Bill > S1451

This bill proposes to expand the environmentally-friendly burial alternatives available in Massachusetts. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. It adds "alkaline hydrolysis" and "natural organic reduction" as additional methods, alongside cremation, for the disposition of human remains. Alkaline hydrolysis is the reduction of remains using heat, pressure, water, and chemicals, while natural organic reduction is the contained, accelerated conversion of remains to soil. 2. It defines "hydrolysis facility" and "natural organic reduction facility" as the structures where these new methods would take place. 3. It updates various sections of Massachusetts law to incorporate these new burial alternatives, including requirements for permits, authorizations, and record-keeping. 4. It allows boards of health to authorize the cremation, hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction of unclaimed remains in certain circumstances. The overall purpose of the bill is to provide the residents of Massachusetts with more environmentally-friendly options for the disposition of human remains, in addition to traditional burial and cremation.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1451