Los Angeles Disposition of Human Remains Permit
What is a disposition of human remains permit?
In order for the California government to keep track of the deceased, any movement or activities (such as entering, moving, and or leaving the area) of the remains requires a Permit for Disposition of Human Remains. Movement and activities also means that burials at sea need to be registered with the state.
How can I get a disposition of human remains permit?
How you collect the disposition of human remains can vary depending on the situation of the deceased:
How to collect a permit if the deceased was cremated in Los Angeles County
A Disposition of Human Remains Permit should be included in the paperwork from the funeral home or crematorium establishment. Meaning, if you have the remains already you likely already have a disposition of human remains permit.
Alternatively, if you are still waiting to receive the remains then you will need to wait until you can pick up the deceased and the paperwork that goes along with it. You can always call the establishment and confirm that the permit will be provided.
🛥️ If it wasn’t known that the family would like a burial at sea service at the time of receiving the permit, you can reach back out to the funeral establishment and ask for it to be updated.
How to collect a permit if the deceased was NOT cremated in Los Angeles County
According to the state of California it is required to keep track of where remains whether they were residents or if they entered the state after their passing. To get a Los Angeles disposition of human remains permit for remains that were not processed in California families have 2 options to have a permit created.
Option 1, Go to the vital records office and have a permit created for the deceased. This must be done in person with the death certificate of the departed.
Option 2, Reach out to any LA funeral home or crematorium to have a permit created. This can be done digitally and requires nothing to be done in person.
🛥️What does a Disposition of Human Remains Permit need to include for a burial at sea to be performed?
Any burial at sea in the state of california, must indicate the intent to scatter on the disposition of human remains permit, in box 16A.
16A text must say something to the effect of:
“burial at sea off the coast of (Insert name of county) county.”
PlEASE FIND AN EXAMPLE OF A CORRECT 16A BELOW:
What does a Los Angeles County Disposition of Human Remains look like?
Can I use an out of state disposition of human remains permit for a burial at sea in Los Angeles?
The state of california requires all bodies being laid to rest in California need to have a disposition of human remains permit. This allows the state to keep track of where remains are going. Meaning that If the ashes are from out of the county of LA,the state of California, or the country of the United States, then a California disposition of human remains permit will need to be created for the deceased.
The permit can be created at the vital records office or by any local funeral home or crematorium.
Who is responsible for the disposition during a burial at sea?
The legally authorized Person in Charge of remains retains full responsibility and authority over the disposition at all times. While vessel crew may assist with operational tasks such as positioning and lowering, they act solely in a support capacity and do not assume responsibility for the disposition itself. The Person in Charge of Disposition remains the final decision-maker throughout the process and is responsible for ensuring that all applicable federal, state, and maritime regulations are met.
What do I do with the Disposition of human remains?
Copy 1 — Accompanies remains to the stated place of disposition. The person in charge of disposition is responsible for completing and forwarding the permit within 30 days of disposition to the registrar of the district in which disposition occurred, or the district nearest the point where the cremated remains were scattered if by sea.
ℹ️ Client Responsibility: After the disposition, the client, as the legally authorized Person in Charge, is responsible for completing and submitting the permit within 30 days of disposition to the registrar
Copy 2 — Retained by the person in charge of the cemetery, crematory, facility for scientific use, or by the person in charge of disposing of the cremated remains.
Copy 3 — Returned to the county of death when the remains are disposed of in another district. If not applicable, Copy 3 may be discarded.
Copy 4 — Retained by the registrar issuing the permit.
How to pick up a Los Angeles County Disposition of Human Remains Permit?
The Disposition of Human Remains Permit can be created at the Vital Records office. For the permit to be created someone needs to come in person to the office with the relevant documentation. After the information is presented to the office they will provide the permit immediately on site, there is no wait time.
The office will need to have the following information and documents to process the permit:
🔲 An original death certificate (or a true copy) or an original transit/burial permit
🔲 The full name (of the deceased)
🔲 Date of birth (of the deceased)
🔲 Date of death
🔲 Location of death (City, County, and State)
What are the costs for a disposition of human remains permit?
The cost of the Disposition of Human Remains Permit varies based on the method chosen to have the permit created.
Via the Vital Records directly, to have a permit created the cost is: $12.00 (They accept cash, credit, or check)
Alternatively, if a family is unable to go to the office and obtain the permit directly the cost from a funeral home or crematorium establish will very, but you can expect the cost to be: $100+
Where can I pick up a disposition of human remains permit?
Pickup Location:
DPH Vital Records Office
313 North Figueroa Street
Room Lobby-1
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Office Hours:
Open Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Who can I contact for more information about the disposition of human remains permit?
For More information please reach out to the Vital Records Office directly:
📞 Phone Number (213) 288-7816
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