Funeral homes in Alaska manage one of the most demanding documentation workflows in the United States due to the size of the state, the rural nature of many communities, and the strict rules enforced by the Alaska Department of Health and the State Medical Examiner. The Alaska EDRS system covers most of the state, but remote areas still present logistical challenges.

This guide outlines the essential Alaska Funeral Home Compliance requirements for 2025 so that funeral homes can navigate every step with confidence.

Charon Compliance is building a tool that helps funeral homes complete Alaska forms automatically. You can join early access here.

 

 

1. Required Paperwork for Funeral Homes in Alaska

 

 

A. Alaska Death Certificate

The Death Certificate is the core document that allows the funeral home to proceed with disposition.

 

Filing Deadline

 

Alaska Statutes Section 18.50.180 requires filing within three business days after death.

 

Filing System

Alaska uses an electronic filing system known as the Alaska Electronic Death Registration System. Certain remote communities may use paper filings submitted to regional offices.

 

Common Causes of Rejection

 

Rejections often occur when cause of death intervals are missing, the place of death information is incomplete, or the medical certifier section contains errors. Alaska has strict standards for medical certification and requires clear documentation.

 

 

B. Permit for Burial, Cremation, or Transit

 

Alaska requires a permit for any form of disposition, including burial, cremation, transport to another state, or transport between remote communities.

 

Requirement

 

The permit cannot be issued until the Death Certificate has been filed and accepted.

 

Matching Requirement

Every detail must match the Death Certificate. Incorrect spellings, missing middle names, or mismatched dates must be corrected before the permit can be reissued.

 

 

2. Cremation Requirements in Alaska

 

Alaska’s cremation rules depend heavily on whether the State Medical Examiner takes jurisdiction.

 

A. No Statewide Waiting Period

 

Alaska does not enforce a mandatory waiting period before cremation. Cremation may proceed after:

 

• the Death Certificate is filed

• the cremation authorization is signed

• the Medical Examiner releases the remains if required

 

 

B. Medical Examiner Approval Rules

 

Approval is required when deaths fall under the circumstances listed in Alaska Statutes Section 12.65.005, which include:

 

• violent deaths

• accidental deaths

• unattended deaths

• suspicious or unusual circumstances

• deaths where no physician is available to certify

 

If the ME assumes jurisdiction, no cremation can take place until the ME signs off.

 

 

3. Transport Requirements in Alaska

 

Alaska’s geography makes transport a major part of compliance.

 

A. Rural and Remote Transfers

 

Many communities rely on air carriers. These transfers require:

 

• the disposition permit

• proper packaging

• compliance with carrier requirements

 

B. In-State and Out-of-State Transport

 

Transport across remote regions often requires coordination with multiple agencies. For out-of-state transport, the funeral home must meet Alaska’s rules and the rules of the receiving state.

 

 

4. Filing Deadlines and Requirements

 

• Death Certificate: within three business days

• Permit: before burial, cremation, or transport

• ME clearance: before cremation when ME jurisdiction applies

 

Late filings often result in delays and may require affidavits.

 

 

5. Record Retention in Alaska

 

Alaska requires funeral homes to maintain:

 

• cremation records: at least 2 years

• permits and case files: at least 3 to 5 years depending on the document

• preneed contracts: contract length plus several years

• ME documentation: retained permanently in the case file

 

Digital records are acceptable if secure and accessible.

 

 

6. Automating Alaska Paperwork with Charon Compliance

 

Alaska’s combination of electronic filing and remote logistics makes paperwork burdensome. Many funeral homes retype the same information into multiple documents. Charon Compliance will allow funeral homes to enter the data once. The system prepares the forms, generates authorization packets, and helps confirm whether the ME must be notified.

You can join early access here.