2019 California Code
Health and Safety Code - HSC
DIVISION 7 - DEAD BODIES
PART 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 3 - Custody, and Duty of Interment
Section 7117.

(a) Cremated remains or hydrolyzed human remains may be taken by boat from any harbor in this state, or by air, and scattered at sea. Cremated remains or hydrolyzed human remains shall be removed from their container before the remains are scattered at sea.

(b) Any person who scatters at sea, either from a boat or from the air, any cremated human remains or hydrolyzed human remains shall file with the local registrar of births and deaths in the county nearest the point where the remains were scattered, a verified statement containing the name of the deceased person, the time and place of death, the place at which the cremated remains or hydrolyzed human remains were scattered, and any other information that the local registrar of births and deaths may require. The first copy of the endorsed permit shall be filed with the local registrar of births and deaths within 10 days of disposition. The third copy shall be returned to the office of issuance.

(c) For purposes of this section, the phrase “at sea” includes the inland navigable waters of this state, exclusive of lakes and streams, provided that no such scattering may take place within 500 yards of the shoreline. This section does not allow the scattering of cremated human remains or hydrolyzed human remains from a bridge or pier.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, the cremated remains or hydrolyzed human remains of a deceased person may be scattered at sea as provided in this section and Section 103060.

(e) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2020.

(Amended (as added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 846, Sec. 68) by Stats. 2018, Ch. 92, Sec. 139. (SB 1289) Effective January 1, 2019.)