Ohio Code § 4717.30

§ 4717.30.

(A) A crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home is not

liable in damages in a civil action for any of the following actions or omissions,

unless the actions or omissions were made with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or

in a wanton or reckless manner or unless any of the conditions set forth in divisions

(B)(1) to (3) of this section apply: (1)(a) For having arranged or performed the cremation of the decedent, or having released

or disposed of the cremated remains, in accordance with the instructions set forth

in the cremation authorization form executed by the decedent on an antemortem basis

under section 4717.21 of the Revised Code ; (b) For having arranged or performed the cremation of the decedent or body parts removed

from the decedent or living person or having released or disposed of the cremated

remains in accordance with section 4717.27 of the Revised Code or the instructions set forth in a cremation authorization form executed by the person

authorized to serve as the authorizing agent for the cremation of the decedent or

for the cremation of body parts of the decedent or living person, named in the cremation

authorization form executed under section 4717.24 or 4717.25 of the Revised Code . (2) For having arranged or performed the cremation of the decedent, or having released

or disposed of the cremated remains, in accordance with section 4717.27 of the Revised Code or the instructions set forth in the cremation authorization form executed by a designated

agent under division (C) of section 4717.24 of the Revised Code . (B) The crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home is

not liable in damages in a civil action for refusing to accept a dead human body or

body parts or to perform a cremation under any of the following circumstances, unless

the refusal was made with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless

manner: (1) The crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home has

actual knowledge that there is a dispute regarding the cremation of the decedent or

body parts, until such time as the crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral

director, or funeral home receives an order of the probate court having jurisdiction

ordering the cremation of the decedent or body parts or until the crematory operator,

crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home receives from the parties to

the dispute a copy of a written agreement resolving the dispute and authorizing the

cremation to be performed. (2) The crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home has

a reasonable basis for questioning the accuracy of any of the information or statements

contained in a cremation authorization form executed under section 4717.21 , 4717.24 , or 4717.25 of the Revised Code , as applicable, that authorizes the cremation of the decedent or body parts. (3) The crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home has

any other lawful reason for refusing to accept the dead human body or body parts or

to perform the cremation. (C) A crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home is not

liable in damages in a civil action for refusing to release or dispose of the cremated

remains of a decedent or body parts when the crematory operator, crematory facility,

funeral director, or funeral home has actual knowledge that there is a dispute regarding

the release or final disposition of the cremated remains in connection with any damages

sustained, prior to the time the crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral home,

or funeral director receives an order of the probate court having jurisdiction ordering

the release or final disposition of the cremated remains, or prior to the time the

crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home receives

from the parties to the dispute a copy of a written agreement resolving the dispute

and authorizing the cremation to be performed. (D) A crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home is not

liable in damages in a civil action in connection with the cremation of, or disposition

of the cremated remains of, any dental gold, jewelry, or other items of value delivered

to the crematory facility or funeral home with a dead human body or body parts, unless

either or both of the following apply: (1) The cremation authorization form authorizing the cremation of the decedent or body

parts executed under section 4717.21 , 4717.24 , or 4717.25 of the Revised Code , as applicable, contains specific instructions for the removal or recovery and disposition

of any such dental gold, jewelry, or other items of value prior to the cremation,

and the crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home

has failed to comply with the written instructions. (2) The actions or omissions of the crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director,

or funeral home were made with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or

reckless manner. (E)(1) This section does not create a new cause of action against or substantive legal right

against a crematory operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home. (2) This section does not affect any immunities from civil liability or defenses established

by another section of the Revised Code or available at common law to which a crematory

operator, crematory facility, funeral director, or funeral home may be entitled under

circumstances not covered by this section.