Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

37.   Disposal of ashes

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    (1)   Before the cremation of human remains, an agreement shall be made between the licensee and the person requesting the cremation concerning the disposal of the ashes after the cremation.

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    (2)   Where the agreement stipulates that the ashes are to be disposed of by the person who requested the cremation, the ashes shall be collected from the licensee by that person.

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    (3)   Where the person who requested the cremation does not collect the ashes under subsection (2), the licensee shall issue a notice to collect in the prescribed form within 14 days of the cremation.

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    (4)   Where the agreement stipulates that the person who requested the cremation does not collect the ashes, or the person who requested the cremation does not collect the ashes in accordance with the notice to collect under subsection (3), the ashes shall be retained by the licensee and must be interred —

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      (a)     in a burial ground; or

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      (b)     on land designated for the purpose.

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    (5)   Notwithstanding subsection (4), a licensee may with the approval of a local authority dispose of ashes emanating from a cremation by —

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      (a)     throwing the ashes in the sea or at the mouth of a river in a place not less than half a kilometre from any public bathing beach; or

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      (b)     burying it on private property.

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    (6)   A person who disposes of any ashes emanating from a cremation of human remains contrary to this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year.