Chapter 149A — Purpose and Scope

149A.001 This is a cross-reference entry pointing to section 15.001, which contains general provisions applicable to state … 149A.01 Purpose and Scope This section explains that Minnesota law regulates how dead human bodies are handled, transported, and laid to rest. In … 149A.02 Definitions This section defines key terms used throughout the funeral services chapter. It covers types of final disposition … 149A.025 This section has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 149A.03 Duties of Commissioner The commissioner of health must enforce funeral service laws, license funeral directors and morticians, inspect funeral … 149A.04 Enforcement The regulatory agency can inspect funeral establishments at least every two years and whenever it suspects a violation. … 149A.05 Correction Orders The regulatory agency can issue correction orders telling funeral providers to fix violations. The order must explain … 149A.06 Administrative Penalty Orders The regulatory agency can impose fines of up to $10,000 per violation against funeral providers. The agency considers … 149A.07 Injunctive Relief The regulatory agency can go to district court to get an injunction to stop any person from violating or threatening to … 149A.08 Cease and Desist Order The regulatory agency can issue cease and desist orders to stop funeral providers from violating the law or from selling … 149A.09 Denial; Refusal to Reissue; Revocation; Suspension; Limitation of License, Registration, or Permit The regulatory agency can deny, revoke, or suspend a funeral service license for reasons including failing to meet … 149A.10 Additional Remedies The regulatory agency can charge a licensee for the costs of disciplinary proceedings, including attorney fees, court … 149A.11 Publication of Disciplinary Actions The commissioner of health must publish at least once a year a report of all disciplinary actions taken against funeral … 149A.20 License to Practice Mortuary Science To practice mortuary science in Minnesota, you must be at least 21, have a bachelor's degree with mortuary science … 149A.30 Reciprocal Licensing People licensed in other states can get a Minnesota mortuary science license if their state's requirements are similar … 149A.40 Renewal of License to Practice Mortuary Science Mortuary science licenses expire on December 31 each year and must be renewed. Licensees must complete 15 hours of … 149A.45 Emeritus Registration for Mortuary Science Practitioners Retired mortuary science practitioners in good standing can apply for emeritus registration. This is a one-time $50 fee … 149A.47 Transfer Care Specialist A transfer care specialist is someone registered with the commissioner who can remove a dead body from the place of … 149A.50 License to Operate a Funeral Establishment Anyone who operates a place that holds, cares for, or prepares dead bodies for final disposition needs a license from … 149A.51 Renewal of License to Operate a Funeral Establishment Funeral establishment licenses expire on June 30 each year and must be renewed with a completed application and proof of … 149A.52 License to Operate a Crematory Anyone who operates a crematory in Minnesota must have a license from the commissioner of health. The crematory must … 149A.53 Renewal of License to Operate Crematory Crematory licenses expire on June 30 each year and must be renewed with a completed application and proof of liability … 149A.54 License to Operate an Alkaline Hydrolysis Facility Operating an alkaline hydrolysis facility (water cremation) in Minnesota requires a license from the commissioner of … 149A.55 Renewal of License to Operate an Alkaline Hydrolysis Facility Alkaline hydrolysis facility licenses expire on June 30 each year and must be renewed with a completed application and … 149A.56 License to Operate a Natural Organic Reduction Facility Effective July 1, 2025, operating a natural organic reduction (human composting) facility in Minnesota requires a … 149A.57 Renewal of License to Operate a Natural Organic Reduction Facility Effective July 1, 2025, natural organic reduction facility licenses expire on June 30 each year and must be renewed with … 149A.60 Prohibited Conduct The regulatory agency can take disciplinary action against anyone who fails to follow funeral service laws, rules, … 149A.61 Complaints; Reporting Obligations; Form; Response Anyone can report suspected funeral service violations to the regulatory agency. Government agencies and organizations … 149A.62 Immunity; Reporting Anyone who reports funeral service violations in good faith is protected from being sued or criminally prosecuted for … 149A.63 Professional Cooperation All licensees, students, interns, transfer care specialists, and license applicants must fully cooperate with … 149A.65 Fees This section lists all fees for funeral service registrations, exams, licenses, and renewals. Fees include $75 for … 149A.70 Business Practices This section regulates funeral industry business practices. Only licensed professionals may use titles like 'mortician' … 149A.71 Funeral Industry Practices; Price Disclosures Funeral providers must give accurate price information to anyone who asks, whether in person or by phone. They must … 149A.72 Funeral Industry Practices; Misrepresentations Funeral providers cannot falsely claim that embalming is required by law when it is not. They cannot claim a casket is … 149A.73 Funeral Industry Practices, Goods, or Services Funeral providers cannot require you to buy a casket for cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction. … 149A.74 Funeral Services Provided Without Prior Approval A funeral provider cannot embalm a body without getting approval from someone legally authorized to make that decision. … 149A.745 Prohibition on Preinterment of Outer Burial Containers A funeral provider cannot bury a lined and sealed outer burial container (vault) in the ground before the person it is … 149A.75 Funeral Industry Practices; Retention of Documents Funeral providers must keep their price lists for at least one year and itemized statements for at least three years. … 149A.76 Funeral Industry Practices; Comprehension of Disclosures All price disclosures and other required information from funeral providers must be presented in a clear and … 149A.80 Death; Right to Control and Duty of Disposition A person can leave written instructions about their funeral wishes. If no instructions exist, the right to decide … 149A.81 Anatomical Gifts This section addresses how funeral services interact with organ and body donation. When only part of the body is … 149A.90 Death; Registration and Removal From Place of Death A death record must be filed for every death. Only a licensed mortician, funeral director, or registered person may … 149A.91 Preparation of Body Anyone who handles an unembalmed body must use universal precautions to prevent disease transmission. Embalming may only … 149A.92 Preparation and Embalming Room Funeral establishments must have a dedicated preparation and embalming room that meets specific standards. The room must … 149A.93 Transportation of Dead Human Bodies Dead bodies must be transported in a way that protects public health. The body must be in a leak-proof container during … 149A.94 Final Disposition All dead bodies must receive a lawful final disposition: burial, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic … 149A.941 Alkaline Hydrolysis Facilities and Alkaline Hydrolysis This section sets the rules for alkaline hydrolysis facilities. The facility must get written authorization before … 149A.95 Crematories and Cremation This section sets detailed rules for crematories. Written authorization is required before cremation. Pacemakers and … 149A.955 Natural Organic Reduction Facilities and Natural Organic Reduction Effective July 1, 2025, this section sets the rules for natural organic reduction facilities. Written authorization is … 149A.96 Disinterment and Reinterment Digging up a buried body (disinterment) or moving remains to a new burial site (reinterment) requires a permit from the … 149A.97 Preneed Arrangements Funeral providers can sell preneed funeral arrangements where people plan and pay for their funeral in advance. Payments … 149A.98 Recovery of Attorney Fees If a funeral provider violates the consumer protection provisions of this chapter, the consumer may recover attorney … 15.001 Application of Laws 2005, Chapter 56, Terminology Changes This section addresses terminology changes made by Laws 2005, chapter 56. It provides guidance on how updated terms …