Green burials requirements establishment provisions
Summary
SF 2819 establishes a legal definition of “green burial” in Minnesota law and creates new requirements for cemeteries that choose to offer that option. A green burial is defined as a burial that emphasizes environmental sustainability and natural decomposition, with no embalming, use of a biodegradable casket or shroud, and no vault or outer burial container. The bill adds this definition to the state’s funeral law chapter and then creates parallel rules for green burials in both public cemeteries and private cemeteries.
The bill requires cemeteries that allow green burials to designate specific burial areas and to site those areas away from environmental and water-related risks. The required setbacks include distances from property lines, wells, springs, watercourses, drainage systems, flood-prone areas, standing water, and groundwater protection zones. It also sets minimum burial depth and cover requirements and limits burial density to 300 burials per acre over a 100-year period. In addition, the bill requires cemeteries that allow scattering of cremated or hydrolyzed remains to designate a specific scattering location within the cemetery.
Impact
The bill would amend Minnesota Statutes section 149A.02 and add new provisions in chapters 306 and 307 governing cemetery operations. It would create enforceable standards for cemeteries that choose to offer green burials, affecting both municipal/public cemeteries and privately owned cemeteries, and would also require designated locations for scattering cremated or hydrolyzed remains. The practical effect is to regulate cemetery layout, burial practices, and environmental siting standards for participating cemeteries, while leaving the choice to offer green burials optional.
Sentiment
The available legislative record suggests generally neutral to favorable sentiment toward the bill, with the measure advancing through committee and being amended rather than rejected. The absence of recorded opposition, votes, or transcript debate makes it difficult to identify strong partisan or ideological division. The bill’s progression indicates at least some legislative interest in formalizing green burial practices and providing clearer rules for cemeteries that want to offer them.
Contention
No committee transcripts or vote details are available, so specific points of contention are not documented in the record provided. Based on the bill text, likely areas of concern could include the environmental and land-use restrictions imposed on cemeteries, the feasibility and cost of compliance with setback and density rules, and whether the standards are sufficiently flexible for different cemetery types. Any disagreement would likely center on balancing environmental protection, cemetery operations, and consumer demand for green burial options.
Public cemeteries required to allow individuals to be buried in accordance with their recognized religion, and public cemeteries required to allow green burials.
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