Bill > SB551

This bill amends the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by updating the legal definition of "cremation" in Section 1991. The new definition expands the understanding of cremation to include not just traditional fire-based cremation, but also alternative methods like alkaline hydrolysis, which is a water-based dissolution process for human remains. Specifically, the bill defines cremation as a technical process that reduces human remains to bone fragments, and includes the subsequent processing and pulverization of those fragments, as well as placement of the processed remains in a cremation container. The definition will apply to all statutes enacted on or after September 1, 1937, unless the context of a specific law suggests otherwise. The bill will take effect 60 days after its enactment, providing time for relevant agencies and funeral homes to adjust to the updated terminology and understand the broadened definition of cremation.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=551