Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1964 NO. 103 >

(1) There is no statutory mandate requiring the embalming of a body prior to cremation. (2) There is no statutory requirement that a coffin be purchased prior to the cremation. (3) There is no statutory mandate requiring that a coffin be consumed with the corpse. (4) The manner in which a person may deposit or dispose of cremated remains is restricted by § 28, chapter 247, Laws of 1943 (cf. RCW 68.08.130). (5) A funeral director and a crematorium operator, like any individual, may be held accountable for any misrepresentation, the legal relief to be afforded being dependent upon the facts and circumstances of the case.