Before any dead human body may be cremated, who must sign the cremation permit?

The correct answer is that the cremation permit must be signed by the county attorney. In Nebraska, the process for cremation is regulated to ensure that it is conducted lawfully and ethically. A key part of this regulation is the requirement for a cremation permit, which serves as official permission for the cremation to proceed.

The county attorney plays a vital role in this process, primarily because they are responsible for ensuring that all legal requirements surrounding the disposition of human remains are met. This includes investigating any circumstances surrounding the death that may require further legal scrutiny, thus ensuring that no foul play has occurred and that the deceased's wishes are respected, particularly in cases where there might be disputes among family members concerning the cremation.

While other professionals, such as a primary physician or a funeral director, may cause a signature to be required in other contexts (for example, the physician may certify the cause of death), the specific authority for signing off on the cremation permit rests with the county attorney to uphold legal standards regarding the handling of the deceased.

In some situations, the funeral director does play a significant role in the cremation process, overseeing the arrangement and logistical aspects, but their signature is not the required formal authorization for the permit. Similarly, the Department