DISPOSITION AND TRANSPORTATION OF HUMAN REMAINS
Section 61-19.900.903 - Authorization for Disinterment and Reinterment
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024
A. Except as otherwise provided by statute, a permit for disinterment and reinterment of human remains shall be required prior to disinterment of a dead body or fetus. If the dead body or fetus is being reinterred in the same plot where it was originally interred, a permit shall not be required.
B. A disinterment permit shall be issued only upon receipt of the form prescribed by the State Registrar signed by the next of kin and the person who is to perform the disinterment or upon receipt of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction directing such disinterment. The permit shall be permission for disinterment, transportation, and reinterment. The disinterment must be performed within one (1) year of the date permission was granted by the State Registrar or designee, otherwise the applicant must apply for a new permit. The Department may destroy any copies of permits issued but not returned within one (1) year of the date permission was granted.
C. Human remains deposited in a receiving vault shall not be considered a disinterment when removed from the vault for final disposition.
D. The funeral director to whom the permit is issued shall retain a copy. A copy shall be used during transportation and filed with the sexton or person in charge of the cemetery of reinterment. The funeral director shall return a copy to the Bureau of Vital Statistics showing the date of reinterment.
E. The permit requirement of this section shall not apply to disinterment or reinterment of a dead body or fetus when death occurred before 1915.
F. Certified copies of completed disinterment permits may be issued to any next of kin of the deceased or the firm authorized to perform the disinterment upon receipt of an application and payment for a record search as defined in Section 1300. No other parties shall be issued copies of the completed disinterment permit except upon order from a court of competent jurisdiction.
