Mortuary Science
Notice of Adoption– November 9, 2026
Disposition of the Dead, Natural Organic Reduction, and Transfer Care Specialist Rulemaking
Revisor's ID: #4882
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has adopted rules under Minnesota Rules, chapter 4610, Disposition of the Dead, including creating rules around transfer care specialists and natural organic reduction. Minnesota state agencies adopt and update state rules needed to help administer laws they enforce.
Notice of Adoption
The Department of Health has published its Order Adopting Rules in the State Register on November 9, 2026. These rules will become effective on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, after the required 5-day waiting period. A copy of the completed rules is available here.
Submission to the Court of Administrative Hearings
The Department of Health submitted its proposed rules governing disposition of the dead, natural organic reduction, and transfer care specialists on Monday, July 6, 2026. This submission included revisions to the proposed rules that were published in the state register on December 29, 2026. You can find a copy of these revisions below:
On July 20, 2026, Administrative Law Judge Suzanne Todnem approved the rules, while making suggested modifications. The department agreed to amend the rule based on the suggested modifications, and resubmitted the amended rules on September 11, 2026. The chief ALJ approved the new rule language and amended order to adopt rules on September 18, 2026.
On October 1, 2026, the Department of Health filed its signed order to adopt rules with the Court of Administrative Hearings.
The next steps of this process fulfill filing and notice requirements to the Secretary of State and the Governor, after which, MDH will publish the order to adopt rules in the state register, and notify affected parties. The rule will become effective 5 business days after that publication.
Dual Notice of Intent to Adopt
MDH has published its Dual Notice of Intent to Adopt rules related to the Disposition of the Dead, Natural Organic Reduction, and Transfer Care Specialists in the State Register on December 29, 2025. You, as a member of the public, will have 30 days to submit written comments and/or a written request that a hearing be held on the proposed rules until Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
You may leave comments at the Court of Administrative Hearings Rulemaking eComments website: Court of Administrative Hearings Comments On Rules.
- Dual Notice
- Proposed Rules
- Statement of Need and Reasonableness
- December 29, 2025, State Register Publication: Minnesota State Register Volume 50 Number 26 (PDF)
Please contact Celeste Marin (celeste.marin@state.mn.us, 651-201-4849) with any questions or feedback about this rulemaking project.
Goals
This rulemaking process proposes adopting new rules in Minnesota Rules, chapter 4610 to:
- Add any rules needed to address registration or training of transfer care specialists.
- Add any rules needed to address natural organic reduction.
- Add any rules around crematories and/or body preparation rooms, to establish sanitary or other standards, consistent with industry norms.
- Potentially add technical rules needed to enforce Minnesota Statutes, chapter 149A.
Please contact Celeste Marin (celeste.marin@state.mn.us, 651-201-4849) with any questions or feedback about this rulemaking project.
Proposed Timeline
- August 26, 2024 — Request for comments published in the State Register.
- Fall 2024/Winter 2025 — Drafting of rule language and Statement of Need and Reasonableness (SONAR).
- 2025 — Notice of Intent to Adopt Rules published in the State Register.
- To be determined — adoption of rules.
Request for Comments
The official Request for Comments was published in the Minnesota State Register and is also available here: Disposition of the Dead Request for Comment (PDF).
Interested persons may submit comments via the following form: Office of Administration Hearings - Comment on Proposed Rules.