MS HB1547

Prohibits cremation of a body unless the county medical examiner certifies investigation of the cause and manner of death and approves the cremation.

Requires any person with knowledge that a body may be cremated to promptly notify the county medical examiner of the county where death occurred.

Allows county medical examiners to charge a fee for cremation certification, paid in the same manner as reasonable expenses of burial or cremation.

Prohibits licensed funeral establishments from cremating a body without certification from the county medical examiner and requires them to notify the examiner if authorization is not yet received.

Takes effect July 1, 2020.