Burial and Cremation Laws
After a death in the family, survivors are faced with a lot of questions, some of which must be answered quickly. Should the body be buried or cremated? How many death certificates do you want? Later, more questions may arise, such as where it’s legal to scatter ashes.
Almost every state has its own set of laws on these issues. In general, though, you may have more freedom than you expect. In most places, for example, embalming is almost never required by law. And there are few regulations on where cremated ashes may be scattered, whether it’s on private or public land or at sea. Some states even allow bodies to buried on anyone’s private land, without any restrictions.
Federal law, meanwhile, provides much-needed consumer protections. For example, when you buy services from a mortuary, you must be allowed to use a casket purchased elsewhere. (More and more people are buying them online.)
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Burial and Cremation Laws in Alaska
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Arizona
Here are some answers to common questions about post-death matters in Arizona.
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Burial and Cremation Laws in Alabama
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Arkansas
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Colorado
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Connecticut
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Delaware
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Florida
Here are some answers to common questions about post-death matters in Florida.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Georgia
Here are some answers to common questions about post-death matters in Georgia.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Hawaii
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Idaho
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Illinois
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Indiana
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Iowa
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Kentucky
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Louisiana
Here are some answers to common questions about post-death matters in Louisiana.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Maine
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Maryland
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Massachusetts
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Mississippi
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Nebraska
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in New Hampshire
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in New Jersey
Here are some answers to common questions about post-death matters in New Jersey.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in New Mexico
Each state has laws about how a body is handled after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in New York
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in North Carolina
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in North Dakota
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Ohio
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Oklahoma
Each state has laws affecting handling of a body after death and how to get a death certificate.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Oregon
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Pennsylvania
Here are some answers to common questions about post-death matters in Pennsylvania.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Rhode Island
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in South Carolina
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Tennessee
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Texas
Here are some answers to common questions about post-death matters in Texas.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in the District of Columbia
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Utah
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Vermont
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Virginia
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Washington
Here are some answers to common questions about post-death matters in Washington.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in West Virginia
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Wisconsin
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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Burial & Cremation Laws in Wyoming
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death.
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