New York regulations

19 NYCRR 203.1

Department of State

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Definitions

Register checked through August 19, 2026/Vol. XLVIII, Issue 33

No later Register activity identified in this check.

Dates and status
Compiling agency
Department of State
Text status
Phase2b Dequote Reversal
Register checked through
August 19, 2026/Vol. XLVIII, Issue 33
Activity status
No later Register activity identified in this check.
Latest notice
WCB-31-20-00002-E · Emergency rule · Jul 21, 2020
Source snapshot
May 19, 2026

This stored compiled body is source-caveated. Its source-observation date and the separate State Register currentness check describe different evidence.

(a)The term

cremation means the technical process, using heat and flame, that reduces human remains to ashes and other residue. Cremation shall include the processing, and may include the pulverization, of such ashes and other residue.

(b)The term

cremains means ashes and other residue recovered after the completion of cremation, which may include residue of foreign matter that may have been cremated with the human remains.

(c)The term

casket includes coffin and means a rigid container that is designed for the encasement of human remains and customarily ornamented and lined with fabric.

(d)The term

unfinished wooden box means an unornamented casket made of wood which does not have a fixed interior lining.

(e)The term

alternative container means a nonmetal receptacle or enclosure, typically without ornamentation or a fixed interior lining, which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is made of cardboard, pressed wood, composition materials (with or without an outside covering) or pouches of canvas or other material.

(f)The term

cremation container means an unfinished wooden box, wooden casket, or alternative container which is rigid on all sides, which can be closed to completely cover the remains of the deceased human being, which is sufficiently sturdy to lift and handle with ease and to support the weight of the deceased and which is fully combustible and intended to be incinerated with the human remains.

(g)The term

ceremonial casket , also known as a rental casket, means a casket which is not intended to be incinerated with the human remains.

(h)The term

crematory means a facility in which the remains of deceased human beings are processed by cremation, the business or entity operating the facility, or both, as the context requires.

(i)The term

retort means the crematory furnace and chamber(s) by which and in which cremation occurs.

(j)The term

temporary storage facility means an area that:

(1)is a separately enclosed room or a separately enclosed area within a room;
(2)is designated for and used exclusively for the retention of human remains prior to cremation;
(3)is adequately ventilated;
(4)complies with all applicable public health laws regarding the proper handling and storage of human remains and body fluids;
(5)is operated and maintained in a manner which protects the health and safety of crematory personnel;
(6)is secure from access by anyone other than authorized persons; and
(7)the interior of which is not visible from any area accessible to the general public.
(k)The term

cremation permit means the burial and removal permit required pursuant to section 4145 of the Public Health Law that is annotated for disposition of the remains of a deceased human being by cremation.

(l)The term

person in control of disposition means the person who has the right to control the disposition of the remains of a decedent pursuant to Public Health Law section 4201.

(m)The term

funeral firm means an individual, partnership, corporation or estate representative engaged in the business and practice of funeral directing.

(n)The term

funeral home , also known as a funeral establishment, means a single physical location, address or premises devoted to or used for the care and preparation of a body of a deceased person for disposition and for mourning or funeral ceremonial purposes.

State Register activity

2 rulemakings · 2 notices

  1. Allowing telemedicine in some circumstances, supersede previ- ous emergency adoption.

    WCB-31-20-00002Workers' Compensation Board

    1. Emergency ruleWCB-31-20-00002-E

      Amendment of sections 325-1.8, 329-1.3, 329-4.2, 333.2 and 348.2 of Title 12 NYCRR.

  2. Acceptance of human remains for cremation during an emergency. 18 [[PAGE 25]] Rule Making Activities

    DOS-20-20-00006Department of StatePart-level action

    The Register recorded this action against the whole Part, which includes this section (19 NYCRR Part 203).

    1. Emergency ruleDOS-20-20-00006-E

      Addition of section 203.14 to Title 19 NYCRR.

Register checked through August 19, 2026/Vol. XLVIII, Issue 33

State Register notices matched to this citation. This is Register status evidence, not compiled regulation text: a notice does not by itself amend the text shown here.

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