The bill amends New Mexico's laws on cremation and funeral services by expanding the definition of "cremation" to include both traditional methods and nontraditional processes, such as reduction by chemical agents or biological processes. It introduces new legal language defining "cremation" as the reduction of a dead human body by direct flame, chemical agent, or biological processing to a residue or soil that may include bone fragments. Additionally, individuals are now allowed to specify their preferred type of cremation in their written authorization, providing greater clarity and options for end-of-life decisions. The bill also updates definitions within the Funeral Services Act, incorporating terms like "alkaline hydrolysis" and "natural organic reduction," and clarifying the definitions of "crematory" and "cremated remains."

Moreover, the bill establishes new licensing and operational requirements for funeral establishments, direct disposition establishments, and crematories. It mandates that direct disposition establishments have a refrigeration unit, necessary supplies for handling unembalmed bodies, and an office for business operations. Crematories must have specific facilities based on the type of cremation they perform, with traditional methods requiring a cremation retort and pulverizing unit, while nontraditional methods must include appliances for alkaline hydrolysis or natural organic reduction. The bill also introduces provisions for the authorization of cremation, allowing individuals to specify their preferences in notarized or witnessed statements, clarifies the hierarchy of individuals authorized to determine disposition if no instructions are left, and requires licensed establishments to maintain accurate records of cremations for at least seven years. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and enhance the regulatory framework governing funeral and cremation services in New Mexico.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 24-12A-1, 58-17-3, 61-32-3, 61-32-11, 61-32-19, 61-32-19.1