{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-5-508","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Health - General § 5–508","heading":"","body":"(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.\n(b) “Alkaline hydrolysis” has the meaning stated in § 5–101 of the Business Regulation Article.\n(c) “Authorizing agent” means the individual who has legal authority to arrange for and make decisions regarding the final disposition of a dead human body, including by cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction.\n(d) “Cremation” means the disposition of a dead human body by means of incineration.\n(e) “Crematory” has the meaning stated in § 5–101 of the Business Regulation Article.\n(f) “Decedent” means a dead human being.\n(g) “Natural organic reduction” has the meaning stated in § 5–101 of the Business Regulation Article.\n(h) “Practitioner” means a person who is licensed by the State as a funeral director, mortician, or surviving spouse licensee to practice mortuary science.\n(i) “Pre–need contract” means an agreement prior to the time of death between a consumer and a practitioner to provide any goods and services regarding the final disposition of a dead human body.\n(j) “Reduction facility” has the meaning stated in § 5–101 of the Business Regulation Article.\n(k) “Soil remains” has the meaning stated in § 5–101 of the Business Regulation Article.","path":["Article - Health - General"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ghg\u0026section=5-508","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:48Z","sha256":"95c2768c963738bcd4289ae09c87dbaa3b6f6305218ddd51def96f85bb321808","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-5-507","next":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-5-509"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}