2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 187
BY SENATOR KLEINPETER
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 13:5716, relative to cremation of bodies; to provide for issuance
3 of a permit for cremation by a coroner; to provide for denial of a permit for
4 cremation by a coroner; and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 13:5716 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 ยง5716. Cremation of bodies
8 A. If the cremation of a body is requested, the funeral director shall
9 immediately notify the coroner who has jurisdiction in the death.
10 B. If, after the necessary investigation, the coroner is satisfied that there are
11 no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, he shall issue a permit for
12 cremation.
13 C. If the investigation reveals suspicious circumstances or the reasonable
14 probability of the commission of a crime, the coroner shall deny the permit until the
15 coroner's post mortem examination and evidence collection is completed. After
16 completion of the coroner's investigation, he may issue a permit for cremation.
17 D. Upon completion of the coroner's post mortem examination and
18 evidence collection, the coroner shall release the body to the family or friends
19 for disposition in accordance with R.S. 13:5715. In any case under coroner
20 jurisdiction in which the body cannot be released within thirty days of death,
21 the coroner shall notify in writing the person or persons with the right to
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 187 ENROLLED
1 dispose of human remains under R.S. 8:655 the reasons for any delay in release
2 of the body.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.