Funeral and cremation law in Vermont

A Vermont disposition facility cannot cremate a body until at least 24 hours have passed since the time of death shown on the death certificate. The same wait applies to natural organic reduction. A Health Department rule may require earlier cremation for a virulent communicable disease, and cremation can be delayed at the request of the Attorney General or a State's Attorney. A medical examiner certificate is also required before any cremation.

18 V.S.A. § 5201(b)Read the statute · legislature.vermont.govchecked Oct 7, 2026

The person with the legal right to decide is not automatically the person who happens to be arranging the funeral. When the person who died left no written directive, Vermont law sets a priority list for who decides the location, manner and conditions of disposition. First in line is anyone the person appointed in an advance directive, then the surviving spouse, then the children. A person in line loses the right by not acting within three days of being notified or five days after the death, whichever is earlier.

18 V.S.A. § 5227Read the statute · legislature.vermont.govchecked Oct 7, 2026

In Vermont an adult can use an advance directive to direct how their remains are handled, name the funeral goods and services they want, and appoint someone to arrange the disposition. The directive must be dated, signed and witnessed by two adults. The appointed person must follow the written instructions, and funeral directors and crematory operators who know of the directive must follow it, with narrow exceptions.

18 V.S.A. §§ 9702(a)(16) and (18), 9703Read the statute · legislature.vermont.govchecked Oct 7, 2026