Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 45:7-95

  • Decedent: A deceased person.
  • person: includes corporations, companies, associations, societies, firms, partnerships and joint stock companies as well as individuals, unless restricted by the context to an individual as distinguished from a corporate entity or specifically restricted to one or some of the above enumerated synonyms and, when used to designate the owner of property which may be the subject of an offense, includes this State, the United States, any other State of the United States as defined infra and any foreign country or government lawfully owning or possessing property within this State. See New Jersey Statutes 1:1-2
41. A funeral director may permit the funeral, disinterment or disposition of human remains on the written authorization of a person who claims to be, and is believed to be, a person who has the right to control the funeral, disinterment or disposition as provided by sections 22 and 23 of P.L.2003, c.261 (C. 45:27-22 and C. 45:27-23). A cemetery or funeral director shall not be liable for the funeral, disinterment or disposition pursuant to this authorization unless it had reasonable notice that the person did not have the right to control the funeral, disinterment or disposition. If there are no known living relatives, a funeral director may rely on the written authorization of any person acting in good faith on behalf of the decedent.

A person who signs an authorization for the funeral, disinterment or disposition of human remains warrants the truth of the facts stated, the identity of the person whose remains are disposed, and the authority to order the funeral, disinterment or disposition. A cemetery or funeral director shall not be liable for the funeral, disinterment or disposition in accordance with the authorization unless it had reasonable notice that the representations were untrue or that the person lacked the right to control the funeral, disinterment or disposition.

L.2003,c.261,s.41.