Funeral Establishment and Embalming Facility Operation, Sanitation, and Equipment Standards
Establishment license and responsible charge
A funeral establishment must hold a current license, be under the responsible charge of a licensed FSP, and pass board inspection. The establishment must have a preparation room, arrangement space, and secure holding facilities.
Preparation room and sanitation
OAR chapter 830 requires an embalming room with impervious, cleanable floors and walls; an embalming table; a hand-washing sink; instrument storage; proper ventilation; and refrigeration capable of holding remains at the required temperature. Surfaces must be disinfected between cases. Equipment must be maintained in working order, and chemicals stored safely. A funeral establishment may not hold an unembalmed body beyond the rule’s time limit unless refrigerated.
Body holding
The practical rule is that an unembalmed body held more than 24 hours must be refrigerated or embalmed. If the body is embalmed, the establishment must document the procedure and authorization. Holding rooms must be secure from public access.
Worked example
A body arrives at 10 a.m. Tuesday and the funeral is Saturday. Because the body is unembalmed and will be held well beyond 24 hours, the establishment must refrigerate it or embalm it. If the family refused embalming and the establishment simply left the body on a table, that is a sanitation and holding violation even if the room is clean.
Traps
Do not confuse refrigeration with embalming-either can satisfy holding rules, but viewing requirements may add conditions. Do not assume a home-style preparation room is acceptable. Do not overlook the need for a licensed practitioner in charge when the owner is not licensed.