Law Establishes Integrity In Death Care Industry

Funeral homes will be held accountable under a new law spearheaded by State Senator Doris Turner that came in response to a Carlinville funeral home insufficiently handling human remains, giving over 60 families the wrong remains.

“After months of discussions regarding the death care industry, it was clear the status quo wasn’t working,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Families who lost loved ones experienced what no one ever thought was possible – receiving the wrong remains. It’s past time that we hold bad actors accountable.”

Senate Bill 2643 adds identification rules and regulations for the handling and storing of human bodies. Additionally, it requires funeral establishments and crematory authorities to maintain a chain of custody records that are uniquely identified to the deceased, ensuring the death care industry is able to identify the human remains in its possession through final disposition.

Under Turner’s law, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is required to inspect the premises within 10 business days when the agency receives a complaint.

“The victimization these families have had to endure is egregious and long lasting,” said Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon. “This common-sense legislation will help ensure that our loved and lost are given the dignity they deserve.”

Senate Bill 2643 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.