These regulations set detailed operational rules for handling, storing, transporting, identifying, interring, cremating (including alkaline hydrolysis) and recording human remains to protect public health and safety. They impose hygiene, vehicle, storage, coffin, tag and record‑keeping standards, require medical attendance and cremation checks, and create inspection, fee and penalty regimes.
They primarily affect medical practitioners, cemetery and crematorium managers, regulated‑business staff, senior next of kin and authorised inspectors — changing procedures, costs and enforcement risk for all involved.
These regulations set out the operational and compliance framework for handling human remains, cemeteries and crematoria under the Burial and Cremation Act 2019. They supply definitions, administrative prescriptions, procedural steps, record-keeping requirements, safety and hygiene duties, and enforcement mechanisms. Mechanically the instrument does the following (selected, source-grounded items):
Defines core terms used across operational rules, including “medical certificate”, “declaration of life extinct”, “identification tag”, “coffin”, and “alkaline hydrolysis” which the regulations expressly prescribe as a means of cremation (regs 3, 54).
Creates an administrative path for the Director of Public Health to give written directions about handling, transport, storage and conduct of regulated businesses and for the Director of Local Government to determine forms and equipment guidelines (regs 4, 10, 11, 59).
Imposes step-by-step duties on who must be notified on discovering a death (reg 5), the duties of medical practitioners and responsible persons attending a death (regs 6-9), and the form, triplication and distribution of a declaration of life extinct (reg 10).
Prescribes identification tag content, attachment points and strict rules for replacement (regs 11-14).
Regulates handling, movement, transport and storage of human remains, including mandatory use of suitable coffins/containers, temperature limits for storage (not exceeding 5°C as soon as practicable), and vehicle standards (regs 15-20).
Requires managers (cemetery, crematorium and regulated businesses) to provide cleaning/disinfection equipment, protective clothing, infection-hazard information to employees and to maintain registers, plans and records (regs 21-24, 39-41, 65).
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Burial and Cremation Regulations 2025.
employee means a person who is employed in a regulated business;
grave means –
(a) an interment plot; or
(b) a vault; or
(c) any other site or structure –
in which human remains are interred;
identification tag means an identification tag referred to in regulation 11 ;
implanted medical device means a medical device, implanted in a person, that may cause an explosion if the body of that person, when deceased, is cremated, and includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(a) a battery;
(b) radioactive material;
(c) a cardiac pacemaker;
manager means a person who, either alone or with others, manages, operates, or is in day-to-day control of, a regulated business;
(b) a notice or certificate that is issued and is in force under a law of the Commonwealth, another State, a Territory, or any other place outside this State, that corresponds to a certificate of the kind referred to in paragraph (a) ;
midwife means a person registered under the Health Practitioners Regulation National Law (Tasmania) in the midwifery profession;
nurse means a registered nurse or an enrolled nurse;
officer of the Ambulance Service means officer of the Ambulance Service as defined in the Ambulance Service Act 1982 ;
proclaimed war means any war or hostilities or special assignment in which any of the naval, military or air forces of the Crown or of the Commonwealth of Australia have been, are, or may be, engaged;
(c) any other person who, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, has the knowledge and skills necessary to determine if –
(i) the person who has been notified as dead is in fact dead; and
(ii) the death is a reportable death;
service or duty includes –
(a) any naval, military or air service in any proclaimed war; and
(b) any special defence undertaking within the meaning of section 6 of the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952 of the Commonwealth; and
(c) any peacetime activities, including any peace-keeping activities; and
(d) any training activities conducted in conditions simulating war or war-like activities;
spouse includes the other party to a significant relationship, within the meaning of the Relationships Act 2003 ;
tray means a tray or table on which human remains are placed before being placed in a coffin;
vault means –
(a) a compartment in a mausoleum; or
(b) a compartment in an underground chamber –
in which human remains are or may be interred;
veteran means a person –
(a) who is, or has been, employed as an officer, or a member, of the naval, military or air forces of –
(i) the Commonwealth of Australia; or
(ii) the Crown or an ally of the Crown; and
(b) who, while so employed, performed a service or duty.
Part 2
Handling of Human Remains
Part 2 Handling of Human Remains
Division 1
Directions in relation to human remains
Division 1 Directions in relation to human remains
4
Directions
4 Directions
(1) If the Director of Public Health considers it in the interests of public health or public safety to do so, the Director, by notice in writing given to a person, may direct that the person is to take any action specified in the notice relating to –
(a) the handling, transportation and storage of human remains; or
(b) the conduct of a regulated business.
(2) A person must comply with a notice given under subregulation (1) .
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(3) If the Director of Public Health considers it in the interests of public health or public safety to do so, the Director, by notice in writing given to a manager, may direct that the manager is to take any action specified in the notice relating to –
(a) appropriate hygiene practices; and
(b) the appropriate handling and disposal of –
(i) medical instruments; and
(ii) infectious material; and
(iii) any other article or thing that may be contaminated; and
(c) the use of aseptic techniques.
(4) A manager must comply with a notice given under subregulation (3) .
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
Division 2
Notification of death
Division 2 Notification of death
5
Notification of death
5 Notification of death
(1) If a person reasonably believes that another person has died, he or she is to notify any of the following persons of that death as soon as practicable:
(a) a police officer;
(b) a medical practitioner;
(c) a nurse;
(d) a midwife;
(e) an officer of the Ambulance Service.
(2) A police officer, nurse, midwife or officer of the Ambulance Service who is notified of a death under subregulation (1) is to notify a medical practitioner of that death as soon as practicable.
6
Action to be taken by medical practitioner after notification of death
6 Action to be taken by medical practitioner after notification of death
(1) A medical practitioner who receives notification of a death under regulation 5(1)(b) or regulation 5(2) is to take one of the following actions within 8 hours after receiving that notification:
(a) attend the place of death;
(b) arrange for another medical practitioner to attend the place of death;
(c) arrange for a responsible person to attend the place of death.
(2) A medical practitioner is not to make an arrangement for a responsible person to attend a place of death under subregulation (1)(c) unless the responsible person is capable of carrying out, and willing to carry out, that arrangement.
(3) Another medical practitioner with whom an arrangement is made under subregulation (1)(b) is to attend the place of death within 8 hours after notification is received under regulation 5 .
(4) A responsible person with whom an arrangement is made under subregulation (1)(c) is to attend the place of death within 8 hours after notification is received under regulation 5 .
7
Action to be taken by medical practitioner after attending place of death
7 Action to be taken by medical practitioner after attending place of death
(1) A medical practitioner who attends a place of death under regulation 6(1)(a) or in accordance with an arrangement under regulation 6(1)(b) is to –
(a) issue a medical certificate, if satisfied that –
(i) the person who has been notified as dead is in fact dead; and
(ii) the death is not a reportable death; and
(iii) an identification tag is attached to the human remains in accordance with regulation 13 ; or
(b) issue a declaration of life extinct, if satisfied that –
(i) the person who has been notified as dead is in fact dead; and
(ii) an identification tag is attached to the human remains in accordance with regulation 13 ; or
(c) notify a police officer or a coroner of the death, if the medical practitioner believes that the death is a reportable death.
(2) On issuing a declaration of life extinct under subregulation (1)(b) , a medical practitioner is to –
(a) issue a medical certificate, if satisfied that the death is not a reportable death; or
(b) specify in the declaration of life extinct the name of another medical practitioner who has agreed to issue a medical certificate.
8
Action to be taken by medical practitioner after receiving duplicate copy of declaration of life extinct
8 Action to be taken by medical practitioner after receiving duplicate copy of declaration of life extinct
After receiving a duplicate copy of a declaration of life extinct under regulation 10(5)(b) , a medical practitioner is to issue a medical certificate.
9
Action to be taken by responsible persons, midwives and police officers after attending place of death
9 Action to be taken by responsible persons, midwives and police officers after attending place of death
(1) A responsible person who attends a place of death under regulation 6(1)(c) is to –
(a) issue a declaration of life extinct if satisfied that –
(i) the person who has been notified as dead is in fact dead; and
(ii) an identification tag is attached to the human remains in accordance with regulation 13 ; or
(b) notify a police officer or a coroner of the death, if the responsible person believes that the death is a reportable death.
(2) A responsible person who issues a declaration of life extinct under subregulation (1) is to specify in that declaration –
(a) the name of the medical practitioner who, in accordance with regulation 6(1)(c) , arranged for that responsible person to attend the place of death; and
(b) the name of the medical practitioner who is to issue a medical certificate in relation to the deceased person to whom the declaration relates.
(3) A nurse, or an officer of the Ambulance Service, who attends a place of death of a person, other than under regulation 6(1)(c) –
(a) if satisfied that –
(i) the person who has been notified as dead is in fact dead; and
(ii) an identification tag is attached to the human remains in accordance with regulation 13 –
is to partially complete the declaration of life extinct in relation to the deceased person by filling out the part of that declaration that indicates that the nurse or officer is satisfied as to the matters referred to in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) ; or
(b) is to notify a police officer or a coroner of the death, if the nurse or officer of the Ambulance Service believes that the death is a reportable death.
(4) A nurse, or an officer of the Ambulance Service, who partially completes a declaration of life extinct under subregulation (3) is, if not intending to complete the declaration under subregulation (5) , to ensure that, before leaving the place of death to which the declaration relates, the nurse or officer provides the declaration to –
(b) a person who will provide the declaration to a person referred to in subregulation (5) for completion by that person under subregulation (5) .
(5) A police officer, a nurse, a midwife, or an officer of the Ambulance Service, who –
(a) attends a place of death, other than under regulation 6(1)(c) , in relation to a deceased person; and
(b) knows the name of the medical practitioner who is to issue a medical certificate in relation to the person –
is to complete the declaration of life extinct, if any, in relation to the deceased person, that has been partially completed under subregulation (3) and is in the possession of the police officer, nurse, midwife or officer of the Ambulance Service, by filling out the part of the declaration that specifies the name of the medical practitioner who is to issue a medical certificate in relation to the person.
(6) When a declaration of life extinct in relation to a deceased person is completed by a person under subregulation (5) , the declaration is taken to have been issued by that person.
Division 3
Declaration of life extinct
Division 3 Declaration of life extinct
10
Form of declaration of life extinct
10 Form of declaration of life extinct
(1) A declaration of life extinct is to be in a form determined by the Director of Local Government.
(2) The Director of Local Government may approve –
(b) a form for a declaration of life extinct for the purposes of regulation 9(3) and (5) .
(3) A form determined by the Director of Local Government in relation to a declaration of life extinct is to provide for the provision of information that, in the interests of public health or public safety, the Director considers appropriate.
(4) The declaration of life extinct is to be issued in triplicate.
(5) The person issuing the declaration of life extinct is to, as soon as practicable –
(a) hand the original copy of the declaration to the person who apparently has custody of the human remains; and
(b) forward the duplicate copy of the declaration to the medical practitioner named in the declaration as the medical practitioner who is to issue a medical certificate; and
(c) forward the triplicate copy of the declaration to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
(6) A person must not complete any part of a declaration of life extinct if that person –
(a) knows that he or she is related to the deceased person; or
(b) has, in the previous 5 years, had a fiduciary relationship with the deceased person; or
(c) has any pecuniary interest in the estate of the deceased person.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
Division 4
Identification of human remains
Division 4 Identification of human remains
11
Form of identification tag
11 Form of identification tag
An identification tag is to be in a form approved by the Director of Local Government.
12
Information to be recorded on identification tag
12 Information to be recorded on identification tag
A medical practitioner or responsible person is to ensure that the following information is written on an identification tag, if the identity of the deceased person is known to the medical practitioner or responsible person, or the medical practitioner or responsible person is otherwise able to confirm the identity of the deceased person:
(a) the full name of the deceased person;
(b) the location of the deceased person at the time the information referred to in paragraph (a) is being written on the identification tag.
13
Attachment of identification tag
13 Attachment of identification tag
A person is to securely attach an identification tag to –
(a) the left arm of the deceased person; or
(b) if compliance with paragraph (a) is not practicable, the right arm of the deceased person; or
(c) if compliance with paragraphs (a) and (b) is not practicable, the left leg of the deceased person; or
(d) if compliance with paragraphs (a) , (b) and (c) is not practicable, the right leg of the deceased person; or
(e) if compliance with paragraphs (a) , (b) , (c) and (d) is not practicable, any other part of the deceased person.
14
Removal and replacement of identification tag
14 Removal and replacement of identification tag
(1) Subject to subregulation (2) , a medical practitioner, a responsible person or a manager may remove and replace an identification tag if –
(a) it is damaged, soiled or contaminated; or
(b) a coroner considers it appropriate to do so.
(2) A medical practitioner, a responsible person or a manager must not remove and replace an identification tag unless –
(a) a witness is present during the removal of the identification tag and its replacement with a new identification tag; and
(b) the new identification tag has written on it –
(i) the identical words written on the original identification tag or, in the absence of sufficient legible words on the original identification tag, the particulars contained in the medical certificate or the declaration of life extinct; and
(ii) the name of the person who removed the original identification tag and the date of the replacement of the identification tag; and
(c) the new identification tag is attached to the human remains before the original identification tag is removed.
(3) A person must not remove an identification tag that is attached to human remains, except in accordance with these regulations.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.
Division 5
Handling, movement, transportation and storage of human remains
Division 5 Handling, movement, transportation and storage of human remains
15
Handling of human remains
15 Handling of human remains
A person who handles, moves, transports or stores human remains must do so –
(a) in a way so as not to be injurious to public health or public safety; and
(b) in a respectful and dignified manner.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
16
Movement of human remains within place or premises
16 Movement of human remains within place or premises
A person must not move human remains within any place or premises before a medical certificate or a declaration of life extinct has been issued in respect of those human remains, unless –
(a) the human remains are causing a risk to public health or public safety; or
(b) the moving is to preserve the security or the dignity of the human remains.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.
17
Transportation of human remains to regulated business
17 Transportation of human remains to regulated business
(1) If a manager is informed that human remains are ready to be transported to a regulated business, the manager is to arrange that transportation –
(a) within 8 hours after receiving that information; or
Transportation of human remains for cremation or interment
18 Transportation of human remains for cremation or interment
(1) A person must not transport human remains to any place or premises to prepare those remains for cremation or interment unless a medical certificate or a declaration of life extinct has been issued in accordance with these regulations.
19 Vehicle used for transportation of human remains
(1) A person who is transporting human remains to any place or premises must place the human remains in a coffin, container, or tray, that is capable of preventing the escape of any bodily discharges, contaminants or infectious materials.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(2) A manager must ensure that any vehicle used to transport human remains is of a standard sufficient to maintain the dignity of the human remains and has either –
(a) a compartment in which the coffin, container or tray is placed which –
(i) is physically separate from the driving and passenger section of the vehicle; and
(ii) has sufficient facilities for securing the coffin, container or tray; and
(iii) is capable of being easily cleaned and disinfected; or
(b) a coffin, container, or tray, in which the human remains are placed –
(i) so as to not allow any bodily discharges, contaminants or infectious materials to escape into the vehicle; and
(ii) that is secured as far as practicable within that vehicle.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
(3) A manager must ensure that any vehicle used to transport human remains is kept in a clean and disinfected state.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
20
Storage of human remains
20 Storage of human remains
(1) If human remains are to be placed into storage, the person responsible for that storage must first place the human remains in a coffin, container, or tray, capable of –
(a) ensuring that the escape of bodily discharges, contaminants or infectious materials is prevented or confined to that coffin, container or tray; and
(b) protecting any person who comes into contact with the coffin, container or tray from bodily discharges, contaminants or infectious materials.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
(2) A person responsible for the storage of human remains must ensure that the human remains, or the storage facility in which the human remains are placed, is brought to, and maintained at, a temperature not exceeding 5°C, as soon as practicable after the custody of the human remains becomes that person's responsibility.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.
Division 6
Cleaning and disinfection of premises and vehicles
Division 6 Cleaning and disinfection of premises and vehicles
21
Manager to ensure premises, &c., are cleaned and disinfected
21 Manager to ensure premises, &c., are cleaned and disinfected
(1) A manager must ensure that any place, premises, or equipment, contaminated with bodily discharges, contaminants or infectious materials is cleaned and disinfected as soon as practicable after the contamination occurs.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
(2) A manager must ensure that appropriate cleaning equipment and materials are –
(a) readily available to clean and disinfect any spillage of bodily discharges, contaminants or infectious materials; and
(b) stored in a place made known to all employees.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
22
Manager to ensure protective clothing and cleaning equipment are made available in vehicles
22 Manager to ensure protective clothing and cleaning equipment are made available in vehicles
A manager must ensure that the following are available in any vehicle used to transport human remains:
(a) suitable quantities of protective clothing for employees;
(b) adequate materials and equipment to clean and disinfect any spillage of bodily discharges, contaminants or infectious materials.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
23
Manager to provide protective clothing to employees
23 Manager to provide protective clothing to employees
A manager must ensure that all employees who may come into contact with human remains or who may work in close proximity to human remains are provided with suitable protective clothing to protect them from contamination by bodily discharges, contaminants or infectious materials.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
24
Manager to provide information on infection hazards to employees
24 Manager to provide information on infection hazards to employees
A manager must ensure that all employees are provided with –
(a) information about all infection hazards that are reasonably foreseeable as arising from, or incidental to, the regulated business; and
(b) full written details of procedures describing safe work practices.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
Division 7
Construction of coffins
Division 7 Construction of coffins
25
Coffin construction
25 Coffin construction
(1) A person arranging for the interment or cremation of human remains must ensure that the coffin used for the interment or cremation is –
(a) impervious, so as to prevent the escape of bodily discharges, contaminants or infectious materials; and
(b) of sufficiently robust construction to enable the coffin and the human remains to be disposed of in accordance with the Act.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
(2) A manager may refuse to accept a coffin for cremation if, in his or her opinion, it is made from, or contains, any material which is likely to –
(a) damage any equipment in the crematorium; or
(b) be injurious to public health or public safety.
26
Nameplate to be attached to coffin
26 Nameplate to be attached to coffin
A person who places human remains in a coffin to be used for an interment or cremation must ensure that the coffin bears an identifying nameplate, inscription, or marking, stating –
(a) the family name; and
(b) at least one given name of the deceased person –
that correspond with the names shown on the identification tag for those human remains.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.
Part 3
Cemeteries
Part 3 Cemeteries
27
Certificate of exclusive right of burial
27 Certificate of exclusive right of burial
(1) Within 30 days after granting an exclusive right of burial under section 41 of the Act, the cemetery manager must issue, in accordance with subregulation (2) , a certificate of exclusive right of burial to the holder of the right.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(2) A certificate of exclusive right of burial is to –
(a) identify the holder of the exclusive right of burial; and
(b) identify the person, persons, or class of persons, entitled to be buried under that exclusive right of burial; and
(c) either –
(i) identify, by number or other identifier, the plot, or the portion of the cemetery, where the human remains are to be interred under the exclusive right of burial; or
(ii) specify how the plot, or the portion of the cemetery, where the human remains are to be interred under the exclusive right of burial, is to be determined; and
(d) specify whether the exclusive right of burial has been granted in fee or for a term of 25 years; and
(e) specify whether the exclusive right of burial may be renewed, cancelled or transferred; and
(f) specify the conditions to which the renewal, cancellation or transfer of the exclusive right of burial, if allowed, is subject.
(3) A certificate of exclusive right of burial may include other terms as agreed between the cemetery manager and the holder of the exclusive right of burial.
(4) A cemetery manager must keep a copy of a certificate of exclusive right of burial issued under this regulation –
(a) until the certificate has expired; or
(b) for a period of 5 years after all persons entitled to be buried under the exclusive right of burial have been buried.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
28
Amendment of certificate of exclusive right of burial
28 Amendment of certificate of exclusive right of burial
(1) A cemetery manager may amend a certificate of exclusive right of burial if the holder of the exclusive right of burial gives written consent to the amendment.
(2) A certificate of exclusive right of burial may be amended by –
(a) marking or endorsing the amendment on that certificate; or
(b) issuing a new certificate of exclusive right of burial that includes the amendment.
29
Cancellation or transfer of exclusive right of burial
29 Cancellation or transfer of exclusive right of burial
A cancellation, or transfer, in accordance with the certificate of exclusive right of burial, of an exclusive right of burial takes effect when the cemetery manager receives notice in writing of the cancellation or transfer.
30
Permission to inter human remains
30 Permission to inter human remains
(1) A person must not inter human remains in a cemetery except with the permission of the cemetery manager.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
(2) A person may apply, in writing, to the cemetery manager for permission to inter human remains in the cemetery.
(3) On the application of a person, a cemetery manager –
(a) may grant, or refuse to grant, permission to inter human remains in the cemetery; and
(b) is to give written notice to the applicant that permission to inter the remains has been granted or has been refused; and
(c) if the cemetery manager refuses to grant permission, is to give reasons for the refusal in writing.
(4) On giving permission to inter human remains in the cemetery, the cemetery manager may place conditions on the interment of the remains.
31
Information required before permitting interment of human remains
31 Information required before permitting interment of human remains
(1) An application under regulation 30(2) is to include the following information:
(a) the full name of the applicant;
(b) the residential or contact address of the applicant;
(c) the full name of the deceased person;
(d) the last place of residence of the deceased person, if known;
(e) the date of birth of the deceased person;
(f) the date of death of the deceased person;
(g) the age of the deceased person at the date of the person’s death;
(h) if known –
(i) whether the deceased person was a veteran; and
(ii) if the deceased person was a veteran, details of the service or duty performed by the person;
(i) any further information that the cemetery manager considers necessary to determine whether to grant the person permission to inter the human remains.
(2) Subject to subregulation (3) , the cemetery manager must obtain the information specified in subregulation (1) before granting a person permission to inter human remains.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
(3) The cemetery manager may grant permission to inter human remains in the cemetery without obtaining all the information required under subregulation (1) if the cemetery manager is satisfied that the applicant has made all reasonable enquiries but has been unable to obtain the information.
32
Authority to make decisions about interment of human remains
32 Authority to make decisions about interment of human remains
(1) The senior next of kin of the deceased person has authority to make any decisions, that the cemetery manager requests the person to make, that are incidental to, or in connection with, the interment of the deceased person's remains, including decisions in relation to the erection of a monument or memorial.
(2) A person other than the senior next of kin of the deceased person may make any of the decisions set out in subregulation (1) if that person has received written consent to do so from the senior next of kin.
33
Nameplate to be interred with human remains
33 Nameplate to be interred with human remains
(1) In this regulation –
approved nameplate means a plate that is –
(a) made of metal, stone, plastic or other durable material; and
(b) engraved, printed, stamped, or otherwise marked, with the family name and at least one given name of the deceased person.
(2) A cemetery manager must ensure that all human remains interred in the cemetery, whether interred in the ground, in a vault or otherwise, are interred with an approved nameplate that –
(a) in the case of human remains interred in a coffin, is affixed to the coffin; or
(b) in the case of human remains interred without a coffin, is placed on top of the remains; or
(c) in the case of a vault, is placed on the exterior of the vault.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
34
Interment of human remains in the ground
34 Interment of human remains in the ground
(1) A cemetery manager must ensure that all human remains interred in the cemetery, otherwise than in a vault, are interred –
(a) so that the remains are completely covered by soil that is at least one metre deep at its shallowest point; or
(b) if it is not possible to inter the remains as required by paragraph (a) – so that the remains are completely covered by –
(i) at least a 50 millimetre thick layer of stone, concrete or similar durable material placed directly over the remains; and
(ii) soil that is at least 500 millimetres deep at its shallowest point; or
(c) in another manner approved by the Director of Public Health.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
(2) The cemetery manager must ensure that the manner of interment utilised under subregulation (1) is not one which is prejudicial to public health or public safety.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
35
Interment of human remains in a vault
35 Interment of human remains in a vault
(1) In this regulation –
above-ground vault means a compartment in a mausoleum in which human remains are or may be interred;
arterially embalmed means the process of introducing preservative fluid to bodily tissue of human remains by means of an injection into, or through, the circulatory system.
(2) A cemetery manager must ensure that human remains interred in an above-ground vault are –
(a) arterially embalmed; and
(b) interred in a manner that –
(i) prevents the escape of bodily fluids or odour from the vault; and
(ii) ensures that the human remains are secure against unauthorised access; and
(iii) ensures that the human remains are secure against insects and vermin.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
36
Closing grave after interment
36 Closing grave after interment
A cemetery manager must ensure that –
(a) an open grave is closed as soon as practicable after the interment; and
(b) once an open grave has been closed, it is secured against unauthorised access at all times.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
37
Re-interment of human remains
37 Re-interment of human remains
The re-interment of human remains is taken to be an original interment of the human remains for the purposes of these regulations.
38
Defence to offence under this Division
38 Defence to offence under this Division
(1) It is a defence in proceedings for an offence under this Division if the cemetery manager proves that another person agreed, in writing, to inter the human remains in accordance with this Division.
(2) A person who has agreed in writing to inter human remains in accordance with this Division may be convicted of an offence under this Division as if he or she were the cemetery manager.
39
Plan of cemetery
39 Plan of cemetery
(1) A cemetery manager must keep a plan of the cemetery that shows –
(a) the location of each grave; and
(b) each plot or portion of the cemetery set aside in respect of an exclusive right of burial.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(2) As soon as practicable after a certificate of exclusive right of burial identifies, by number or other identifier, the plot at which, or a portion of the cemetery in which, human remains are to be interred under that exclusive right of burial, the cemetery manager must identify that plot or portion in the plan of the cemetery with that number or other identifier.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(3) A cemetery manager must provide to any person, at the person's request, reasonable access to the plan of the cemetery for inspection.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
40
Register of interments
40 Register of interments
(1) For the purposes of section 34(4) of the Act, a cemetery manager must keep a register of interments containing –
(a) the following particulars in relation to each interment in the cemetery:
(i) the name of the deceased person;
(ii) the last place of residence of the deceased person, if known;
(iii) the age of the deceased person at the date of the person’s, if known;
(iv) the date of birth of the deceased person, if known;
(v) whether the deceased person was a veteran, if known;
(vi) the date of cremation, if any, of the deceased person;
(vii) the date on which the interment occurred;
(viii) the number or other identifier of the grave; and
(b) the following particulars in relation to each exhumation of human remains conducted in the cemetery:
(i) the name of the deceased person;
(ii) the date on which the exhumation was conducted;
(iii) the authority under which the exhumation was conducted.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(2) A cemetery manager must provide to any person, at the person's request, reasonable access to the interment register for inspection.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
41
Register of exclusive rights of burial
41 Register of exclusive rights of burial
(1) In this regulation –
closed entry means an entry in the register that is not an open entry;
open entry means an entry in the register in respect of an exclusive right of burial if –
(a) all persons entitled to be buried under that exclusive right of burial have been buried; or
(b) the exclusive right of burial has expired;
register means the register of exclusive rights of burial kept under subregulation (2) .
(2) A cemetery manager must keep a register of all exclusive rights of burial granted for the cemetery.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(3) For each exclusive right of burial granted for the cemetery, the cemetery manager must ensure that the following details are entered in the register:
(a) the name of the person holding the exclusive right of burial;
(b) the name of all persons entitled to be buried under the exclusive right of burial, where known;
(c) if appropriate, a description of all classes of persons entitled to be buried under the exclusive right of burial;
(d) the number or other identifier of each plot in the cemetery, or portion of the cemetery, in respect of which the exclusive right of burial has been granted.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(4) The following persons are entitled to inspect a closed entry in the register at any reasonable time:
(a) an authorised officer;
(b) a person who is –
(i) the holder of the exclusive right of burial in respect of which the entry in the register was made; or
(ii) a person with authority to act on behalf of that holder;
(c) a person entitled to be buried under the exclusive right of burial in respect of which the entry in the register was made.
(5) A cemetery manager must not allow a person to inspect a closed entry if the person is not specified in subregulation (4) .
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(6) A cemetery manager must ensure that an open entry in the register is available for inspection, by a member of the public, at all reasonable times.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
42
Dangerous driving
42 Dangerous driving
(1) A person must not drive a motor vehicle in a cemetery –
(a) in a dangerous or careless manner; or
(b) without reasonable consideration for others.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
(2) A person who is in charge of a motor vehicle in a cemetery must comply with –
(a) any reasonable directions as to the driving or parking of the motor vehicle given to the person by the cemetery manager or a person authorised by the cemetery manager to give such directions; and
(b) any traffic control sign erected by the cemetery manager or a person authorised by the cemetery manager to erect such a sign.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
43
Prohibited activities
43 Prohibited activities
(1) A person must not –
(a) remove, damage, deface or otherwise interfere with any building, monument, memorial or other fixture or structure in a cemetery; or
(b) damage, deface or otherwise interfere with any part of the grounds of a cemetery, including any plants, flowers or tokens; or
(c) remove any plants or flowers that are growing in a cemetery; or
(d) in any manner, hinder or disturb the performance in a cemetery of any religious or cultural ceremony relating to the interment of human remains; or
(e) without the approval of the cemetery manager, sell any thing in a cemetery; or
(f) without the approval of the cemetery manager, carry on, promote or advertise a trade, profession or business in a cemetery; or
(g) commit any breach of the peace or nuisance, or otherwise behave in an offensive manner, in a cemetery.
Power of cemetery manager in relation to graves and plots
44 Power of cemetery manager in relation to graves and plots
(1) A cemetery manager may –
(a) remove from a grave or plot in the cemetery any broken masonry, decayed or broken wreath or dead flowers, or any other object, which, in the opinion of the cemetery manager, detracts from the overall appearance of the cemetery; and
(b) prune or cut down any plant on, or remove any plant from, a grave or plot in the cemetery, if the cemetery manager is of the opinion that it is necessary to do so for the purposes of maintenance of the cemetery.
(2) For the purposes of section 34(1) of the Act, a cemetery manager may remove from a grave or plot in the cemetery any object that the cemetery manager believes may be prejudicial to public health or public safety.
(3) The removal of an object under subregulation (2) must be done in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Act and these regulations, if any.
45
Power of cemetery manager to approve permanent items
45 Power of cemetery manager to approve permanent items
(1) A cemetery manager may approve an item, or a class of items, that may be permanently affixed to, or next to, a grave or plot in a cemetery.
(2) A person must not permanently affix an item to, or next to, a grave or plot in a cemetery unless the cemetery manager has approved the affixing of that item.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.
46
Power of cemetery manager to remove persons
46 Power of cemetery manager to remove persons
(1) A cemetery manager may require a person to leave the cemetery and not re-enter the cemetery for a period of not more than 24 hours determined by the cemetery manager if the cemetery manager –
(a) has reason to suspect that the person has committed, is committing or is about to commit an offence in the cemetery; or
(b) is of the opinion that the person is behaving in a manner that is, or may be, offensive to other visitors to the cemetery.
(2) A person must comply with a requirement of a cemetery manager under subregulation (1) .
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.
(3) If a person refuses to leave the cemetery, or re-enters or attempts to re-enter the cemetery, in contravention of a requirement of a cemetery manager under subregulation (1) , the cemetery manager may remove, or prevent the re-entry of, the person and in doing so may be assisted by a police officer.
(4) A cemetery manager exercising a power under subregulation (3) , and a police officer assisting the manager in the exercise of that power, may use such reasonable force as is necessary to remove or prevent the re-entry of the person into the cemetery.
47
Duty of cemetery manager on removal of monument
47 Duty of cemetery manager on removal of monument
unlisted cemetery means a cemetery not entered on the Heritage Register.
(2) If a cemetery manager of an unlisted cemetery proposes to take down and remove a monument without notice under section 40(5) of the Act, and in his or her opinion it is safe to do so, the manager is to take the following photographs of the monument before taking it down:
(a) one photograph showing only the monument and its architectural detail;
(b) one photograph showing the monument and its location in relation to –
(i) any surrounding monuments or graves; or
(ii) if there are no surrounding monuments or graves – the area surrounding the monument to a radius of approximately 5 metres from the monument.
(3) If a cemetery manager has taken down and removed a monument without notice under section 40(5) of the Act and without taking the photographs referred to in subregulation (2) , the manager must take 2 photographs as follows:
(a) one photograph showing only the architectural detail of the monument after its removal or, if the monument has been demolished, any significant pieces of the monument that show the architectural detail;
(b) the other photograph showing the site where the monument was located, including –
(i) any surrounding monuments or graves; or
(ii) if there are no surrounding monuments or graves – the area surrounding the site to a radius of approximately 5 metres from the site.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(4) Within 14 days after taking down and removing a monument without notice under section 40(5) of the Act, a cemetery manager must provide the Heritage Council with –
(a) written notice of that taking down or removal which contains the following particulars, if available:
(i) the name of the deceased person recorded on the monument;
(ii) the date of death of the deceased person recorded on the monument;
(iii) the number or other identifier of the grave; and
(2) For the purposes of a section of the Act to which this regulation applies, a notice under that section is published in the prescribed manner if –
(a) the notice is published –
(i) in a daily newspaper or newspapers approved by the Regulator; and
(ii) in the general, or public notice or equivalent, section of the newspaper; and
(b) the font used in the notice is not smaller than the standard font used by the newspaper; and
(c) the notice does not use spacing that is smaller than the standard spacing used by the newspaper; and
(d) the notice contains a heading, in bold text, that specifies –
(i) if the notice is made under section 45(4) , that the notice relates to the approval of a new cemetery; or
(ii) if the notice is made under section 52(1)(a) , that the notice relates to the proposed sale of a cemetery; or
(iii) if the notice is made under section 61(c) , that the notice relates to the sale and transfer of a cemetery; or
(iv) if the notice is made under section 64(2)(d) , that the notice relates to the closure of a cemetery; or
(v) if the notice is made under section 68(3)(a) , that the notice relates to the approval to take certain actions in a closed cemetery; or
(vi) if the notice is made under section 70(1)(a) , that the notice relates to the demolition or removal of a grave, monument or vault, or the exhumation and removal of human remains in or from a closed cemetery; or
(vii) if the notice is made under section 71(3)(a) , that the notice relates to the reduction of certain time frames in respect of a closed cemetery.
49
Prescribed information for certain notices relating to cemeteries
49 Prescribed information for certain notices relating to cemeteries
(1) For the purposes of section 45(4) of the Act, the following information is prescribed in respect of a notice under that section:
(a) the name of, and address for, the new cemetery to which the notice relates;
(b) the name and contact details of the cemetery manager for the new cemetery to which the notice relates;
(c) the date from which human remains may be interred at the new cemetery.
(2) For the purposes of section 52(2)(a) of the Act, if a notice under that section relates to a portion of a cemetery, the contact information for a person who can identify if a particular grave, monument or interment is in that portion is prescribed as information to be contained in the notice.
(3) For the purposes of section 61(c) of the Act, the following information is prescribed in respect of a notice under that section:
(a) the name of, and address for, the cemetery to which the notice relates;
(b) the name and contact details of the new cemetery manager for the cemetery to which the notice relates;
(c) if the arrangements in respect of access to the cemetery, to which the notice relates, are to change under the new cemetery manager, details of those changes or details of how a member of the public may inspect a copy of those changes.
(4) For the purposes of section 64(2)(a) of the Act, the date on which a cemetery, or a portion of a cemetery, to which a notice under that section relates, is proposed to be closed under the Act is prescribed information.
50
Manner of identification of cemeteries in certain circumstances
50 Manner of identification of cemeteries in certain circumstances
(1) This regulation applies in respect of the following sections of the Act:
(2) For the purposes of a section of the Act to which this regulation applies, a cemetery, or portion of a cemetery, is identified in the prescribed manner in a notice under that section if the notice includes –
(a) the name of the cemetery; and
(b) the full address for the location of the cemetery; and
(c) if the name and address of the cemetery is not clear and unambiguous, a description and image of a map of the cemetery that clearly specifies the cemetery to be identified; and
(d) if a portion of the cemetery is to be identified, a description and a map of the cemetery that clearly specifies the portion of the cemetery to be identified.
51
Manner of notification to certain holders of exclusive rights of burial or monuments
51 Manner of notification to certain holders of exclusive rights of burial or monuments
For the purposes of section 64(2)(a) of the Act, the holder of an exclusive right of burial or an exclusive right to a monument is notified, under that section, in the prescribed manner if the cemetery manager gives the holder the notification in writing.
52
Manner of audit of cemeteries
52 Manner of audit of cemeteries
For the purposes of section 53 of the Act, an audit of a cemetery is undertaken in the prescribed manner if the audit is performed –
(a) if the regulator requests a formal audit, by an auditor who –
(i) is a member of a recognised professional body for auditors; and
(ii) does not have a conflict of interest in respect of the cemetery or the cemetery manager for the cemetery; or
(b) if the regulator requests a self-audit, by the cemetery manager in accordance with the request of the regulator.
(a) St Mary’s Church, located at 65 Church Lane in Hagley;
(b) St John the Baptist Church, located at Bridge Hotel Road in Ouse.
Part 4
Cremation
Part 4 Cremation
54
Prescribed means of cremation
54 Prescribed means of cremation
For the purposes of the definition of cremation in section 3(1) of the Act, alkaline hydrolysis is a prescribed means.
55
Applications for cremation permits
55 Applications for cremation permits
(1) The senior next of kin of a deceased person may apply, in writing, to a medical practitioner for a permit authorising the cremation of the deceased person.
(2) The application for a cremation permit is to –
(a) include the following particulars:
(i) the full name of the applicant;
(ii) the residential address of the applicant;
(iii) a declaration that the applicant is the senior next of kin of the deceased person;
(iv) the full name of the deceased person;
(v) the last place of residence of the deceased person;
(vi) the date of death of the deceased person;
(vii) the age of the deceased person at the date of the person’s death;
(viii) if known, the name and address of the usual medical practitioner who attended the deceased person before the person’s death;
(ix) if known, whether the deceased person had an implanted medical device;
(x) the business name and address of the crematorium where the deceased person is to be cremated; and
(b) be accompanied by a copy of the medical certificate given in respect of the deceased person.
56
Medical practitioners to refuse certain applications
56 Medical practitioners to refuse certain applications
A medical practitioner must not accept an application for a cremation permit, or grant the application and issue a cremation permit in respect of a deceased person, if the medical practitioner –
(a) is the senior next of kin of the deceased person; or
(b) is related by marriage to, or is the spouse of, a person who is the senior next of kin of the deceased person; or
(c) is a partner, or an employee, of the medical practitioner who issued the medical certificate in respect of the deceased person; or
(d) was, immediately before the death of the deceased person, a partner or an employee of the deceased person; or
(e) is a relative of the medical practitioner who issued the medical certificate in respect of the deceased person; or
(f) has already issued a medical certificate in respect of the deceased person; or
(g) has a pecuniary interest in the estate of the deceased person.
57
Consideration of applications for cremation permits
57 Consideration of applications for cremation permits
In considering an application for a cremation permit, a medical practitioner may –
(a) with the consent of the senior next of kin, obtain any medical records relating to the deceased person referred to in the application for a cremation permit; and
(b) allow other medical practitioners access to those medical records; and
(c) make any inquiries that the medical practitioner considers necessary to the practitioner’s consideration of the application for a cremation permit.
58
Grant and issue of cremation permits
58 Grant and issue of cremation permits
(1) After considering an application for a cremation permit under regulation 57 , and subject to this regulation, a medical practitioner may –
(a) grant the application; or
(b) refuse to grant the application.
(2) A medical practitioner must grant an application for a cremation permit, if, after having examined the deceased person to whom the application relates, the medical practitioner is satisfied –
(a) that a medical certificate has been given in respect of the deceased person; and
(b) as to the accuracy of the cause of death stated in that medical certificate; and
(c) that the death is not a reportable death; and
(d) that any implanted medical device of which the medical practitioner is aware has been removed from the deceased person.
(3) A medical practitioner must refuse to grant an application for a cremation permit unless the medical practitioner –
(a) has examined the deceased person to whom the cremation permit application relates; and
(b) is satisfied as to the accuracy of the matters referred to in subregulation (2) .
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(4) If a medical practitioner refuses, in accordance with subregulation (3) , to grant an application for a cremation permit, the medical practitioner must –
(a) report the death of the person, to whom the application for the cremation permit relates, to a coroner or a police officer in accordance with section 19 of theCoroners Act 1995 ; and
(b) notify the refusal to the senior next of kin referred to in the application for the cremation permit.
(5) If a medical practitioner grants an application for a cremation permit in accordance with subregulation (2) , the medical practitioner is to issue a cremation permit to the senior next of kin referred to in the application.
(6) A cremation permit is to be in a form approved by the Director of Local Government.
59
Approval of equipment
59 Approval of equipment
(1) A crematorium manager must not operate a crematorium, or permit a crematorium to be operated, unless the crematorium equipment complies with any guidelines issued by the Director of Local Government under subregulation (2) .
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(2) The Director of Local Government may, by notice in the Gazette, issue guidelines in respect of equipment used in crematoriums.
(1) A crematorium manager must not cremate a deceased person unless the crematorium manager is satisfied, in accordance with subregulation (2) , that the deceased person is correctly identified.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(2) For subregulation (1) , a crematorium manager may be satisfied as to the correct identity of a deceased person if –
(a) there is no discrepancy between the identity of the deceased person –
(i) as shown on the cremation permit or coroner's certificate issued in respect of the deceased person; and
(ii) as shown on the identifying nameplate, inscription or marking attached to the outside of the coffin containing the deceased person; and
(b) the coffin containing the deceased person has come from the premises of a regulated business; and
(c) the coffin containing the deceased person does not appear to have been opened after leaving the premises of a regulated business.
(3) A crematorium manager must refuse to accept a deceased person for cremation if the documentation required under these regulations is incomplete or does not comply with these regulations.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
61
Security of deceased persons
61 Security of deceased persons
(1) A crematorium manager must ensure that no person opens a coffin containing a deceased person for cremation that has been received by the manager for cremation, unless the opening of the coffin is authorised by –
(a) the crematorium manager; or
(b) the medical practitioner who issued the cremation permit in respect of the deceased person; or
(c) a person authorised to do so in accordance with an order of a coroner.
(2) A crematorium manager may require a coffin, authorised to be opened under subregulation (1) , to be –
(a) removed from the crematorium for the purpose of the authorised opening; or
(b) taken to the premises of a regulated business for the purpose of the authorised opening.
(3) A crematorium manager must ensure that any coffin containing a deceased person for cremation is –
(a) stored in a secure place; and
(b) appropriately identified at all times.
62
Cremated remains to be kept separately
62 Cremated remains to be kept separately
A crematorium manager is to ensure that the cremated remains of a deceased person, recovered from the cremator, are kept separately from the cremated remains of other deceased persons recovered from the cremator.
63
Storage of cremated remains
63 Storage of cremated remains
Until the cremated remains of a deceased person are dealt with under regulation 64(1) or (3) , a crematorium manager must ensure that the cremated remains –
(a) are stored in an appropriate container; and
(b) are clearly identified; and
(c) are stored in a secure place.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.
64
Retention and disposal of cremated remains
64 Retention and disposal of cremated remains
(1) A crematorium manager, or manager of a regulated business, who has custody of the cremated remains of a deceased person must deal with the cremated remains in accordance with any reasonable instructions given to the manager by the senior next of kin of the deceased person.
(2) A crematorium manager or manager of a regulated business must retain the cremated remains of a deceased person if –
(a) no instructions, as to the collection or disposal of the cremated remains, are given to the manager by the senior next of kin of the deceased person; or
(b) the instructions, as to the collection or disposal of the cremated remains, given to the manager by the senior next of kin of the deceased person are not reasonable; or
(c) the cremated remains are not collected by the senior next of kin of the deceased person.
(3) A crematorium manager or manager of a regulated business may dispose of the cremated remains of a deceased person if –
(a) the crematorium manager or manager of a regulated business has, despite all reasonable efforts, been unable to contact the senior next of kin of the deceased person; and
(b) a period of 2 years has elapsed from the date of the cremation of the deceased person.
65
Prescribed records
65 Prescribed records
(1) For section 76(2) of the Act, the prescribed records that a crematorium manager must keep for all cremations in a crematorium and for all monuments maintained on the premises are –
(a) in the case of a cremation on the authority of a cremation permit, the cremation permit; and
(b) in the case of a cremation on the authority of a coroner's certificate, the coroner's certificate; and
(c) in all cases –
(i) the full name and address of the person who applied for the cremation to be conducted; and
(ii) the date of the cremation; and
(iii) the information recorded in the register in accordance with subregulation (2) .
(2) A crematorium manager must ensure that –
(a) each cremation is recorded in a register as soon as practicable after the cremation has taken place; and
(b) the disposal or interment of cremated remains is recorded in a register as soon as practicable after the cremated remains have been interred or otherwise disposed of.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.
Part 5
Powers of Authorised Officers to Collect Evidence
Part 5 Powers of Authorised Officers to Collect Evidence
66
Collection of evidence
66 Collection of evidence
(1) For determining if the Act (including these regulations) has been, or is being, contravened, an authorised officer who enters any crematorium, cemetery, place or premises, referred to in section 16(1) of the Act, may do any or all of the following:
(a) search the crematorium, cemetery, place or premises;
(b) require any person to produce any records, documents or other things for inspection by the authorised officer;
(c) take extracts from, or make copies of, those records or documents;
(d) take samples of those things for analysis;
(e) take into the crematorium, cemetery, place or premises, referred to in section 16(1) of the Act, any equipment or material reasonably necessary for the purpose of the authorised officer exercising a power under the Act or these regulations;
(f) require any person to give the authorised officer any reasonable assistance that the authorised officer may require.
(2) If an authorised officer has a reasonable belief that the Act, including these regulations, has been, or is being, contravened, the authorised officer may seize any records, documents or other things relevant to the contravention.
(3) An authorised officer in the exercise or performance of a power or function under the Act or these regulations, or another person assisting an authorised officer under these regulations, must not unnecessarily impede or obstruct the work carried out in a crematorium, cemetery, place or premises, referred to in section 16(1) of the Act.
67
Obstruction of authorised officers
67 Obstruction of authorised officers
(1) A person must not impede or obstruct an authorised officer in the exercise or performance of a power or function under the Act or these regulations or another person assisting an authorised officer under these regulations.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(2) A person must not –
(a) fail to comply with a lawful request or requirement of an authorised officer or another person assisting an authorised officer; or
(b) fail to produce to an authorised officer, or another person assisting an authorised officer, any record, document or other thing in the person's possession or under the person’s control, when the person has been required by the authorised officer or other person to produce it under these regulations; or
(c) fail to give any reasonable assistance to an authorised officer, or another person assisting an authorised officer, when required to do so by the authorised officer.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
68
False or misleading statements
68 False or misleading statements
A person must not, in giving any information under these regulations –
(a) make a statement knowing it to be false or misleading; or
(b) omit any matter from a statement, knowing that without that matter the statement is false or misleading; or
(c) provide a document that the person knows to be false or misleading without informing the person to whom the document is provided of that knowledge.
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
69
Retention of records, &c., by authorised officers
69 Retention of records, &c., by authorised officers
(1) An authorised officer may retain a record, document or other thing seized under these regulations –
(a) for the purpose of investigating if the Act or these regulations have been, or are being, contravened and, if required, for the purposes of any subsequent prosecution; or
(2) A person otherwise entitled to possession of a record or document retained by an authorised officer under these regulations is entitled to be provided at his or her request with a copy of that record, or document, certified by the authorised officer to be a true copy.
(3) A certified copy of a record or document referred to in subregulation (2) is to be received in all courts and elsewhere as if it were the original record or document.
Part 6
Miscellaneous
Part 6 Miscellaneous
70
Prescribed person may enter cemeteries and crematoria
70 Prescribed person may enter cemeteries and crematoria
(1) The following persons may enter, at any reasonable time, a cemetery or crematorium, for the purpose of determining if the Act (including these regulations) has been, or is being, complied with:
(a) the Director of Local Government;
(b) an authorised officer.
(2) In addition to subregulation (1) , the regulator may enter a cemetery, at any time, for the purpose of determining if the Act (including these regulations) has been, or is being, complied with.
(3) A person who enters a cemetery or crematorium under this regulation, for the purpose of determining if the Act (including these regulations) has been, or is being, complied with, may do any one or more of the following measures:
(a) search the crematorium or cemetery;
(b) require a person to produce any records, documents or other things for inspection;
(c) take extracts from, or make copies of, those records or documents;
(d) take into the crematorium or cemetery any equipment or material reasonably necessary for the purpose of undertaking a measure specified in this regulation;
(e) require a person to give the person entering the cemetery or crematorium under this regulation any assistance that the person so entering requires;
(f) if the person has a reasonable belief that the Act (including these regulations) has been, or is being, contravened, seize any records, documents, samples or other things relevant to the contravention.
71
Medical practitioner fees
71 Medical practitioner fees
A medical practitioner who attends a place of death of a deceased person in accordance with these regulations is entitled to claim from the estate of the deceased person a fee for that attendance as if a medical certificate or a declaration of life extinct had not been issued in respect of that deceased person.
72
Fees generally
72 Fees generally
For the purposes of the Act, the fees specified in Schedule 1 are prescribed for the matters to which they respectively relate.
(a) an offence against a provision specified in column 2 of the table in Schedule 2 is prescribed as an infringement notice offence; and
(b) the penalty specified in column 3 of the table in Schedule 2 is prescribed as the penalty payable in respect of an individual for the relevant offence specified in column 2 of that table; and
(c) the penalty specified in column 4 of the table in Schedule 2 is prescribed as the penalty payable in respect of a body corporate for the relevant offence specified in column 2 of that table.
| | Description | Fee units |
| 1. | Application under section 32 to be the cemetery manager for a cemetery | 120 |
| 2. | Application under section 44 for approval to establish a new cemetery | 60 |
| 3. | Application under section 54 for a certificate of compliance | 120 |
| 4. | Application under section 64 for approval to close a cemetery | 120 |
| 5. | Application under section 71 to reduce certain time frames | 80 |
These regulations are administered in the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Source text: opening excerpt
Sourced from Tasmanian Legislation Online (legislation.tas.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
Part 1 Preliminary
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Short title
1 Short title
These regulations may be cited as the Burial and Cremation Regulations 2025 .
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
These regulations take effect on 27 May 2025.
3 Interpretation
3 Interpretation
In these regulations –
Act means the Burial and Cremation Act 2019 ;
alkaline hydrolysis means a process in which human remains –
(a) are placed in a solution of water and alkali in a pressurised chamber; and
(b) are heated, in that chamber, to a temperature that causes the human remains to be reduced to a sterile liquid and bones;
authorised officer means an authorised officer as defined in section 3(1) of the Act;
bodily discharges includes blood, gas and bodily waste;
certificate of exclusive right of burial means a certificate issued under regulation 27 ;
coffin means a box, case, or other receptacle, designed for, and into which, human remains are placed for storage, movement, cremation or interment;
container means a container, bag, or other receptacle, into which human remains are placed for storage or movement;
coroner has the same meaning as in the Coroners Act 1995 ;
coroner’s certificate means a certificate issued by a coroner in accordance with section 32 of the ;
Sets technical constraints for interment: minimum soil cover or approved alternatives, vault requirements including arterial embalming for above-ground vaults, and rules for nameplates (regs 33-36).
Establishes procedures for cremation permits, who may apply (senior next of kin), the medical practitioner’s duties and conflict-of-interest prohibitions, and crematorium managers’ duties regarding identity, security and separation of cremated remains (regs 54-64).
Grants authorised officers and specified persons broad evidence-collection and entry powers including seizure and retention of records for enforcement and coronial investigation co-operation (regs 66-70).
Prescribes fees and lists a schedule of infringement notice offences with penalty unit amounts (regs 72-73; Scheds 1-2).
The instrument repeatedly frames actions in terms of “in the interests of public health or public safety” (e.g. reg 4), so many powers and duties are expressed with that policy-oriented purpose. Where the regulations give decision-makers discretion (for example in granting interment permission, placing conditions on interments, approving permanent items, or issuing equipment guidelines), they often couple that discretion with duties to record or communicate decisions to affected persons (see regs 30-31, 45, 59). The rules also allocate operational costs and duties: managers and crematorium managers carry most of the day-to-day compliance burden (cleaning, PPE, vehicle standards, record-keeping), medical practitioners have gatekeeping duties on cremation permits (regs 55-58), and estates can be charged fees and medical practitioners may claim fees from the estate for attendance (regs 71, Sched 1).
Regulatory instruments and cross-references are embedded throughout: the regulations directly invoke other statutes (Coroners Act 1995, Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1999, Public Health Act 1997, Local Government Act 1993, End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Act 2021) in defining terms and exceptions (reg 3, regs 18(2), 58(4)). The Director of Local Government and Director of Public Health are given roles in forms and guidelines (regs 10, 11, 59), and the regulator, authorised officers and specified persons may enter and inspect cemeteries and crematoria (reg 70). The regulations commenced 27 May 2025 and were notified in the Gazette on 16 April 2025 (regs 2; footer).
Main concepts
The regulations centre on a discrete set of operational concepts that structure the legal obligations for deaths, handling remains, burial, interment rights and cremation.
Definitions and gatekeeping:
Medical certificate and declaration of life extinct: the medical certificate concept is drawn directly from the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1999 and a declaration of life extinct is a distinct instrument that must be in a Director of Local Government form and issued in triplicate (reg 3; reg 10(1), (4)). Medical practitioners and responsible persons have defined roles in issuing those documents (regs 6-9).
Identification tag: a standard, Director-of-Local-Government-approved tag must be attached to remains, with prescribed content if identity is known and rules for replacing damaged tags (regs 11-14).
Cremation permit: a separate administrative permit, applied for by the senior next of kin to a medical practitioner and subject to a medical practitioner’s independent examination and conflict-of-interest rules (regs 55-58).
Exclusive right of burial: cemetery managers must issue certificates for exclusive rights within 30 days and keep records (reg 27).
Hygiene, safety and dignity:
Public health is the expressed touchstone for many discretionary powers. The Director of Public Health may issue written notices directing action relating to handling, transport and storage, and to conduct of regulated businesses (reg 4).
Managers must make available PPE, cleaning materials, provide written procedures for infection hazards, disinfect premises and vehicles, and ensure appropriate storage temperature (regs 21-24; reg 20(2); reg 22).
Coffins and containers are required to be impervious and robust; managers can refuse coffins likely to damage crematorium equipment (regs 25-26).
Cemeteries and interment structure:
Permission to inter rests with the cemetery manager, who may impose conditions and must collect specified applicant and deceased information before granting permission (regs 30-32, 31(1)).
Interment technical standards are set: ground interments require a minimum depth or specified alternative (reg 34); above-ground vaults require arterial embalming and measures to prevent fluid escape and unauthorised access (reg 35).
Cemetery managers must maintain a plan of the cemetery and registers of interments and exclusive rights of burial, and provide public access rules for open entries and limited access for closed entries (regs 39-41).
Cremation:
The regulations explicitly list alkaline hydrolysis as a prescribed means of cremation (reg 54).
Cremation permits and coronial certificates are the documents authorising cremation; medical practitioners must refuse cremation permit applications in multiple conflict situations (reg 56) and must verify cause-of-death accuracy and removal of known implanted medical devices before issuing a permit (reg 58(2)(b),(d)).
Crematorium managers must ensure correct identification, security and separate storage/handling of cremated remains, and maintain prescribed records (regs 60-65).
Enforcement:
Authorised officers have express powers to enter, search, seize, copy and retain records and take samples relevant to contraventions (reg 66). Obstruction, false statements and failure to assist are penalised (regs 67-68).
A schedule prescribes many infringement notice offences and penalty units (reg 73; Schedule 2).
These concepts are intended to align administrative process (forms, triplication, evidence retention), operational hygiene and safety (PPE, disinfection, storage temperatures), property and commercial arrangements (exclusive rights, certificates, cemetery manager approvals), and investigatory safeguards for coronial processes (exceptions for coronial investigation, coroner’s certificates and coroner authorisations) into a single regulatory architecture.
Who it affects
The regulatory burdens and decision space created by these regulations fall on a defined set of actors. The text names them and allocates duties, powers and liabilities.
Primary operational actors
Cemetery managers: charged with issuing certificates of exclusive right of burial within 30 days (reg 27), keeping plans and registers (regs 39-41), deciding permission to inter and placing conditions (regs 30-31), closing graves, removing objects detrimental to maintenance, approving permanent items (regs 33-36, 44-45), enforcing conduct in cemeteries, and notifying specified bodies if monuments are removed (reg 47). Cemetery managers also face penalties for many breaches (see Schedule 2).
Crematorium managers: required to ensure equipment complies with Director-issued guidelines (reg 59), verify identity before cremation and refuse incomplete documentation (reg 60), secure coffins and keep cremated remains separate and properly stored (regs 61-63), retain and record prescribed cremation records (reg 65).
Managers of regulated businesses generally: subject to Director of Public Health directions (reg 4), responsible for transport arrangements to the regulated business within specified timeframes (reg 17), vehicle standards and cleanliness (reg 19), storage temperature obligations (reg 20), provision of PPE and cleaning equipment for employees (regs 22-23), and provision of infection hazard information and safe work practice documentation (reg 24).
Medical and emergency practitioners
Medical practitioners: the regulations give them a central gatekeeping role for death certification, declarations of life extinct, and the grant of cremation permits (regs 6-8, 55-58). They must attend within 8 hours or arrange attendance (reg 6), examine deceased for cremation permit applications (reg 58(3)), and are prohibited from accepting or granting a cremation permit where conflicts of interest exist (reg 56).
Responsible persons: a nurse, officer of the Ambulance Service, or other person deemed capable by a medical practitioner (reg 3), who may issue declarations of life extinct and must follow the identification tag rules when doing so (reg 9).
Nurses, midwives and ambulance officers: are first notification points and have limited duties to partially complete declarations or notify police/coroner (regs 5, 9).
Families and estates
Senior next of kin: sits as the applicant for cremation permits (reg 55), the person whose instructions crematoriums and regulated businesses must follow for cremated remains (reg 64(1)), and is central to decision-making about interment (reg 32).
Holders of exclusive right of burial: receive certificates and may have rights to transfer or renew as specified in certificates (reg 27).
Regulators and public officials
Director of Public Health: can direct persons to take actions in the interests of public health or safety relating to handling, transportation and storage, and conduct of regulated businesses (reg 4).
Director of Local Government: sets forms for declarations of life extinct and identification tag forms and may issue equipment guidelines for crematoria (regs 10, 11, 59(2)).
Authorised officers and the Regulator: have powers to enter cemeteries and crematoria, require records and seize evidence (regs 66, 70).
Other affected parties
Funeral directors and transporters: responsibilities for timely transport to regulated businesses, vehicle standards, and use of appropriate coffins/containers (regs 17-19).
Employees of regulated businesses: must be provided with PPE and information about infection hazards by managers (regs 22-24).
Estates: liable for fees prescribed in Schedule 1 and for payment of medical practitioner attendance fees (reg 71; reg 72; Sched 1).
Who pays and who decides
Payment: fees in Schedule 1 are prescribed for a range of administrative applications (reg 72; Sched 1). Medical practitioner attendance fees may be claimed from the estate as if a medical certificate or declaration had not been issued (reg 71).
Decision-makers: medical practitioners make clinical determinations and decide on cremation permits; cemetery managers control interment permissions and cemetery conduct; Directors set forms and may issue guidelines and public-health-directed notices; authorised officers and the regulator enforce and audit compliance.
The allocation is concrete: managers and regulated businesses carry the recurring compliance costs (equipment, PPE, records), medical practitioners have document and gatekeeping responsibilities that carry potential penalty exposure (reg 58(3) penalty up to 20 penalty units), and estates bear prescribed administrative fees (Sched 1).
Key duties and rights
The regulations impose specific duties and create rights across multiple actors. The obligations are often prescriptive with specified penalties for non-compliance.
Notification, medical practitioner and declaration duties
Immediate notification of suspected death: any person who reasonably believes another has died must notify a police officer, medical practitioner, nurse, midwife or officer of the Ambulance Service as soon as practicable (reg 5(1)). Police, nurses, midwives and ambulance officers notified must notify a medical practitioner (reg 5(2)).
Medical practitioner response and action: medical practitioners who receive notification must attend, arrange attendance by another medical practitioner, or arrange for a responsible person to attend within 8 hours (reg 6(1)). After attendance, the medical practitioner must issue a medical certificate if satisfied the person is dead, death is not reportable, and an identification tag is attached (reg 7(1)(a)); or issue a declaration of life extinct (reg 7(1)(b)); or notify a police officer or coroner if the death appears reportable (reg 7(1)(c)). Reg 8 requires issuance of a medical certificate upon receipt of a duplicate declaration of life extinct.
Declaration form and distribution: declarations of life extinct must be in a Director of Local Government form, issued in triplicate and originals given to the person with custody, duplicates forwarded to the nominated medical practitioner and triplicates to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages (reg 10(1), (4), (5)). A person must not complete a declaration if related or having had recent fiduciary relationship or pecuniary interest in the deceased (reg 10(6)).
Identification and tagging duties
Identification tags: must be in a form approved by the Director of Local Government (reg 11). If the deceased’s identity is known or can be confirmed, the tag must carry full name and location at time of tagging (reg 12). Tags must be attached to specific body locations in hierarchical order (left arm; right arm; left leg; right leg; any other part) (reg 13).
Replacement of tags: removal and replacement permitted where tag is damaged or a coroner requires it, but only in the presence of a witness, with the new tag carrying identical particulars or deriving particulars from the medical certificate, and with the new tag attached before the original is removed (reg 14(1)-(2)). Unauthorized removal is penalised (reg 14(3)).
Handling, transport, storage, hygiene and PPE duties
Handling and dignity: persons handling remains must do so in a manner that is not injurious to public health or safety and is respectful and dignified (reg 15).
Movement restrictions: remains must not be moved within premises before a medical certificate or declaration of life extinct unless to prevent public health risk or to preserve security/dignity (reg 16).
Transport to regulated business: managers must arrange transport within 8 hours of being informed remains are ready, unless stored in accordance with reg 20 (reg 17). Transport for cremation/interment requires prior medical certificate or declaration (reg 18(1)), with an exception for potential coronial investigations (reg 18(2)).
Vehicle standards and coffins: remains must be placed in containers able to prevent escape of bodily discharges (reg 19(1)); managers must ensure vehicles separate compartments or otherwise secure and cleanable arrangements (reg 19(2)-(3)).
Storage temperature and containment: stored remains must be in suitable containers preventing escape of contamination and maintained at a temperature not exceeding 5°C as soon as practicable after custody transfer (reg 20(1)-(2)).
Cleaning and PPE: managers must ensure contamination is cleaned and disinfected as soon as practicable and appropriate cleaning equipment is available and known to employees. Vehicles must carry suitable protective clothing and cleaning equipment; managers must provide protective clothing to employees and information about infection hazards and written safe work procedures (regs 21-24).
Cemetery and interment duties and rights
Exclusive right certificates: cemetery managers must issue certificates within 30 days and retain copies until expiry or for five years after all entitled persons are buried (reg 27(1), (4)). Certificates must include specific elements (holder, persons entitled, plot identifier or method of determination, fee or 25-year term, renewal/transfer/cancellation terms) (reg 27(2)).
Permission to inter and information requirements: interment requires cemetery manager permission (reg 30(1)). Applications must provide detailed applicant and deceased particulars and managers should obtain this information before granting permission, subject to a “reasonable enquiries” exception (reg 31).
Interment technical duties: cemetery managers must ensure interments meet burial depth or approved alternative and must ensure above-ground vaults are arterially embalmed and sealed/secure (regs 34-35). Open graves must be closed as soon as practicable and secured (reg 36).
Cremation duties and records
Cremation permits: senior next of kin may apply for permits; medical practitioners must not accept applications in conflict situations (reg 56) and must examine remains and be satisfied of cause-of-death accuracy, non-reportability and removal of known implanted medical devices before granting and issuing a permit (reg 58(2)-(3)). If refusing, the medical practitioner must report the death to coroner/police and notify the senior next of kin (reg 58(4)).
Crematorium manager duties: ensure equipment complies with Director-issued guidelines (reg 59), verify correct identification and refuse cremation where documentation incomplete (reg 60), secure any coffin and restrict openings unless authorised (reg 61), keep cremated remains separate and appropriately stored and identified (regs 62-63), retain records and record disposals/interments (reg 65).
Enforcement rights and obligations
Authorised officers: may enter, search, require production of records and seize relevant items if they reasonably believe contraventions exist; they must not unnecessarily impede crematorium/cemetery work (reg 66). Persons must not obstruct authorised officers, must produce documents and give assistance if required (reg 67). False or misleading information given under the regulations is an offence (reg 68). Seized records may be retained for investigations and copies certified by authorised officers are admissible as originals (reg 69).
Fees and infringement notices
Prescribed fees for specific applications are listed in Schedule 1 and medical practitioner fees may be claimed from the estate (regs 71-72; Sched 1).
Schedule 2 lists a large set of infringement notice offences and prescribes penalty units for individuals and body corporates (reg 73; Sched 2).
Collectively the duties establish a compliance regime with defined documentation and technical standards, meaning the daily operational choices of cemetery and crematorium managers and medical practitioners are constrained by prescriptive steps, timeframes and record-keeping obligations.
Penalties and enforcement
The regulations use a mix of criminal penalties, infringement notices and administrative inspection/seizure powers. Penalty levels are expressed as penalty units in the regulations and the Schedule to the Act, with many specific maximum fines attached to individual regulations.
Criminal and regulatory penalties
Many regulations attach maximum fines expressed as “Fine not exceeding X penalty units”. Examples include:
Direction non-compliance under reg 4(2) and 4(4): up to 20 penalty units each.
Handling in a non-dignified or unsafe manner under reg 15: up to 10 penalty units.
Transporting remains for cremation/interment without a medical certificate or declaration under reg 18(1): up to 20 penalty units.
Failure to maintain storage temperature under reg 20(2): up to 5 penalty units.
Various cemetery record-keeping duties attract up to 20 penalty units (regs 27(1), 39(1), 40(1)).
The schedules convert many of these into infringement notice offences with prescribed penalty-unit amounts for individuals and body corporates (reg 73; Schedule 2). Schedule 2 lists specific provisions and sets smaller penalty-unit amounts for infringement notices where appropriate (for example Regulation 14(3) has a low infringement unit entry at item 20).
Enforcement powers
Entry, search and evidence collection: authorised officers who enter sites under section 16(1) of the Act may search premises, require production of records/documents, copy or extract, take samples, bring in equipment reasonably necessary, seize records if they reasonably believe contraventions have occurred and require reasonable assistance (reg 66(1)-(2), (e)-(f)). Reg 66(3) requires authorised officers not to unnecessarily impede work.
Seizure and retention: seized records can be retained for investigation, prosecution or coronial matters; persons otherwise entitled to retained documents can request certified copies (reg 69(1)-(3)).
Entry by specified officials: Director of Local Government, authorised officers and the Regulator may enter cemeteries and crematoria for compliance determination, with powers to seize if they have reasonable belief of contraventions (reg 70(1)-(3)).
Obstruction and false statements: obstructing authorised officers or failing to comply with lawful requests is penalised (reg 67). Making false or misleading statements in giving information under the regulations is an offence (reg 68).
Administrative interfaces with coronial processes
The regulations carve out coronial investigation space: movement and cremation prohibitions do not apply where the death may be subject to coronial investigation (reg 18(2)). Medical practitioners who refuse cremation permits because they are not satisfied must report to a coroner or police in accordance with section 19 of the Coroners Act 1995 (reg 58(4)(a)). Coroner’s orders can authorise opening coffins at crematoria (reg 61(1)(c)).
Discretion, notice and non-statutory guidance
The Director of Local Government may issue guidelines on crematorium equipment by notice in the Gazette (reg 59(2)). The regulations expressly state such notices are not statutory rules for Rules Publication Act purposes (reg 59(3)), which affects the procedural formality and possible review pathways for those guidelines.
In practice, enforcement combines on-site powers for inspectors and a calibrated set of fines with many lower-level contraventions convertible to infringement notices via Schedule 2. The instrument thus allows for both administrative resolution (infringement notices) and prosecution for more serious or persistent breaches.
How it interacts with other laws
The regulations embed multiple statutory cross-references and specify interactions with coronial and registration frameworks. They do not operate in isolation; instead they allocate roles consistent with other Acts and provide exceptions where other statutory regimes govern.
Cross-referenced statutes and defined terms
Burial and Cremation Act 2019: the regulations are made for purposes of that Act and refer to many of its sections (reg 27 refers to section 41 of the Act; regs repeatedly cite other Act sections for context). Several regulatory duties are framed to implement or operationalise Act provisions (e.g. registers for section 34(4) of the Act in reg 40).
Coroners Act 1995: the term “coroner’s certificate” is defined with reference to section 32 of the Coroners Act (reg 3), and the regulations require reporting to a coroner or police according to section 19 of the Coroners Act where a medical practitioner refuses a cremation permit (reg 58(4)(a)). The regulations exempt transport for cremation/interment when a death may be subject to coronial investigation (reg 18(2)). Coroner orders can authorise opening coffins at crematoria (reg 61(1)(c)). The authorised officers’ and medical practitioners’ duties are thus configured to defer to coronial processes where relevant.
Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1999: the “medical certificate” term pulls from section 35(3) of that Act (reg 3), and duplicate and triplicate distribution requirements for declarations of life extinct require forwarding to the Registrar (reg 10(5)(c)). The regulations therefore integrate death certification, registration and record flow with the registration scheme.
Public Health Act 1997: the Director of Public Health role referenced is the person appointed under that Act (reg 3 definition), and reg 4 gives the Director powers to issue notices on public-health grounds. Those powers are exercised “in the interests of public health or public safety”, linking the regulations operationally to public health statutory functions.
Local Government Act 1993: the “Director of Local Government” is defined by that Act and has powers under the regulations to approve forms and issue equipment guidelines (reg 10; reg 59).
End-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Act 2021: the definition of reportable death is qualified by reference to section 93(2) of the End-of-Life Choices Act indicating deaths excluded from coronial reportability under that Act are not “reportable deaths” for the Coroners Act (reg 3).
Historic Cultural Heritage Act 1995: reg 47 references Heritage Council and Heritage Register definitions to set obligations when removing monuments and the heritage-related notice obligations.
Administrative law and rule-making status
Equipment guidelines: the Director of Local Government may issue guidelines in the Gazette for crematorium equipment but the regulations explicitly say such notices are not statutory rules under the Rules Publication Act 1953 (reg 59(3)), a legal distinction that can affect the avenues for challenge, parliamentary scrutiny and procedural compliance for those guidelines.
Enforcement and coronial investigations
The regulations provide authorised officers powers to seize records either for enforcement of the Act/regulations or for coronial investigations (reg 69(1)(a),(b)). This cross-use is explicit: seized materials may be retained for coronial investigation purposes under the Coroners Act.
Practical effects of interaction
Medical practitioners must act both in accordance with these regulations and with coronial reporting duties under the Coroners Act; refusals to grant cremation permits trigger coronial/police reporting obligations (reg 58(4)).
Crematorium managers must accept coronial certificates as an alternative authority for cremation and must comply with coroner orders about opening coffins (regs 60-61, 65).
The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages is integrated into the declaration of life extinct distribution chain by the triplicate requirement (reg 10(5)).
Overall, the regulations operationalise death certification, coronial obligations, public-health directions, local government forms/guidelines and heritage notifications by cross-referencing and slotting duties into the existing legislative architecture.
Amendment history
The text supplied contains only the instrument as notified and the dates relevant to its coming into force and administration. The recorded administrative chronology in the instrument is:
Notification: The regulations were notified in the Gazette on 16 April 2025 (footer).
Commencement: The regulations take effect on 27 May 2025 (reg 2).
Administration: The regulations are administered by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (footer).
The instrument does not include any amendment schedules, transitional provisions beyond the commencement date, or a history of prior regulations. It does not record prior versions, revoked instruments or earlier iterations. If subsequent amendments are made, they would ordinarily appear as statutory rules or amending regulations and be published in the Gazette; the regulations currently identify one type of Director-issued notice that is not a statutory rule (reg 59(3)), which itself is a comment on procedural formality rather than an amendment history.
Where the regulations refer to other Acts, any subsequent amendment to those Acts could change the effective operation of the regulations; the instrument contains several cross-references (for example to the Coroners Act, Births Deaths and Marriages Act, Public Health Act, Local Government Act), so changes to those Acts may have consequential effects. The regulations themselves do not include saving or transitional provisions for any earlier rules; they simply commence on the date stated (reg 2).
Users seeking amendment history must look to the Gazette entries and to the local statutory rules register or legislative instrument lists maintained by the Office responsible for publishing statutory rules to see if later amending regulations or repeals have been made after the notified date. The instrument itself, as provided, contains no further amendment history.
Litigation history
The regulation text supplied does not record any judicial decisions, reported challenges, or administrative review determinations. It cites statutory duties, penalties and enforcement powers, but it does not reference any court or tribunal decisions interpreting the instrument. The instrument names no cases and contains no annotated history of litigation.
Consequently, there is no litigation history contained within the text to inform how courts have interpreted ambiguous terms such as “as soon as practicable”, “in the interests of public health or public safety”, or determinations of what constitutes sufficient identification or reasonable assistance to authorised officers. Practitioners will need to consult external case law (not included in this text) or administrative review records to understand how these provisions have been applied by tribunals or courts since commencement.
Additionally, the Director of Local Government’s guidelines for crematorium equipment are not statutory rules (reg 59(3)), so any legal challenges to those guidelines would be governed by the administrative law principles applicable to non-legislative policy instruments; again, the regulations themselves do not supply litigation information on such actions.
If precedent or interpretative guidance is required, it will need to be gathered from court or tribunal databases and government publications post‑enactment; the instrument text supplies no such material.
Gotchas
This instrument contains many operational traps for practitioners and regulated entities that arise from strict sequencing, documentary requirements, timeframes, and intersections with coronial processes. Key “gotchas” grounded in the text:
Identification tag before medical certificate or declaration:
Medical practitioners must be satisfied that an identification tag is attached before issuing a medical certificate (reg 7(1)(a)(iii)). The tag form is approved by the Director of Local Government (reg 11) and must contain prescribed information if identity is known (reg 12). Replacing tags requires a witness and specific records to be written on the replacement tag before removal of the original (reg 14(2)(a)-(c)). Missing or improperly replaced tags can block certificate issuance or trigger offences (reg 14(3)).
Cremation permit conflict and clinical gatekeeping:
Medical practitioners must refuse to accept or grant cremation permit applications in multiple conflict situations (reg 56). They also must examine the deceased and be satisfied as to cause-of-death accuracy and non-reportability before issuing a permit (reg 58(2)-(3)). If not satisfied, they must report the death to a coroner/police (reg 58(4)(a)). Practitioners involved with families or previously involved in care must check for these conflicts before acting.
Implanted medical device removal requirement:
A cremation permit must not be granted unless any implanted medical device of which the medical practitioner is aware has been removed (reg 58(2)(d)). The application form asks whether the deceased had an implanted medical device (reg 55(2)(a)(ix)). Failure to remove such devices risks professional and regulatory liability.
Time pressure for transport to regulated business:
Managers must arrange transport within 8 hours after being informed remains are ready for transport, unless storage under reg 20 applies (reg 17(1)). That is a concrete operational deadline for funeral directors and managers.
Storage temperature obligation:
Storage must be at or brought to a temperature not exceeding 5°C as soon as practicable after custody transfers (reg 20(2)). No explicit absolute delay is set; “as soon as practicable” invites enforcement risk if regulators find delays unreasonable.
Coffin construction and crematorium refusals:
Coffins must be impervious and robust (reg 25(1)). Crematorium managers may refuse coffins that contain material likely to damage equipment or be injurious to public health (reg 25(2)). Funeral directors need to ensure coffin materials are acceptable to crematoria and document any rejections.
Records, registers and public access:
Cemetery managers must keep a plan and registers and provide reasonable inspection access to members of the public for open entries (regs 39-41). Closed entries are inspectable only by listed persons (reg 41(4)-(5)). Failure to maintain or properly control access attracts fines (reg 39(1), reg 41 penalties listed).
Cremated remains disposal after two years:
If senior next of kin cannot be contacted despite all reasonable efforts, crematorium managers may dispose of cremated remains after a 2-year period from the date of cremation (reg 64(3)). Practitioners should log efforts to contact next of kin to avoid disputes.
Director-issued equipment guidelines are not statutory rules:
The Director of Local Government’s crematorium equipment guidelines are issued in the Gazette but explicitly not a statutory rule for Rules Publication Act purposes (reg 59(2)-(3)). That affects how those guidelines can be challenged or relied upon; they are binding via regulation 59(1) which incorporates compliance, but their procedural status is different.
Infringement schedule mapping and penalty unit specifics:
Schedule 2 translates many contraventions into infringement notice offences with specific penalty-unit amounts for individuals and bodies corporate (reg 73; Sched 2). Practitioners must map a contravention to Schedule 2 to see if an infringement notice option exists and the penalty quantum. The Schedule mixes references to “Section” and “Regulation” numbers; careful reading of the Schedule alongside the Act and regulations is required to identify the exact provision referenced.
Triplicate handling of declarations of life extinct:
Declarations must be issued in triplicate with specific distribution (reg 10(4)-(5)); failing to give copies as required could frustrate registration and cremation permit processes.
Manager’s discretionary power vs duty to provide reasons:
Cemetery managers may refuse interment permission and must give reasons in writing if refusing (reg 30(3)(c)). That creates procedural fairness implications; a written decision that lacks reasons may be open to challenge on administrative law grounds, though the regulations themselves do not prescribe an appeal path.
Heritage and monument removal processes:
Removing a monument without notice in an unlisted cemetery requires pre- and post-removal photographic documentation and a written notice to the Heritage Council within 14 days, unless the monument is less than 50 years old (reg 47). Failure risks penalties and complicates cemetery maintenance.
These are concrete operational risks that arise from the way the regulations sequence documentary and practical obligations. Practitioners should treat the tag/identification/declaration/permit chain as a single compliance flow that can halt further action if a single link is missing.
How to comply
Below is a practical, source‑grounded checklist and procedural map for the principal regulated actors: cemetery managers, crematorium managers, managers of regulated businesses (including funeral directors and transporters), medical practitioners, and authorised officers’ interfaces. Citations are given to the specific regulations.
For cemetery managers
Issue a certificate of exclusive right of burial within 30 days of granting an exclusive right (reg 27(1)). Ensure the certificate contains required items (holder identity, persons entitled, plot identifier or method, term/fee, renewal/transfer conditions) and keep a copy until expiry or five years after all entitled persons are buried (reg 27(2)-(4)).
Keep an up-to-date plan showing grave locations and plots reserved for exclusive rights; mark any plot identifiers promptly when a certificate identifies a plot (reg 39(1)-(2)). Provide reasonable inspection access (reg 39(3)).
Maintain registers of interments and exclusive rights with the specified particulars; ensure open entry entries are publicly inspectable and closed entries are limited to the persons listed in reg 41(4) (regs 40-41).
Require written interment applications with the particulars in reg 31(1) and obtain them prior to permission, unless reasonable enquiries have been made and information cannot be obtained (reg 31(2)-(3)).
Ensure interments meet the technical standards: ground interment depths or approved alternative, and vault standards for arterial embalming and prevention of fluids/odours/unauthorised access (regs 34-35). Close and secure open graves as soon as practicable (reg 36).
Approve permanent items before affixing and, when removing monuments without notice in an unlisted cemetery, take the required photographs and give the Heritage Council notice as required (reg 45; reg 47).
For crematorium managers and regulated business managers
Ensure crematorium equipment complies with any guidelines issued by the Director of Local Government (reg 59(1)-(2)); monitor the Gazette for such notices, noting they are not statutory rules (reg 59(3)).
Prior to cremation, verify identity according to reg 60(2) (no discrepancy among cremation permit/coroner’s certificate, nameplate on coffin, proof coffin came from a regulated business, and coffin not opened after leaving the business). Refuse cremation if documentation incomplete (reg 60(3)).
Secure coffins, restrict openings (unless authorised by crematorium manager, medical practitioner who issued the permit, or coroner), and require removal of coffins for authorised openings if necessary (reg 61).
Keep cremated remains separate, appropriately identified and securely stored, and retain them until instructions from senior next of kin; if no instructions and efforts to contact next of kin fail, retain for two years minimum before lawfully disposing (regs 62-64).
Maintain prescribed records per reg 65 (cremation permits, coroner’s certificate, name and address of applicant, date of cremation and register entries) and ensure registers are updated as soon as practicable (reg 65(2)).
For managers of regulated businesses, funeral directors and transporters
Place remains in coffins, containers or trays capable of preventing escape of bodily discharges (reg 19(1)). Ensure vehicle compartments are separate or that coffins are adequately secured and vehicles can be cleaned and disinfected (reg 19(2)-(3)).
Arrange transport to a regulated business within 8 hours after being informed remains are ready, unless compliant storage is being used (reg 17).
If placing remains in storage, use appropriate containment and ensure storage temperature does not exceed 5°C as soon as practicable (reg 20).
For medical practitioners and responsible persons
Respond to notification of death by attending or arranging attendance within 8 hours (reg 6). Issue medical certificates only after satisfying the identity and reportability tests, and ensure an identification tag is attached where required (regs 6-7).
Use Director of Local Government forms for declarations of life extinct, issue in triplicate, and distribute as required (reg 10(1), (4)-(5)). Do not complete declarations where conflicts per reg 10(6) exist.
For cremation permits, accept applications only from the senior next of kin and not where conflicts listed in reg 56 exist. Examine the deceased, confirm cause-of-death accuracy and implanted medical device removal (if known) before issuing permits (regs 55-58).
If refusing a cremation permit because the practitioner is not satisfied, report to coroner/police and notify the senior next of kin (reg 58(4)).
For all managers regarding hygiene and staff safety
Ensure contaminated premises/equipment are cleaned and disinfected as soon as practicable and provide appropriate cleaning equipment and storage known to employees (reg 21).
Equip vehicles with protective clothing and cleaning equipment (reg 22). Provide protective clothing to employees and information about infection hazards and written safe work procedures (regs 23-24).
Record-keeping, audits and public notices
Keep required registers, plans and copies of exclusive-right certificates and ensure inspection access rules are followed (regs 27, 39-41, 40). Prepare for regulator audits: if requested, audits must be by an auditor who is a member of a recognised professional body and has no conflict, or by self-audit as requested (reg 52).
Publish notices required by the Act in the prescribed manner: daily newspapers approved by the regulator, in public notice sections, using minimum font/spacing and with specified headings and prescribed content elements (regs 48-51).
Enforcement readiness
Cooperate with authorised officers who may enter, search, copy and seize materials; produce records and give reasonable assistance when lawfully required (regs 66-67). Keep orderly copies and backups so authorised officers can be provided certified copies if originals are seized (reg 69(2)-(3)).
Practical compliance tips
Build a compliance checklist mapping: identification tag → medical certificate/declaration → transport → regulated business storage/cremation permit → crematorium identity verification. Missing any link can stop the sequence.
Maintain documented attempts to contact senior next of kin and detailed logs of removal/inspection of implants, tag replacements (with witness details), and cleaning/disinfection actions to defend against enforcement or dispute.
Monitor Gazette notices for Director-issued equipment guidelines and be cautious about relying solely on them as statutory rules (reg 59(3)).
Maintain staff training on infection hazards and safe work procedures as written documents available to employees (reg 24).
This compliance map is anchored to the specific regulatory provisions and timeframes in the instrument; following it reduces the practical risk of enforcement action under the schedules that convert many breaches into infringement notices or fines.
cremation permit means a permit, authorising cremation, issued and in force under Division 2 of Part 4 ;
declaration of life extinct means a declaration of life extinct referred to in regulation 10 ;
Director of Local Government means Director as defined in the Local Government Act 1993 ;
Director of Public Health means the person appointed as Director of Public Health under section 6 of thePublic Health Act 1997 ;
employee means a person who is employed in a regulated business;
grave means –
(a) an interment plot; or
(b) a vault; or
(c) any other site or structure –
in which human remains are interred;
identification tag means an identification tag referred to in regulation 11 ;
implanted medical device means a medical device, implanted in a person, that may cause an explosion if the body of that person, when deceased, is cremated, and includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(a) a battery;
(b) radioactive material;
(c) a cardiac pacemaker;
manager means a person who, either alone or with others, manages, operates, or is in day-to-day control of, a regulated business;
medical certificate means –
(a) a certificate certifying the cause of a person's death given by a medical practitioner under section 35(3) of theBirths, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1999 ; or
(b) a notice or certificate that is issued and is in force under a law of the Commonwealth, another State, a Territory, or any other place outside this State, that corresponds to a certificate of the kind referred to in paragraph (a) ;
midwife means a person registered under the Health Practitioners Regulation National Law (Tasmania) in the midwifery profession;
nurse means a registered nurse or an enrolled nurse;
officer of the Ambulance Service means officer of the Ambulance Service as defined in the Ambulance Service Act 1982 ;
proclaimed war means any war or hostilities or special assignment in which any of the naval, military or air forces of the Crown or of the Commonwealth of Australia have been, are, or may be, engaged;
Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages means Registrar as defined in the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1999 ;
reportable death means reportable death as defined in the Coroners Act 1995 but does not include a death that is, by virtue of section 93(2) of theEnd-of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Act 2021 , not a reportable death for the purposes of the Coroners Act 1995 ;
responsible person means –
(a) a nurse; or
(b) an officer of the Ambulance Service; or
(c) any other person who, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, has the knowledge and skills necessary to determine if –
(i) the person who has been notified as dead is in fact dead; and
(ii) the death is a reportable death;
service or duty includes –
(a) any naval, military or air service in any proclaimed war; and
(b) any special defence undertaking within the meaning of section 6 of the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952 of the Commonwealth; and
(c) any peacetime activities, including any peace-keeping activities; and
(d) any training activities conducted in conditions simulating war or war-like activities;
spouse includes the other party to a significant relationship, within the meaning of the Relationships Act 2003 ;
tray means a tray or table on which human remains are placed before being placed in a coffin;
vault means –
(a) a compartment in a mausoleum; or
(b) a compartment in an underground chamber –
in which human remains are or may be interred;
veteran means a person –
(a) who is, or has been, employed as an officer, or a member, of the naval, military or air forces of –
(i) the Commonwealth of Australia; or
(ii) the Crown or an ally of the Crown; and
(b) who, while so employed, performed a service or duty.
Part 2 Handling of Human Remains
Part 2 Handling of Human Remains
Division 1 Directions in relation to human remains
Division 1 Directions in relation to human remains
4 Directions
4 Directions
(1) If the Director of Public Health considers it in the interests of public health or public safety to do so, the Director, by notice in writing given to a person, may direct that the person is to take any action specified in the notice relating to –
(a) the handling, transportation and storage of human remains; or
(b) the conduct of a regulated business.
(2) A person must comply with a notice given under subregulation (1) .
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
(3) If the Director of Public Health considers it in the interests of public health or public safety to do so, the Director, by notice in writing given to a manager, may direct that the manager is to take any action specified in the notice relating to –
(a) appropriate hygiene practices; and
(b) the appropriate handling and disposal of –
(i) medical instruments; and
(ii) infectious material; and
(iii) any other article or thing that may be contaminated; and
(c) the use of aseptic techniques.
(4) A manager must comply with a notice given under subregulation (3) .
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
Division 2 Notification of death
Division 2 Notification of death
5 Notification of death
5 Notification of death
(1) If a person reasonably believes that another person has died, he or she is to notify any of the following persons of that death as soon as practicable:
(a) a police officer;
(b) a medical practitioner;
(c) a nurse;
(d) a midwife;
(e) an officer of the Ambulance Service.
(2) A police officer, nurse, midwife or officer of the Ambulance Service who is notified of a death under subregulation (1) is to notify a medical practitioner of that death as soon as practicable.
6 Action to be taken by medical practitioner after notification of death
6 Action to be taken by medical practitioner after notification of death
(1) A medical practitioner who receives notification of a death under regulation 5(1)(b) or regulation 5(2) is to take one of the following actions within 8 hours after receiving that notification:
(a) attend the place of death;
(b) arrange for another medical practitioner to attend the place of death;
(c) arrange for a responsible person to attend the place of death.
(2) A medical practitioner is not to make an arrangement for a responsible person to attend a place of death under subregulation (1)(c) unless the responsible person is capable of carrying out, and willing to carry out, that arrangement.
(3) Another medical practitioner with whom an arrangement is made under subregulation (1)(b) is to attend the place of death within 8 hours after notification is received under regulation 5 .
(4) A responsible person with whom an arrangement is made under subregulation (1)(c) is to attend the place of death within 8 hours after notification is received under regulation 5 .
7 Action to be taken by medical practitioner after attending place of death
7 Action to be taken by medical practitioner after attending place of death
(1) A medical practitioner who attends a place of death under regulation 6(1)(a) or in accordance with an arrangement under regulation 6(1)(b) is to –
(a) issue a medical certificate, if satisfied that –
(i) the person who has been notified as dead is in fact dead; and
(ii) the death is not a reportable death; and
(iii) an identification tag is attached to the human remains in accordance with regulation 13 ; or
(b) issue a declaration of life extinct, if satisfied that –
(i) the person who has been notified as dead is in fact dead; and
(ii) an identification tag is attached to the human remains in accordance with regulation 13 ; or
(c) notify a police officer or a coroner of the death, if the medical practitioner believes that the death is a reportable death.
(2) On issuing a declaration of life extinct under subregulation (1)(b) , a medical practitioner is to –
(a) issue a medical certificate, if satisfied that the death is not a reportable death; or
(b) specify in the declaration of life extinct the name of another medical practitioner who has agreed to issue a medical certificate.
8 Action to be taken by medical practitioner after receiving duplicate copy of declaration of life extinct
8 Action to be taken by medical practitioner after receiving duplicate copy of declaration of life extinct
After receiving a duplicate copy of a declaration of life extinct under regulation 10(5)(b) , a medical practitioner is to issue a medical certificate.
9 Action to be taken by responsible persons, midwives and police officers after attending place of death
9 Action to be taken by responsible persons, midwives and police officers after attending place of death
(1) A responsible person who attends a place of death under regulation 6(1)(c) is to –
(a) issue a declaration of life extinct if satisfied that –
(i) the person who has been notified as dead is in fact dead; and
(ii) an identification tag is attached to the human remains in accordance with regulation 13 ; or
(b) notify a police officer or a coroner of the death, if the responsible person believes that the death is a reportable death.
(2) A responsible person who issues a declaration of life extinct under subregulation (1) is to specify in that declaration –
(a) the name of the medical practitioner who, in accordance with regulation 6(1)(c) , arranged for that responsible person to attend the place of death; and
(b) the name of the medical practitioner who is to issue a medical certificate in relation to the deceased person to whom the declaration relates.
(3) A nurse, or an officer of the Ambulance Service, who attends a place of death of a person, other than under regulation 6(1)(c) –
(a) if satisfied that –
(i) the person who has been notified as dead is in fact dead; and
(ii) an identification tag is attached to the human remains in accordance with regulation 13 –
is to partially complete the declaration of life extinct in relation to the deceased person by filling out the part of that declaration that indicates that the nurse or officer is satisfied as to the matters referred to in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) ; or
(b) is to notify a police officer or a coroner of the death, if the nurse or officer of the Ambulance Service believes that the death is a reportable death.
(4) A nurse, or an officer of the Ambulance Service, who partially completes a declaration of life extinct under subregulation (3) is, if not intending to complete the declaration under subregulation (5) , to ensure that, before leaving the place of death to which the declaration relates, the nurse or officer provides the declaration to –
(a) a person referred to in subregulation (5) for completion by that person under subregulation (5) ; or
(b) a person who will provide the declaration to a person referred to in subregulation (5) for completion by that person under subregulation (5) .
(5) A police officer, a nurse, a midwife, or an officer of the Ambulance Service, who –
(a) attends a place of death, other than under regulation 6(1)(c) , in relation to a deceased person; and
(b) knows the name of the medical practitioner who is to issue a medical certificate in relation to the person –
is to complete the declaration of life extinct, if any, in relation to the deceased person, that has been partially completed under subregulation (3) and is in the possession of the police officer, nurse, midwife or officer of the Ambulance Service, by filling out the part of the declaration that specifies the name of the medical practitioner who is to issue a m
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.