Final Arrangements of the Deceased
To limit the risk to the public from the disposal and management of deceased persons the Public Health Unit Environmental Health team are involved in regulating a number of activities including the following:
The removal of human remains from a grave or crypt for the purpose of relocation to another burial site requires approval by delegation from the Secretary of Health. Environmental health officers attend the procedure to ensure that the correct remains are exhumed and other conditions are observed to protect the health of the public.
Funeral directors requesting that the remains of a deceased person be transported overseas require authorisation from the Public Health Unit to confirm that these bodies are free from diseases that may pose a risk to public health.
NSW Health maintains a register of Mortuaries within the State. Officers may conduct audits of funeral businesses and facilities for handling bodies in response to complaints or issues raised. Audits may include inspection of cleaning procedures, waste disposal, viewing areas, storage of bodies and cremation paperwork.
Information on the funeral industry regulations and requirements is available on the NSW Health website.
Ferson, M.J., Johnson, R. and Cains, T. Cremation and the medical practitioner. Med J Aust, 2023. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.51824
To contact the Environmental Health team email us or phone (02) 9382 8333 during business hours.