What paperwork is required before a cremation in Louisiana?

Louisiana law requires a funeral director to receive a properly completed cremation authorization form before arranging a cremation. The crematory receives authority to cremate when the statutory documentation is in place.

Do you need a funeral director in Louisiana?

Louisiana is one of the states identified by Funeral Consumers Alliance as requiring funeral-director involvement for important steps including death-certificate filing, body removal and transportation, and supervision of burial or cremation.

Louisiana · funeral and cremation law

Funeral and cremation law in Louisiana

Who decides, what has to wait, and what a funeral home must tell you. Every fact links to its statute. Not legal advice.

2 checked factsLast checked Sep 18, 2026Sourced to the statute

Paperwork before a cremation: Louisiana law requires a funeral director to receive a properly completed cremation authorization form before arranging a cremation. The crematory receives authority to cremate when the statutory documentation is in place.
La. Rev. Stat. § 37:877Read the statute · legis.la.govchecked Sep 18, 2026
When a funeral director is required: Louisiana is one of the states identified by Funeral Consumers Alliance as requiring funeral-director involvement for important steps including death-certificate filing, body removal and transportation, and supervision of burial or cremation.
La. Rev. Stat. § 37:848Read the source · funerals.orgchecked Sep 18, 2026

The estate letter · Louisiana

After the funeral: settling the estate, one month at a time

Twelve months of steps with Louisiana's own numbers and deadlines. Read the checklist now, or sign up there for one email a month.

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Month 1The first things to gather
Month 2Work out what the estate is
Month 3Get the authority to act
9 more months

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Estate checklist for Louisiana

After the funeral: what the executor does, month by month, with Louisiana's numbers and deadlines.

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