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. 

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. 

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

📧 VRO@ph.lacounty.gov

💻 Los Angeles Vital Records Office Website