Death Forms & Information
- Final Arrangements by an Authorized Person (not through an in-state funeral Home)
An authorized person is a spouse, child and domestic partner that make their own arrangements without employing a funeral director. Out of state or out of country funeral establishments are also considered authorized persons.
The authorized person must request a VS-3 form from their municipality or from Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS). The form must be completed with the decedent's personal information and returned directly to DRVS. The information provided from the informant on the VS-3 form is used to complete the death record and is entered into the database application for vital events (DAVE) system by DRVS staff. The medical certifier will also complete the medical certification information in the DAVE system. Once both the personal and medical certification information has been entered into the DAVE system and passes all validation rules, the death record will be registered and assigned a State File Number (SFN). Copies of the death certificate may then be issued by DRVS, the place of death municipality, or the decedent's residence municipality.
The authorized person should then acquire a disposition permit from the municipality where death occurred or from Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS). This will allow for the body to be transported and for final disposition to occur.
Certain methods of disposition such as cremation, burial at sea, use by science, or removal from State require a medical examiner's release. A body cannot be cremated until 48 hours after death. Please check with the crematory to learn what their procedures are.
Authorized Person Making Final Arrangements (PDF) - Instructions, process and documents required for making final arrangements.
- Disposition Permit
A disposition permit (or burial transmit permit) is required for all deaths. This permit allows an authorized person or funeral director to transport a body from the place of death or from the funeral establishment to the final disposition facility. Permits can be issued by the municipality of death, municipality where the funeral establishment is located, Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS), or sub-registrars appointed by either the State or the municipality.
- Authorization for Burial of Cremated Remains
An authorization for the burial of cremated remains VS-50 form may be completed when cremated remains are buried in a public cemetery to record where and when the ashes were buried. This is different than a disposition permit (or burial transmit permit).
- Application for Disinterment or Removal of Human Remains
A dead human body may not be disinterred or removed from any vault or tomb until a funeral director has obtained a disposition permit from the Department or from the clerk of the municipality where the dead human body is buried or entombed. The permit will be issued upon receipt of a notarized application signed by the next of kin of the deceased who verifies that the signer is the closest surviving known relative and, when any other family member of equal or greater legal or blood relationship or a domestic partner of the decedent also survives, that all such persons are aware of, and do not object to, the disinterment or removal.
- Form VS38 (PDF) - Application for Disinterment or Removal of Human Remains.
- Death with Dignity Forms
The Maine Death with Dignity Act, provides eligible Maine residents with terminal diseases the option to be prescribed a dose of medication that, if taken, will hasten the end of their life. Requests for this patient choice end of life care must be made through a Maine licensed physician.
For any questions, please contact us directly:
Data, Research, and Vital Statistics (DRVS) Vital Records Unit
220 Capitol Street
State House Station (SHS) 11
(207) 287-3771
(888) 664-9491