(a)  Any licensed funeral director/embalmer employed, authorized, and empowered by the division of professional regulation may enter any funeral establishment, funeral-establishment branch office, or crematory licensed under the provisions of this chapter, during the hours the funeral establishment, funeral-establishment branch office, or crematory is open for business, for the purpose of inspecting the sanitary conditions, complaint investigations, and ascertaining if the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations are being observed in the operation of the funeral establishment, funeral-establishment branch office, or crematory. The inspector may request permission from the department to be accompanied by another employee of the department of health prior to an inspection. Failure or refusal of the person in charge of that funeral establishment, funeral-establishment branch office, or crematory to permit the inspection at all reasonable times shall be deemed sufficient cause for the revocation of any license issued to the funeral establishment, funeral-establishment branch office, or crematory and any certificate of approval issued by the division.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 5-33.2-13

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Department: means the Rhode Island department of health. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-33.2-1
  • Division: means the division of professional regulation created under chapter 26 of this title. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-33.2-1
  • Funeral: means a period following death in which there are religious services or other rites or ceremonies with the body of the deceased present. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-33.2-1
  • Funeral establishment: means a fixed place, establishment, or premises, licensed by the department, devoted to the activities that are incident, convenient, or related to the care and preparation, arrangement, financial and otherwise, for the funeral, transportation, burial, or other disposition of human dead bodies and including, but not limited to, a suitable room with all instruments and supplies used for the storage or preparation of dead human bodies for burial or other disposition. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-33.2-1
  • Person: includes individuals, partnerships, corporations, limited-liability companies, associations, and organizations of all kinds. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-33.2-1

(b)  Funeral establishments and branch offices and crematories licensed under the provisions of this chapter shall be inspected at least twice each year. Inspections shall include all areas of sanitation and public health, complaint investigations, as well as conformity with applicable section of this chapter and the rules and regulations.

History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 255, § 2.