South African Human Remains Regulations: What Body Bag Users Need to Know

The main legal framework for handling the dead in South Africa is the Regulations Relating to the Management of Human Remains, published as Government Notice R.363 of 22 May 2013 under the National Health Act, 2003 (Act 61 of 2003). Municipal environmental health practitioners (EHPs) enforce them. This is a practical summary – always read the regulations themselves and check for later amendments.

Certificate of competence

Remains may only be prepared or stored at premises holding a valid certificate of competence issued by the local municipality after an EHP inspection (regulations 3–9). Certificates must be renewed every second year.

Refrigeration

Remains must reach a surface temperature of no higher than 5°C within three hours of receipt, and not exceed 15°C during preparation. Outsourced refrigeration is prohibited, and remains may not exceed the number of removable fridge trays (regulations 10–11).

PPE and hygiene

Workers must be provided with clean protective clothing – including surgical gloves, gumboots, plastic aprons and face masks – washed and disinfected daily. Preparation-room waste is health-care risk waste (regulation 11).

Transport

Premises need a paved, screened loading area with proper drainage and vehicle-cleaning facilities. If remains are transported without a moisture-proof covering, the vehicle’s loading space must be washed and disinfected (regulations 10–11). Leaking or odorous containers must be taken to the nearest mortuary or undertaker for treatment (regulation 13).

Communicable diseases

Remains of persons who died of a disease that can be transmitted after death must be placed in a sealed polythene bag and an airtight container inside a sturdy, sealed, non-transparent coffin, accompanied by a medical practitioner’s written declaration. Remains of persons who died of smallpox, anthrax or viral haemorrhagic fever may not be embalmed; Department of Health guidelines apply (regulation 12).

Cross-border and public transport

Remains moved across borders or by public transport must be in approved, sealed containers; import and export require permits (regulations 13–14 and annexures).

Exhumation

Exhumation requires authorisation, is carried out by a registered undertaker under EHP supervision with SAPS present, and remains must be placed in new, sealed and identified coffins (regulations 26–28).

Not legal advice. Check the current Government Gazette and consult your municipal environmental health department.

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Educational resource only. This article does not replace facility protocols, infection-prevention policies, official forensic procedures, manufacturer instructions or legal advice. Always verify product suitability against the applicable protocol and supplier test evidence. Last reviewed: October 2026.