Cremation of veterans with the United States flag.

Existing law requires that a crematory knowingly cremate only human remains in cremation chambers, along with the cremation container, personal effects of the deceased, and no more than a negligible amount of chlorinated plastic pouches utilized for disease control when necessary. Existing law authorizes a crematory to incinerate one or more American flags under specified conditions, including when the flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display. Existing law requires a crematory that incinerates an American flag or flags to maintain an accurate record of all American flags incinerated, as specified. This bill would authorize a crematory, upon request of the person with the authority to dispose of the remains, to cremate the remains of a person who was a member of a branch of the United States military with a single American flag. The bill would exempt a flag that is incinerated in this manner from the recordkeeping requirements for incinerating a flag.