# Health - General (GHG)

## Title 5. Death

### Subtitle 5. Miscellaneous Provisions

#### Section 5-508

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Alkaline hydrolysis" has the meaning stated in Sec. 7-101 of the Health Occupations Article.

(c) "Authorizing agent" means the individual who has legal authority to arrange for and make decisions regarding the final disposition of a dead human body, including by cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction.

(d) "Cremation" means the disposition of a dead human body by means of incineration.

(e) "Crematory" has the meaning stated in Sec. 7-101 of the Health Occupations Article.

(f) "Decedent" means a dead human being.

(g) "Natural organic reduction" has the meaning stated in Sec. 7-101 of the Health Occupations Article.

(h) "Practitioner" means a person who is licensed by the State as a funeral director, mortician, or surviving spouse licensee to practice mortuary science.

(i) "Pre-need contract" means an agreement prior to the time of death between a consumer and a practitioner to provide any goods and services regarding the final disposition of a dead human body.

(j) "Reduction facility" has the meaning stated in Sec. 7-101 of the Health Occupations Article.

(k) "Soil remains" has the meaning stated in Sec. 7-101 of the Health Occupations Article.

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Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)