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HRS §841-16

When decomposed remains can be cremated quickly

If a dead body is a serious health danger, the coroner's doctor can order it cremated right away. This can only happen after a reasonable effort to identify the body and find the cause of death, and after a burial-transit permit is obtained.

state agencies

The statute, as written — Disposal of decomposed remains

The coroner's physician may order forthwith the cremation of the remains of any person appearing to have come to death under any of the circumstances set forth in section 841-3 if, in the coroner's physician's opinion, the remains constitute an immediate menace to the public health. The cremation shall be supervised by the coroner and shall take place only after a reasonable amount of investigation has taken place in an effort to establish the identity of the remains and the cause of death. Such cremation shall take place after a burial-transit permit authorizing cremation has been secured from the local agent of the department of health.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§841-3 Reporting deaths that need investigation

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