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After you lose someone close to you, you want to give them the memorial they deserve. When planning the service and monument, it’s important to understand your legal rights and responsibilities so you can honor your loved one according to their wishes. To help simplify this difficult process, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about burial and funeral laws in Connecticut. 

A Guide to Burial & Funeral Laws in Connecticut 

How do I get a death certificate? 

Generally, the death certificate will be filed by the funeral home, cremation organization, or other person in charge of the remains. You’ll likely want to obtain copies of the certificate for your personal records or for claiming properties or benefits such as life insurance proceeds and Social Security benefits. At the time of death, ask the person or organization that filed the certificate to order copies for you. If time has passed since the death, you can obtain a copy for about $20 by contacting the Vital Records Office or town hall in the area where the death occurred.

Is embalming necessary? 

monumentsYou do not need to embalm the deceased unless they died of a contagious disease, they’ll be transported by air, or you are having a viewing at calling hours. While some people assume embalming is the only way to delay decomposition for an open casket funeral or home funeral, refrigeration will achieve the same effect. However, some funeral homes require embalming for open casket funerals or for holding a body for more than 48 hours; thus, if you don’t want to have your loved one embalmed, look for a funeral home with no embalming requirements. You could also arrange a home funeral, though in Connecticut you must employ a funeral director to file the necessary permits and, in some cases, oversee the disposition.

Where can I bury the deceased?

You can bury the deceased in a cemetery or on private land if permitted by local zoning laws (and by the landowner if it’s not your property). 

Where can I scatter ashes?

You can scatter ashes on private land if permitted by the landowner. When scattering ashes in rural, uninhabited public land, scatter at least 100 yards away from trails and developed facilities. When scattering ashes at sea, scatter three nautical miles off the coast and remove them from the container if it’s not easily biodegradable. You must notify the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) within 30 days of scattering ashes at sea. You can also scatter ashes by air as long as you remove them from the container. 
 

Honor your loved one with a beautiful, custom monument from Tri-County Memorials. Serving those east of the Connecticut River, these memorial specialists have provided gravestones, headstones, and other monuments in a wide variety of designs since 1973. They also offer comprehensive cleaning and repair services. Learn more about their offerings online, and call the Waterford location at (860) 443-8744, the Norwich location at (860) 886-6200, and the Willimantic location at (860) 456-8658 to discuss your needs with a caring team member.

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