Part VII. Standards for Embalming and Refrigeration
18VAC65-20-510. Embalming.
A. In accordance with the provisions of subdivision 26 of § 54.1-2806 and subsection B of § 54.1-2811.1 of the Code of Virginia, express permission by a next of kin for embalming means written authorization to embalm as a specific and separate statement on a document or contract provided by the funeral establishment. Express permission may include direct, verbal authorization to embalm, provided it is followed as soon as possible by a written document or statement signed by the next of kin confirming the verbal authorization to embalm and including the time, date, and name of the person who gave verbal authorization.
B. Every funeral establishment shall record and maintain a separate, identifiable report for each embalming procedure conducted, which shall at a minimum include the following information:
1. The name of the deceased and the date of death;
2. The date and location of the embalming;
3. The name and signature of the embalmer and the Virginia license number of the embalmer;
4. If the embalming was performed by a funeral service intern, the name and signature of the supervisor; and
5. The name of each student and the signature of the supervisor of any mortuary science student who assisted in the embalming.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2803 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR320-01-2 § 11.1, eff. October 24, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 25, eff. October 7, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 14, eff. May 3, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 7, eff. January 20, 1999; Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008; Volume 35, Issue 7, eff. December 26, 2018; Volume 37, Issue 12, eff. March 3, 2021.
18VAC65-20-520. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR320-01-2 § 11.2, eff. October 24, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 25, eff. October 7, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 14, eff. May 3, 1995; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 7, eff. January 20, 1999.
18VAC65-20-530. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR320-01-2 § 11.3, eff. October 24, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 25, eff. October 7, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 14, eff. May 3, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 7, eff. January 20, 1999; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 26, eff. September 29, 2010.
18VAC65-20-540. Preparation room requirements.
A. Every funeral service establishment at which embalming of dead human bodies is performed shall have at least one room used exclusively for embalming or preparation of the body.
B. The following are required of the preparation room or rooms:
1. The walls shall extend floor to ceiling;
2. The floor and wall surfaces shall be of a material or covered by a material impervious to water; and
3. The material shall extend from wall to wall with all joints tight and sanitary.
C. All functions connected with embalming shall be performed within the preparation room.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 and Chapter 28 (§ 54.1-2800 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR320-01-2 § 11.4, eff. October 24, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 25, eff. October 7, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 14, eff. May 3, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 7, eff. January 20, 1999.
18VAC65-20-550. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR320-01-2 §§ 11.5 and 11.6, eff. October 24, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 25, eff. October 7, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 14, eff. May 3, 1995; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 7, eff. January 20, 1999.
18VAC65-20-570. Condition of preparation room.
A. The preparation room or rooms shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition at all times, subject to inspection.
B. Inventories of embalming and preparation materials shall be stored in a container and in a manner that makes them impervious to water and protects them from contamination.
C. Any items or supplies not directly used in an embalming procedure shall not be stored in the preparation room.
Statutory Authority
§ 54.1-2400 and Chapter 28 (§ 54.1-2800 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR320-01-2 § 11.7, eff. October 24, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 25, eff. October 7, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 14, eff. May 3, 1995; Volume 20, Issue 8, eff. January 28, 2004; Errata 20:10 VA.R. 1060 January 26, 2004.
18VAC65-20-580. Preparation room equipment.
The preparation room or rooms shall be equipped with:
1. A ventilation system which operates and is appropriate to the size and function of the room;
2. Running hot and cold water;
3. Flush or slop sink connected with public sewer or with septic tank where no public sewer is available;
4. Metal, fiberglass, or porcelain morgue table;
5. Covered waste container;
6. Instruments and apparatus for the embalming process;
7. A means or method for the sterilization or disinfection of reusable instruments by chemical bath or soak; autoclave (steam); or ultraviolet light;
8. Disinfectants and antiseptic solutions;
9. Clean gowns or aprons, preferably impervious to water;
10. Rubber gloves for each embalmer , intern, or student using the room;
11. An electric aspirator or hydroaspirator equipped with a vacuum breaker;
12. An eye wash station that is readily accessible; and
13. A standard first aid kit, that is immediately accessible, either in the preparation room or outside the door to the preparation room.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2803 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR320-01-2 § 11.8, eff. October 24, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 25, eff. October 7, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 14, eff. May 3, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 7, eff. January 20, 1999; Volume 20, Issue 8, eff. January 28, 2004; Volume 22, Issue 21, eff. July 26, 2006; Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. September 26, 2013; Volume 37, Issue 12, eff. March 3, 2021.
18VAC65-20-581. Refrigeration requirements.
A. If a dead human body is to be in the possession of a funeral establishment or crematory for more than 48 hours from the time the funeral establishment or crematory takes physical possession of the body until embalming, cremation, or burial, the body shall be placed and maintained in refrigeration in a mechanical refrigeration unit suitable for storing human remains in accordance with subsection B of § 54.1-2811.1 of the Code of Virginia.
B. The mechanical refrigeration unit may be located in the funeral establishment or crematory, or the funeral establishment or crematory may enter into an agreement or contract with another funeral establishment, crematory, or other licensed entity for refrigeration in a mechanical refrigeration unit.
C. Evidence of compliance with the requirement for refrigeration shall be maintained as a log entry or other documentation indicating times of placement in and removal of a body from refrigeration.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2803 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 7, eff. December 26, 2018.
18VAC65-20-590. Disposal of waste materials.
Disposal of all waste materials shall be in conformity with local, state, and federal law and regulations to avoid contagion and the possible spread of disease. Upon inspection, the establishment shall provide evidence of compliance, such as a copy of a contract with a medical waste disposal company.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-2803 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR320-01-2 § 11.9, eff. October 24, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 25, eff. October 7, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 14, eff. May 3, 1995; Volume 15, Issue 7, eff. January 20, 1999; Volume 20, Issue 8, eff. January 28, 2004; Volume 24, Issue 24, eff. September 3, 2008.
18VAC65-20-600. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR320-01-2 §§ 11.10 and 11.11, eff. October 24, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 25, eff. October 7, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 14, eff. May 3, 1995; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 7, eff. January 20, 1999.
18VAC65-20-620. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR320-01-2 § 12.1, eff. October 24, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 8, Issue 25, eff. October 7, 1992; Volume 11, Issue 14, eff. May 3, 1995; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 7, eff. January 20, 1999.