Iowa Code Title IV. Public Health [Chs. 123-158] § 144.32. Burial transit permit

1. If a person other than a funeral director, medical examiner, or emergency medical service assumes custody of a dead body or fetus, the person shall secure a burial transit permit. To be valid, the burial transit permit must be issued by the county medical examiner, a funeral director, or the state registrar. The permit shall be obtained prior to the removal of the body or fetus from the place of death and the permit shall accompany the body or fetus to the place of final disposition.

2. To transfer a dead body or fetus outside of this state, the funeral director who first assumes custody of the dead body or fetus shall obtain a burial transit permit prior to the transfer. The permit shall accompany the dead body or fetus to the place of final disposition.

3. A dead body or fetus brought into this state for final disposition shall be accompanied by a burial transit permit under the law of the state in which the death occurred.

4. A burial transit permit shall not be issued to a person other than a funeral director when the cause of death is or is suspected to be a communicable disease as defined by rule of the department.