ORS 97.130
Right to control disposition of remains

  • delegation

(1)

Any individual of sound mind who is 18 years of age or older, by completion of a written signed instrument or by preparing or prearranging with any funeral service practitioner licensed under ORS chapter 692, may direct any lawful manner of disposition of the individual’s remains. Except as provided under subsection (7) of this section, disposition directions or disposition prearrangements that are prepaid or that are filed with a funeral service practitioner licensed under ORS chapter 692 are not subject to cancellation or substantial revision.

(2)

A person within the first applicable listed class among the following listed classes that is available at the time of death, in the absence of actual notice of a contrary direction by the decedent as described under subsection (1) of this section or actual notice of opposition by completion of a written instrument by a member of the same class or a member of a prior class, may direct any lawful manner of disposition of a decedent’s remains by completion of a written instrument:

(a)

The spouse of the decedent.

(b)

A son or daughter of the decedent 18 years of age or older.

(c)

Either parent of the decedent.

(d)

A brother or sister of the decedent 18 years of age or older.

(e)

A guardian of the decedent at the time of death.

(f)

A person in the next degree of kindred to the decedent.

(g)

The personal representative of the estate of the decedent.

(h)

The person nominated as the personal representative of the decedent in the decedent’s last will.

(i)

A public health officer.

(3)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

The decedent or any person authorized in subsection (2) of this section to direct the manner of disposition of the decedent’s remains may delegate such authority to any person 18 years of age or older.

(b)

Delegation of the authority to direct the manner of disposition of remains must be made by completion of:

(A)

The written instrument described in subsection (8) of this section; or

(B)

The form described in subsection (4) of this section.

(c)

The person to whom the authority is delegated has the same authority under subsection (2) of this section as the person delegating the authority.

(4)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

A Record of Emergency Data, DD Form 93, or a successor form recognized by the Armed Forces of the United States, as that term is defined in ORS 366.931 (Roadside memorial signs), completed by a member of the Armed Forces of the United States serves as a valid written instrument for purposes of subsection (3) of this section.

(b)

In accordance with United States Department of Defense Instruction 1300.18, a member of the Armed Forces of the United States shall complete the form described in this subsection and shall verify the accuracy of the form at least annually.

(c)

The form described in this subsection, regardless of the date on which the form was signed, supersedes any other written instrument that directs the disposition of the decedent’s remains.

(5)

Except as provided in subsection (4)(c) of this section, if a decedent or the decedent’s designee issues more than one authorization or direction for the disposal of the decedent’s remains, only the most recent authorization or direction is binding.

(6)

A donation of anatomical gifts under ORS 97.951 (Short title) to 97.982 (Alteration of document of anatomical gift prohibited) takes priority over directions for the disposition of a decedent’s remains under this section only if the person making the donation is of a priority under subsection (1) or (2) of this section the same as or higher than the priority of the person directing the disposition of the remains.

(7)

If the decedent directs a disposition under subsection (1) of this section and those financially responsible for the disposition are without sufficient funds to pay for such disposition or the estate of the decedent has insufficient funds to pay for the disposition, or if the direction is unlawful, the direction is void and disposition shall be in accordance with the direction provided by the person given priority in subsection (2) of this section and who agrees to be financially responsible.

(8)

The signature of the individual delegating the authority to direct the manner of disposition is required for the completion of the written instrument required in subsection (3)(b)(A) of this section. The following form or a form substantially similar shall be used by all individuals:

I, __________________, appoint __________________, whose address is _______________ and whose telephone number is (___) _________, as the person to make all decisions regarding the disposition of my remains upon my death for my burial, cremation or alternative disposition. In the event ____________ is unable to act, I appoint ____________, whose address is
__________________ and whose telephone number is (___) _________, as my alternate person to make all decisions regarding the disposition of my remains upon my death for my burial, cremation or alternative disposition.
It is my intent that this Appointment of Person to Make Decisions Concerning Disposition of Remains act as and be accepted as the written authorization presently required by ORS 97.130 (Right to control disposition of remains) (or its corresponding future provisions) or any other provision of Oregon Law, authorizing me to name a person to have authority to dispose of my remains.
DATED this ___ day of ______, _____.
__________________
We declare that ____________ is personally known to us, that he/she signed this Appointment of Person to Make Decisions Concerning Disposition of Remains in our presence, that he/she appeared to be of sound mind and not acting under duress, fraud or undue influence, and that neither of us is the person so appointed by this document.
Witnessed By:
_______________ Date: _____
Witnessed By:
_______________ Date: _____

(9)

Subject to the provisions of ORS 97.951 (Short title) to 97.982 (Alteration of document of anatomical gift prohibited), if disposition of the remains of a decedent has not been directed and authorized under this section within 10 days after the date of the death of the decedent, a public health officer may direct and authorize disposition of the remains.

(10)

Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, a person arrested for or charged with criminal homicide by reason of the death of the decedent may not direct the disposition of the decedent’s remains. The disposition of the decedent’s remains shall be made in accordance with the directions of an eligible person within the first applicable class established under subsection (2) of this section.

(11)

Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3) of this section, if the person who has the authority to direct the manner of disposition of cremated or reduced remains pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) of this section transfers any portion of the cremated or reduced remains to another person, the recipient of the cremated or reduced remains has the authority to direct the manner of disposition of the cremated or reduced remains in the recipient’s possession. [Amended by 1969 c.175 §10; 1969 c.591 §279; 1973 c.823 §97; 1995 c.717 §10; 1997 c.472 §1; 1999 c.201 §5; 2007 c.373 §1; 2007 c.681 §24; 2011 c.154 §1; 2011 c.164 §1; 2019 c.83 §1; 2019 c.384 §12a; 2021 c.296 §§2,3]
Note: The amendments to 97.130 (Right to control disposition of remains) by section 3, chapter 296, Oregon Laws 2021, become operative July 1, 2022. See section 33, chapter 296, Oregon Laws 2021. The text that is operative until July 1, 2022, is set forth for the user’s convenience.
97.130 (Right to control disposition of remains). (1) Any individual of sound mind who is 18 years of age or older, by completion of a written signed instrument or by preparing or prearranging with any funeral service practitioner licensed under ORS chapter 692, may direct any lawful manner of disposition of the individual’s remains. Except as provided under subsection (7) of this section, disposition directions or disposition prearrangements that are prepaid or that are filed with a funeral service practitioner licensed under ORS chapter 692 are not subject to cancellation or substantial revision.

(2)

A person within the first applicable listed class among the following listed classes that is available at the time of death, in the absence of actual notice of a contrary direction by the decedent as described under subsection (1) of this section or actual notice of opposition by completion of a written instrument by a member of the same class or a member of a prior class, may direct any lawful manner of disposition of a decedent’s remains by completion of a written instrument:

(a)

The spouse of the decedent.

(b)

A son or daughter of the decedent 18 years of age or older.

(c)

Either parent of the decedent.

(d)

A brother or sister of the decedent 18 years of age or older.

(e)

A guardian of the decedent at the time of death.

(f)

A person in the next degree of kindred to the decedent.

(g)

The personal representative of the estate of the decedent.

(h)

The person nominated as the personal representative of the decedent in the decedent’s last will.

(i)

A public health officer.

(3)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

The decedent or any person authorized in subsection (2) of this section to direct the manner of disposition of the decedent’s remains may delegate such authority to any person 18 years of age or older.

(b)

Delegation of the authority to direct the manner of disposition of remains must be made by completion of:

(A)

The written instrument described in subsection (8) of this section; or

(B)

The form described in subsection (4) of this section.

(c)

The person to whom the authority is delegated has the same authority under subsection (2) of this section as the person delegating the authority.

(4)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

A Record of Emergency Data, DD Form 93, or a successor form recognized by the Armed Forces of the United States, as that term is defined in ORS 366.931 (Roadside memorial signs), completed by a member of the Armed Forces of the United States serves as a valid written instrument for purposes of subsection (3) of this section.

(b)

In accordance with United States Department of Defense Instruction 1300.18, a member of the Armed Forces of the United States shall complete the form described in this subsection and shall verify the accuracy of the form at least annually.

(c)

The form described in this subsection, regardless of the date on which the form was signed, supersedes any other written instrument that directs the disposition of the decedent’s remains.

(5)

Except as provided in subsection (4)(c) of this section, if a decedent or the decedent’s designee issues more than one authorization or direction for the disposal of the decedent’s remains, only the most recent authorization or direction is binding.

(6)

A donation of anatomical gifts under ORS 97.951 (Short title) to 97.982 (Alteration of document of anatomical gift prohibited) takes priority over directions for the disposition of a decedent’s remains under this section only if the person making the donation is of a priority under subsection (1) or (2) of this section the same as or higher than the priority of the person directing the disposition of the remains.

(7)

If the decedent directs a disposition under subsection (1) of this section and those financially responsible for the disposition are without sufficient funds to pay for such disposition or the estate of the decedent has insufficient funds to pay for the disposition, or if the direction is unlawful, the direction is void and disposition shall be in accordance with the direction provided by the person given priority in subsection (2) of this section and who agrees to be financially responsible.

(8)

The signature of the individual delegating the authority to direct the manner of disposition is required for the completion of the written instrument required in subsection (3)(b)(A) of this section. The following form or a form substantially similar shall be used by all individuals:

I, __________________, appoint __________________, whose address is _______________ and whose telephone number is (___) _________, as the person to make all decisions regarding the disposition of my remains upon my death for my burial or cremation. In the event ____________ is unable to act, I appoint ____________, whose address is __________________ and whose telephone number is (___) _________, as my alternate person to make all decisions regarding the disposition of my remains upon my death for my burial or cremation.
It is my intent that this Appointment of Person to Make Decisions Concerning Disposition of Remains act as and be accepted as the written authorization presently required by ORS 97.130 (Right to control disposition of remains) (or its corresponding future provisions) or any other provision of Oregon Law, authorizing me to name a person to have authority to dispose of my remains.
DATED this ___ day of ______, _____.
__________________
We declare that ____________ is personally known to us, that he/she signed this Appointment of Person to Make Decisions Concerning Disposition of Remains in our presence, that he/she appeared to be of sound mind and not acting under duress, fraud or undue influence, and that neither of us is the person so appointed by this document.
Witnessed By:
_______________ Date: _____
Witnessed By:
_______________ Date: _____

(9)

Subject to the provisions of ORS 97.951 (Short title) to 97.982 (Alteration of document of anatomical gift prohibited), if disposition of the remains of a decedent has not been directed and authorized under this section within 10 days after the date of the death of the decedent, a public health officer may direct and authorize disposition of the remains.

(10)

Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, a person arrested for or charged with criminal homicide by reason of the death of the decedent may not direct the disposition of the decedent’s remains. The disposition of the decedent’s remains shall be made in accordance with the directions of an eligible person within the first applicable class established under subsection (2) of this section.

(11)

Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3) of this section, if the person who has the authority to direct the manner of disposition of cremated remains pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) of this section transfers any portion of the cremated remains to another person, the recipient of the cremated remains has the authority to direct the manner of disposition of the cremated remains in the recipient’s possession.

Source: Section 97.130 — Right to control disposition of remains; delegation, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors097.­html.

97.010
Definitions
97.020
Exemption of certain organizations and cemeteries from certain sections of chapter
97.030
Vested rights not acquired
97.040
Private family burial grounds
97.082
Consent for certain autopsies
97.110
Human remains not to be attached
97.120
Human remains to be deposited in accordance with ORS 97.010 to 97.040, 97.110 to 97.450, 97.510 to 97.730, 97.810 to 97.920 and 97.990
97.130
Right to control disposition of remains
97.145
Liability for failure to conform to written instrument directing control of remains
97.150
Disposition of cremated remains
97.153
Diagnostic or therapeutic radioisotopes in body
97.160
Duty of hospital or sanitarium to notify before sending remains to undertaker
97.170
Disposition of unclaimed body of deceased person
97.180
Period within which body may not be used or dismembered
97.190
Post-mortem examination of body
97.200
Disposition of remains after use
97.210
Exceptions to application of ORS 97.170 to 97.200
97.220
Disinterment
97.223
Interment or temporary storage of human remains in case of natural disaster or other emergency
97.310
Survey and subdivision of land
97.320
Filing map or plat and declaration of dedication of land to cemetery purposes
97.330
When dedication is complete
97.340
Effect of dedication
97.350
Dedication to cemetery purposes not invalid
97.360
Resurvey and alteration in shape or size
97.370
Fixing date of hearing
97.380
Hearing
97.390
Assessment of benefits and damages
97.400
Disposal of newly created lots
97.410
Right of adjacent lot owner upon vacation of way
97.420
Effect of failure to object
97.430
Declaration of exercise of police power and right of eminent domain
97.440
Removal of dedication
97.445
Vacating county interest in cemetery real property
97.450
Discontinuance of cemetery and removal of remains and markers
97.460
Requirements for establishment of cemetery or burial park
97.510
Sale and conveyance of plots by cemetery authority
97.520
Sale or offer to sell cemetery plot upon promise of resale at financial profit
97.530
Commission, bonus or rebate for sale of plot or services
97.540
Commission, bonus or rebate for recommendation of cemetery
97.550
Plots are indivisible
97.560
Presumption of sole ownership in grantee of plot
97.570
Spouse has vested right of interment
97.580
Divestiture of spouse’s right of interment
97.590
Transfer of plot or right of interment
97.600
Descent of plot
97.610
Determining occupant of burial plot having co-owners
97.620
Death of co-owner
97.630
Family plots
97.640
Waiver or termination of vested right of interment
97.650
Limitations upon vested right of interment
97.660
Lands of cemetery, crematory or reduction corporation
97.665
Revenues
97.670
Selling land unsuited for burials
97.675
Burial lots or space
97.680
Recording plan
97.710
Power of cemetery authority to make rules and regulations
97.720
Record of interments, cremations and reductions
97.725
Disposal of unclaimed burial spaces
97.730
Gifts and bequests in trust for cemeteries
97.740
Definitions for ORS 97.740 to 97.760
97.745
Prohibited acts
97.750
Permitted acts
97.760
Civil action by Indian tribe or member
97.772
Definition of “historic cemetery.”
97.774
Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries
97.776
Commission members
97.778
Chairperson
97.780
Duties
97.782
Listing of historic cemeteries
97.784
Executive secretary
97.810
Endowment care and nonendowed care cemeteries
97.813
Standards of care for and public access to endowment care cemeteries
97.820
Placing cemetery under endowed care
97.823
Prohibitions related to endowment care cemeteries
97.825
Suits to enforce endowed care statutes
97.830
Investment and reinvestment of principal of endowed care funds
97.835
Limitation of duties and liability of trustee
97.840
Cemetery authority authorized to receive and hold gifts of property
97.843
Endowment and special care funds are charitable
97.846
Agreements for care
97.849
Authority of Department of Consumer and Business Services to take action regarding endowment care cemetery
97.852
Receivership of endowment care cemetery
97.865
Application of ORS 97.810 to 97.865 to religious, county and city cemeteries
97.870
Unused and uncared for portions of cemetery declared common nuisances
97.880
Resolution declaring a nuisance
97.890
Complaint
97.900
Summons
97.910
Disuse as prima facie evidence of abandonment
97.920
Judgment declaring nuisance, authorizing abatement and creating and foreclosing lien
97.923
Definitions for ORS 97.923 to 97.949
97.925
Purpose
97.926
Rulemaking authority
97.927
Applicability of ORS 97.923 to 97.949
97.928
Prohibitions
97.929
Exceptions to ORS 97.923 to 97.949
97.931
Registration of salesperson for endowment care cemeteries, preconstruction sales and prearrangement sales
97.933
Certification of provider of prearrangement or preconstruction sales
97.935
Registration of master trustees
97.936
Emergency orders of suspension or restriction
97.937
Deposit of trust funds made by endowment care cemeteries
97.939
Prearrangement or preconstruction sales contracts
97.941
Prearrangement or preconstruction trust fund deposits
97.942
Appointment of receiver
97.943
Distributions from prearrangement trust fund deposits
97.944
Distributions from preconstruction trust fund deposits
97.945
Funeral and Cemetery Consumer Protection Trust Fund
97.946
Advertising and marketing prohibitions
97.947
Examination of providers and master trustees by director
97.948
Grounds for discipline by director for violation of ORS 97.923 to 97.949
97.949
Notification by director to appropriate federal, state or local law enforcement officer of violation of ORS 97.923 to 97.949
97.951
Short title
97.953
Definitions for ORS 97.951 to 97.982
97.955
Purpose of anatomical gift
97.957
Methods of making anatomical gift before death of donor
97.959
Revocation or amendment of anatomical gift by donor or agent or guardian of donor
97.961
Refusal to make anatomical gift
97.963
Effect of making, amending or revoking anatomical gift
97.965
Persons authorized to make anatomical gift of body or body part of decedent
97.967
Methods for making, amending or revoking anatomical gift of body or body part of decedent by authorized person
97.969
Authorized recipients of anatomical gifts
97.970
Search for document of anatomical gift or refusal
97.971
Delivery of document of gift or refusal not required
97.972
Rights and duties of procurement organizations and others
97.973
Coordination of procurement and use of anatomical gifts
97.974
Immunity of persons acting in accordance with ORS 97.951 to 97.982
97.976
Law governing validity of document of gift
97.977
Donor registry
97.978
Resolution of conflict between potential anatomical gift and advance directive
97.979
Cooperation between medical examiner and procurement organization
97.980
Facilitation of anatomical gift from decedent whose body is under jurisdiction of medical examiner
97.981
Purchase or sale of body parts prohibited
97.982
Alteration of document of anatomical gift prohibited
97.983
Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act
97.984
Liability of executor who carries out anatomical gift
97.985
Transplants not covered by implied warranty
97.987
Department of Transportation use of federal moneys for cemetery care
97.990
Penalties
97.992
Penalties for ORS 97.937
97.994
Penalties for ORS 97.931, 97.933, 97.941 and 97.943
Green check means up to date. Up to date