Section 144.34. Disinterment — permit.
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Disinterment of a dead body or fetus shall be allowed for the purpose of autopsy or reburial only, and then only if accomplished by a funeral director. A permit for such disinterment and, thereafter, reinterment shall be issued by the state registrar according to rules adopted pursuant to chapter 17A or when ordered by the district court of the county in which such body is buried. The state registrar, without a court order, shall not issue a permit without the consent of the person authorized to control the decedent’s remains under section 144C.5. Disinterment for the purpose of reburial may be allowed by court order only upon a showing of substantial benefit to the public. Disinterment for the purpose of autopsy or reburial by court order shall be allowed only when reasonable cause is shown that someone is criminally or civilly responsible for such death, after hearing, upon reasonable notice prescribed by the court to the person authorized to control the decedent’s remains under section 144C.5. Due consideration shall be given to the public health, the dead, and the feelings of relatives.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §2337, 2338; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §141.21, 141.22; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §144.34]