Sec. 716.155. TEMPORARY CONTAINER OR URN

(a) A crematory establishment shall place the cremated remains with proper identification in a temporary container or urn unless otherwise instructed in writing by the authorizing agent.

(b) The crematory establishment may not commingle the cremated remains with other cremated remains or include any other object or material in the temporary container or urn unless authorized in writing by the authorizing agent unless otherwise provided by this chapter.

(c) A crematory establishment shall place a label on a temporary container that:

(1) discloses the temporary container is not intended for the permanent storage of cremated remains in a niche, crypt, cremation interment container, or interment space;

(2) includes the deceased person's name; and

(3) includes the name of the crematory establishment.

(d) A crematory establishment shall release all cremated remains to an authorizing agent, a representative delegated as provided by Section 716.053, or an employee of the funeral establishment if the authorizing agent authorized the release on the authorization form. Any cremated remains that do not fit in a temporary container or urn must be returned to the authorizing agent, representative, or employee in a separate temporary container that meets the requirements of this section.

(e) A crematory establishment may ship cremated remains only by a method with an internal tracking system that provides a receipt signed by the person accepting delivery. The outside of the container in which the cremated remains are placed for shipment must display a label that includes:

(1) the deceased person's name;

(2) the name of the crematory establishment; and

(3) a warning that the container is temporary, if a temporary container is used.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 178, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.