Tennessee Senate Bill SB1145

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 34, Chapter 6, Part 37; Title 38; Title 50; Title 56; Title 62, Chapter 5; Title 62, Chapter 6 and Title 68, relative to burial.

Summary

SB1145 establishes a new requirement for the handling and burial of a body when the person or government agency that has custody of the body does not seek an autopsy or request embalming. In that situation, the custodian must ensure the body is buried within 48 hours after waiving the ability to request an autopsy or embalming. The bill is aimed at speeding up burial arrangements once those options are declined. The bill also preserves existing authority for autopsies in cases covered by the Post-Mortem Examination Act or any other law that allows the state or a political subdivision to request an autopsy based on the circumstances of the death. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Impact

The bill adds a new section to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68, Chapter 4, creating a statutory deadline for burial in cases where custody of a body has been assumed and no autopsy or embalming is requested. It affects persons and government agencies responsible for bodies, including those involved in burial arrangements, while expressly preserving existing autopsy powers under Title 38 and other applicable laws. The measure may also affect funeral homes, coroners/medical examiners, local governments, and families managing post-death arrangements.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition in the available materials. Based on the text alone, the bill appears administrative and procedural in nature, with a public-welfare justification and no explicit partisan or policy controversy reflected in the record provided.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the 48-hour burial requirement, which could be viewed as too rigid for families, funeral providers, or government agencies needing more time to arrange services, transportation, or religious observances. On the other hand, the bill preserves exceptions for cases where an autopsy may be needed under the Post-Mortem Examination Act or other law, which reduces conflict with law-enforcement and public-safety interests. No specific opposing or supporting stakeholders are identified in the provided discussion materials.