Section 1250.240  Chain of Custody Records

A licensee shall establish a chain of custody record to ensure the proper tracking and transfer of human remains, which shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

a)         A unique identifier, specific to each funeral establishment or funeral business, that shall be attached to the remains, shall accompany the remains on each step of the respective disposition process.  A copy of the unique identifier shall be affixed to the casket or alternative container prior to delivery to the crematorium.

b)         The licensee, as part of the recordkeeping requirement, verifying the identification of the remains upon:

1)         Assuming custody of the remains;

2)         Prior to and following storage of said remains;

3)         Transfers to and from the crematorium, recording the unique identifier assigned by the crematorium on the chain of custody record;

4)         Transfers to and from the funeral establishment or funeral business;

5)         Transfers to and from a separately owned funeral establishment or funeral business, recording the unique identifier of both the transferring and receiving funeral establishment or funeral business; and

6)         Transportation of remains to their place of final disposition.

c)         If the remains in subsection (a) are separated, additional tracking tags containing the unique identifier shall be similarly placed with all containers holding remains.

d)         Maintenance of the chain of custody records for a minimum of 5 years.

e)         Utilization of electronic or paper based tracking systems to comply with this Section, so long as the Department has the ability to audit the files.

(Source:  Added at 49 Ill. Reg. 16260, effective December 10, 2025)