Who can issue a disinterment application?

The correct response is that the Department of Public Health is responsible for issuing a disinterment application. This is because the disinterment process is governed by regulations that involve public health and safety concerns. The Department of Public Health oversees these regulations to ensure that disinterments are conducted in accordance with state laws, as they can have implications for health risks, respectful handling of remains, and compliance with legal requirements.

When a disinterment application is filed, it typically requires approval to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the removal of human remains meet the necessary legal and health standards. The involvement of the Department of Public Health helps safeguard the interests of both the deceased and the living, ensuring that any disinterment is performed in a manner that is lawful and respectful.

In contrast, while cemetery management may maintain operational oversight of burial sites, they typically do not have the authority to issue disinterment applications. Local police departments and local government officials also do not hold this authority, as their roles are primarily focused on law enforcement and local governance, rather than public health regulatory matters.