Cremation; Offense

Art. 49A.068. CREMATION; OFFENSE. (a) A person may not cremate or direct the cremation of a body subject to an inquest under Article 49A.053 unless: (1) the body is identified; and (2) the person has received from the justice of the peace a certificate signed by the justice stating that: (A) an autopsy was performed on the body under Article 49A.063 or 49A.064; or (B) no autopsy was necessary. (b) An owner or operator of a crematory shall retain a certificate received under Subsection (a) for a period of 10 years after the cremation date for the body named on the certificate. (c) A person commits an offense if the person cremates or directs the cremation of a body without obtaining a certificate from a justice of the peace as required by Subsection (a). An offense under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2027. Text of article effective on April 01, 2027