§ 21-1151. Disposal of one's own body.

A.  Any person has the right to direct the manner in which his or her body shall be disposed of after death, and to direct the manner in which any part of his or her body which becomes separated therefrom during his or her lifetime shall be disposed of.  The provisions of Section 1151 et seq. of this title do not apply where such person has given directions for the disposal of his or her body or any part thereof inconsistent with these provisions.

B.  A person may assign the right to direct the manner in which his or her body shall be disposed of after death by executing a sworn affidavit stating the assignment of the right and the name of the person or persons to whom the right has been assigned.

C.  If the decedent died while serving in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Reserve Forces or the National Guard, and completed a United States Department of Defense Record of Emergency Data, DD Form 93, or its successor form, the person authorized by the decedent pursuant to that form shall have the right to bury the decedent or to provide other funeral and disposition arrangements, including but not limited to cremation.

D.  Any person who knowingly fails to follow the directions as to the manner in which the body of a person shall be disposed of pursuant to subsection  A, B or C of this section, upon conviction thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

R.L. 1910, § 2446.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 197, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1997; Laws 2011, c. 208, § 8, eff. Nov. 1, 2011.