PIERCE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER

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05/15/2026

PIERCE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR FINAL DISPOSITION

Pursuant to Pierce County Council Ordinance No. O2025-552 which created Pierce County Code Chapter 8.102 AUTHORIZATION FOR THE DISPOSITION OF HUMAN REMAINS, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office anticipates launching our Disposition Authorization Program (DAP) on June 1, 2026.

Sections:

8.102.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this Chapter is to establish a process for the Medical Examiner to authorize the disposition of human remains in accordance with RCW 68.50.108. This Chapter is intended to ensure compliance with state law, protect public health, and support timely, transparent procedures, while authorizing a reasonable fee to support administrative functions.

8.102.020 Definitions.

The definitions in this Section apply throughout this Chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

"Authorization" means the written consent of the Medical Examiner for the disposition of the human remains.

"Disposition" means the final disposition of human remains as defined in RCW 68.50.110 which includes, but is not limited to, burial, cremation, natural organic reduction, and alkaline hydrolysis.

"Medical Examiner" means the Pierce County Medical Examiner in PCC 2.06.010.J, or their designee.

8.102.030 Authorization Requirement.

A person shall not embalm, bury, cremate, or otherwise dispose of human remains of a decedent who died in Pierce County without receiving authorization from the Medical Examiner.

8.102.040 Application for Authorization.

A. A person must apply to the Medical Examiner to receive authorization for the disposition of human remains.

B. The Medical Examiner shall make the application for authorization readily available to the public, both online and in person.

C. The application shall include the following information:

1. Full name of the deceased;

2. Date and place of death;

3. Proposed method of disposition; and

4. A proof copy of the death certificate.

D. The Medical Examiner may require additional information necessary to review and process the application.

8.102.050 Fee.

A. The person submitting the application shall pay the fee established in PCC 4.58.070 at the time the application is submitted.

B. The Medical Examiner may approve an alternate billing arrangement if requested.

C. The fee is nonrefundable.

8.102.060 Issuance of Authorization.

A. Upon receipt of a complete application and the required fee, the Medical Examiner shall review the application to determine whether immediate issuance of the authorization is appropriate.

B. In cases where the Medical Examiner determines death is natural and no further investigation is necessary, the Medical Examiner shall promptly approve the application and issue the authorization.

C. If the circumstances of the death require further investigation or if the Medical Examiner determines additional investigation is warranted, the Medical Examiner will withhold authorization pending completion of necessary investigative steps, such as a forensic postmortem examination, the issuance of a new death certificate, or other actions by the Medical Examiner.

D. Upon completion of the investigation, the Medical Examiner shall issue the authorization.

E. If the application is ultimately denied, the Medical Examiner shall provide the applicant with a written notice stating the reasons for the denial.