Commentary on Sections Cremation Section 50 – Requirements for carrying out cremation
135.This section sets out restrictions on the carrying out of a cremation. Subsection (1) provides that a person may not carry out a cremation unless the person is a cremation authority, an application for cremation has been granted and the cremation is carried out in a crematorium. For the purposes of this section “crematorium” is defined as a building fitted with equipment for the carrying out of cremations. This definition is distinct from that at section 46 in that it does not include land pertaining to the building. The effect of this is that a cremation cannot lawfully take place anywhere other than inside a crematorium building.
136.Subsection (2) provides that it is an offence to knowingly contravene these requirements. Subsection (3) provides that, on summary conviction, contravention attracts imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or both.