Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky SB27: AN ACT relating to cremation of dead bodies.
Status: Signed into law, April 13, 2026
Amend KRS 72.450 to allow a coroner who is in possession of an unclaimed dead body to have the body buried or cremated; direct that the decision between burial or cremation be made by the governmental entity bearing the expense; require a coroner to be consulted before a government entity decides if an unclaimed dead body is required to be buried or cremated; establish that if Jewish descent is known, that the Chabad of the Bluegrass, or any successor entity, be contacted by the appropriate government entity to inquire if the Chabad of the Bluegrass wants to pay for the burial expense, or if known to be a member of a religious community, the appropriate government entity contact any such religious community that has expressed, in writing, a willingness to the local county coroner that it will pay for, or otherwise provide, the burial expense of the community's members. .
What the bill says
An act relating to cremation of dead bodies.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to cremation of dead bodies. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. KRS 72.450 is amended to read as follows: (1) (a) A coroner who has possession of a dead body or a part thereof shall make a bona fide attempt of at least six (6) months to notify the spouse, if any, or next of kin of the decedent's death. In the event the coroner is unable to locate the spouse, if any, or next of kin, he or she may cause the body to be buried or cremated at the expense of the fiscal court, consolidated local government, or urban-county government, whichever is appropriate. (b) The decision between burial or cremation shall be made by the fiscal court, consolidated local government, or urban-county government that has responsibility for the expense pursuant to this subsection. (c) If a fiscal court, consolidated local government, or urban-county government has responsibility for the expense pursuant to this subsection, it shall: 1. Consult with the local county coroner before it makes the decision between burial and cremation; and 2. If the dead body or a part thereof is known to be: a. Of Jewish descent, contact the Chabad of the Bluegrass or any successor entity to inquire if it wants to pay for …
Sponsors
- Greg Elkins (R, SD-028) · primary sponsor
- Matthew Deneen (R, SD-010)
Latest actions
- : signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 127)
- : delivered to Governor
- : enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
- : enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
- : passed 37-0
- : Senate concurred in Committee Substitute (1)
- : posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute (1)
- : to Rules (S)
- : received in Senate
- : 3rd reading, passed 76-12 with Committee Substitute (1)
Votes
- Senate: FINAL PASSAGE OF SB 27 w/ HCS 1 (HCS 1) RSN# 4121 (April 1, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Pass RCS# 422 (April 1, 2026): 76 yea, 12 nay, passed
- Senate: PASS SB 27 w/ SCS 1 (SCS 1) RSN# 3777 (January 23, 2026): 35 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Deaths, Sex discrimination: scope., Local Mandate, Counties, Cemeteries And Burials, Local Government, Religion
Common questions
- What is SB27?
- SB27 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to cremation of dead bodies.
- What does SB27 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to cremation of dead bodies.
- What is the status of SB27?
- Signed into law as of April 13, 2026. Latest action: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 127) (April 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB27?
- Greg Elkins (R, SD-028), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB27?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/sb27.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.