2016 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 59. Professions and Occupations
§59-396.12b. Conducting funeral, persons authorized - Embalming, persons authorized - Transfer or removal of remains.

A. Each funeral conducted within this state shall be under the personal supervision of a duly licensed funeral director who holds a valid license from the Oklahoma Funeral Board. A registered apprentice may assist in conducting funerals. To conduct a funeral shall require the personal supervision of a licensed funeral director from the time of the first call until interment is completed. A funeral director conducting a funeral in this state shall ensure that the casket or other container holding the deceased human remains shall not incur any damage other than that which is normally incurred in the burial or final disposition of human remains.

B. The embalming of dead human remains shall require the presence and the direct supervision of a duly licensed embalmer, however, a licensed registered apprentice embalmer may perform the embalming of a dead human provided said registered apprentice embalmer is under the direct supervision of a duly licensed embalmer.

C. Nothing in this section regarding the conduct of funerals or personal supervision of a licensed director, a registered apprentice embalmer, or licensed embalmer, shall apply to persons related to the deceased by blood or marriage. Further, nothing in this section shall apply or in any manner interfere with the duties of any state officer or any employee of a local state institution.

D. Dead human remains shall be picked up on first call only under the direction and supervision of a licensed funeral director or embalmer. Dead human remains may be picked up or transferred without the personal supervision of a funeral director or embalmer; provided however, any inadvertent contact with family members or other persons shall be restricted to identifying the employer to the person, arranging an appointment with the employer for any person who indicates a desire to make funeral arrangements for the deceased and making any disclosure to the person that is required by any federal or state regulation. A funeral director or embalmer who directs the removal or transfer of dead human remains without providing personal supervision shall be held strictly accountable for compliance with the requirements of the Funeral Services Licensing Act.

Added by Laws 1989, c. 297, § 10, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 2003, c. 57, § 13, emerg. eff. April 10, 2003; Laws 2013, c. 97, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2013.