Texas Statutes
Subchapter I. Practice by License Holder
Section 651.401. First Call; Removal of Body

Sec. 651.401. FIRST CALL; REMOVAL OF BODY. (a) First call occurs at the beginning of a relationship between a funeral director and a person authorized by Section 711.002, Health and Safety Code, to control the disposition of the decedent's remains.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (c), a funeral director must direct the pickup of a dead human body under this chapter.
(c) A dead human body may be transferred without a funeral director directing the transfer at the direction of a justice of the peace or other law enforcement official.
(d) A funeral director may direct an unlicensed person, a provisional license holder, or an embalmer in the removal of a dead human body. A funeral director who directs the removal of a dead human body by an unlicensed person is strictly accountable for compliance with the requirements of this chapter. If an unlicensed person, a provisional license holder, or an embalmer inadvertently encounters a family member or other person with whom funeral arrangements are normally made, the person shall restrict communication with the family member or other person to:
(1) identifying the person's employer; and
(2) making any disclosure to the family member or other person that is required by federal or state law or regulation.
Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.386(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 124 (H.B. 1540), Sec. 25, eff. September 1, 2019.

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