103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4982
 
Introduced , by Rep. Tim Ozinga
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

410 ILCS 5/3 new
 Amends the Burial of Dead Bodies Act. Provides that, until July 1, 2026, a green burial shall not be performed in this State unless the green burial is performed in a cemetery that permits green burials and at which green burials are permitted by all applicable ordinances and regulations. Provides that the Director of Public Health shall study the environmental and health impacts of green burials and natural organic reduction and develop recommendations for the performance of green burials and natural organic reduction to prevent environmental harm, including contamination of groundwater and surface water, and to protect the health of workers performing green burials and natural organic reduction, mourners, and the public. Details topics that the study may address. Requires the Director of Public Health to submit the study and recommendations, including any statutory changes needed to implement the recommendations, to the General Assembly by February 1, 2026. Defines terms. Effective July 1, 2024.


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A BILL FOR
 
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1 AN ACT concerning health.

2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:

4 Section 5. The Burial of Dead Bodies Act is amended by 
5adding Section 3 as follows:

6 (410 ILCS 5/3 new)
7 Sec. 3. Green burials.  
8 (a) As used in this Section, "green burial" means the 
9burial of a dead human body in a manner that minimizes 
10environmental impact and that allows for the decomposition of 
11the body using, at a minimum, the following procedures:
12  (1) the human body is not embalmed before burial or is 
13 embalmed only with nontoxic chemicals;
14  (2) a biodegradable casket or shroud is used for 
15 burial; and
16  (3) the casket or shroud holding the human body is not 
17 placed in an outer burial container when buried.
18 (b) Until July 1, 2026, a green burial shall not be 
19performed in this State unless the green burial is performed 
20in a cemetery that permits green burials and at which green 
21burials are permitted by all applicable ordinances and 
22regulations.
23 (c) The Director of Public Health shall study the 
 
 
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1environmental and health impacts of green burials and natural 
2organic reduction and develop recommendations for the 
3performance of green burials and natural organic reduction to 
4prevent environmental harm, including contamination of 
5groundwater and surface water, and to protect the health of 
6workers performing green burials and natural organic 
7reduction, mourners, and the public. The study and 
8recommendations may address topics that include:
9  (1) the siting of locations where green burials are 
10 permitted;
11  (2) the minimum distance a green burial location must 
12 have from groundwater, surface water, and drinking water;
13  (3) the minimum depth at which a body buried via green 
14 burial must be buried, the minimum soil depth below the 
15 body, and the minimum soil depth covering the body;
16  (4) the maximum density of green burial interments in 
17 a green burial location;
18  (5) the procedures used by individuals who come in 
19 direct contact with a body awaiting green burial to 
20 minimize the risk of infectious disease transmission from 
21 the body;
22  (6) the methods to temporarily inhibit decomposition 
23 of an unembalmed body awaiting green burial;
24  (7) the time period within which an unembalmed body 
25 awaiting green burial must be buried or held in a manner 
26 that delays decomposition; and
 
 
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1  (8) the use of natural organic reduction for the 
2 disposition of a human body.
3 (d) The Director of Public Health shall submit the study 
4and recommendations, including any statutory changes needed to 
5implement the recommendations, to the General Assembly by 
6February 1, 2026.