Commentary on Sections Pregnancy loss on or before 24 weeks Section 83 – Appropriate health authority authorised to make arrangements
219.Section 83 applies when a health authority has been authorised by the woman who experienced the pregnancy loss or her nominated representative to make the arrangements for the burial or cremation of the remains of the fetus. It requires the health authority to make arrangements for burial or cremation of the remains after the expiry of the period of 7 days beginning with the day on which the woman or her nominated representative informed the health authority to make arrangements to dispose of the remains.
220.The health authority is required to carry out the disposal in accordance with the manner agreed by virtue of sections 79(2)(c)(i), 80(2) or 81(2)(a)(i). These sections cover the range of situations where the health authority is making arrangements, whether because they have been authorised to do so by the woman or her nominated representative, or because no decision has otherwise been made.
221.Subsection (3) enables the person who authorises the health authority to specify that they do not wish the health authority to wait 7 days before making arrangements for the disposal of the remains. If this is not done, the health authority will be required to wait for 7 days from being authorised to make the disposal arrangements. The delay allows the person who authorises the health authority to change his or her decision before arrangements are made for the burial or cremation of the remains.