§ 5–511
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 5-511 (2026)
Title 5. Death
Subtitle 5. Miscellaneous Provisions
§ 5–511LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A practitioner and an operator of a crematory or reduction facility may rely on the representations made by an authorizing agent and are not guarantors of the reliability of those representations.
(b)
A practitioner and an operator of a crematory or reduction facility have no responsibility to contact or to independently investigate the existence of any next of kin of the decedent.
(c)
An individual may file a petition with the appropriate court to obtain the authority to be authorizing agent:
(1)
If the individual alleges that permitting one or more of the individuals with priority under § 5-509(c) of this subtitle to authorize arrangements for the final disposition of the body of a decedent may cause substantial injustice; or
(2)
If, considering all the circumstances, an individual other than an individual with priority under § 5-509(c) of this subtitle had a closer personal affinity to the decedent and should be allowed to make the arrangements.
(d)
Pending the outcome of a petition filed under this section, a practitioner shall suspend any arrangements with the individuals under § 5-509(c) of this subtitle.