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HRS §531B-2

Definitions for cemeteries and cremation

This section defines key words used in the law about cemeteries and cremation. It explains what a cemetery, cremation, crematory, funeral establishment, and related terms mean. It also defines who counts as a person and what it means to be estranged.

everyone

The statute, as written — Definitions

As used in this chapter: "Cemetery" means any property, or part interest therein, dedicated to and used or intended to be used for the permanent interment of human remains. It may be a burial park with one or more plots, for earth interment; a mausoleum with one or more vaults or crypt interments; a structure or place with one or more niches, recesses, or other receptacles for the interment of cremated remains, or any combination of one or more thereof. "Conventional cremation" means the irreversible process of reducing human remains to bone fragments or skeletal remains through heat and evaporation. "Cremated remains" means all human remains recovered after the completion of the cremation, which may include the residue of any foreign matter, including casket material, bridgework, or eyeglasses that were cremated with the human remains. "Cremation" means conventional cremation or water cremation. "Crematory" means a structure containing a furnace used or intended to be used for the conventional cremation of human remains. "Estranged" means a physical and emotional separation from the decedent at the time of death which has existed for a period of time that clearly demonstrates an absence of due affection, trust, and regard for the decedent. "Funeral establishment" means a place of business used in the care and preparation for interment or transportation of human remains, embalming, placing the same on display, or otherwise providing for final disposition of human remains. "Hydrolysis equipment" means the equipment, machinery, or unit specifically designed and built for the purposes of processing human remains using water cremation. "Hydrolysis equipment" includes prebuilt and prepackaged hydrolysis units or equipment that is erected on site of a hydrolysis facility. "Hydrolysis facility" means a structure, room, or other space in a building or structure containing hydrolysis equipment, to be used for water cremation. "Mortuary" means a place of business devoted exclusively to furnishing funeral services and related commodities. "Person" means an individual eighteen years of age or older. "Water cremation" means alkaline hydrolysis, which is the reduction of human remains to bone fragments and essential elements using heat, pressure, water, and base chemical agents.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.