Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2020

The chief health officer may, in writing, approve—

a container other than a coffin or eco-coffin as suitable for transporting, burying or cremating human remains; or

a wrapping other than a shroud as suitable for transporting, burying or cremating human remains.

The chief health officer may approve the container or wrapping—

at the officer’s own initiative; or

on application made under subsection (3).

A person may apply to the chief health officer for approval of a container or wrapping for transporting, burying or cremating human remains.

The application must be in writing and include anything else prescribed by regulation.

The chief health officer must—

accept the application; or

refuse the application.

The chief health officer may refuse to consider the application further if it is not in accordance with subsection (4).

The chief health officer may approve a container or wrapping only if satisfied—

that transporting, burying or cremating human remains in the container or wrapping is not contrary to public health; and

of anything else prescribed by regulation.

The approval may be subject to conditions.

If the chief health officer refuses the application, the chief health officer must tell the person, in writing, the reasons for the refusal.

For what must be included in a statement of reasons, see the Legislation Act, s 179.

An approval under subsection (2) (a) is a notifiable instrument.