Pennsylvania Statutes Title 35 P.S. Health and Safety § 450.506.2 § 450.506.2. Death and fetal death registration:  Disposition of cremated remains of veterans

(b)(1) Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary, nothing in this section shall prevent a funeral director or funeral establishment from sharing information with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, a veterans' service organization or a national cemetery for the purpose of determining whether the cremated remains are those of a veteran.

(2) A funeral director or funeral establishment shall be discharged from any legal obligations or liability with regard to releasing information to or sharing information with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, a veterans' service organization or a national cemetery in accordance with this section.

(c)(1) If a funeral director or funeral establishment ascertains the cremated remains in its possession are those of a veteran and the funeral director or funeral establishment has not been instructed by the legally authorized person in control of the final disposition of the decedent to arrange for the final disposition of the cremated remains, the funeral director or funeral establishment shall relinquish possession of the cremated remains to a veterans' service organization.

(2) Final disposition shall be made in a national cemetery if the deceased veteran is eligible for interment in such a manner.

(1) Held harmless for any costs or damages, except if there is gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(2) Discharged from any legal obligation or liability concerning the cremated remains.

(1) Determine or seek others to determine that an individual's cremated remains are those of a veteran if the funeral director or funeral establishment was informed by the legally authorized person in control of the final disposition of the cremated remains that the individual was not a veteran.

(2) Relinquish possession of the cremated remains to a veterans' service organization if the funeral director or funeral establishment was instructed by the legally authorized person in control of the cremated remains or had a reasonable belief that the decedent did not desire any funeral or burial-related services or ceremonies recognizing the decedent's service as a veteran.