An Act to permit the scattering of unclaimed cremated remains at sea
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Date | Branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 4/8/2026 | House | Accompanied a study order, see H5330↗ (under House Rule 27) |
| — | House | Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order |
| 9/29/2025 | Joint | Hearing rescheduled to 09/29/2025 from 09:00 AM-11:30 AM in A-2 and Virtual — Hearing updated to New End Time |
| 9/29/2025 | Joint | Hearing rescheduled to 09/29/2025 from 09:00 AM-11:30 PM in A-2 and Virtual — Hearing updated to New End Time |
| 9/19/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 09/29/2025 from 09:00 AM-01:00 PM in A-2 |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Public Health |
No additional cosponsors.
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J16 | Accompanied | — |
of chapter 114 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 15, the following words:- "Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a funeral establishment in possession of the cremated remains of a human body which is not claimed by a next-of-kin or duly authorized representative within 12 months after the date of cremation may have the remains interred or placed in a common grave, niche, or crypt in a cemetery, or scattered in an area of the cemetery designated for that purpose;" and, inserting in place thereof the following words: "Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a funeral establishment in possession of the cremated remains of a human body which is not claimed by a next-of-kin or duly authorized representative within 12 months after the date of cremation may have the remains interred or placed in a common grave, niche, or crypt in a cemetery, scattered in an area of the cemetery designated for that purpose, or scattered at sea;"
Section 43M of chapter 114 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 15, the following words:- "Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a funeral establishment in possession of the cremated remains of a human body which is not claimed by a next-of-kin or duly authorized representative within 12 months after the date of cremation may have the remains interred or placed in a common grave, niche, or crypt in a cemetery, or scattered in an area of the cemetery designated for that purpose;" and, inserting in place thereof the following words: "Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a funeral establishment in possession of the cremated remains of a human body which is not claimed by a next-of-kin or duly authorized representative within 12 months after the date of cremation may have the remains interred or placed in a common grave, niche, or crypt in a cemetery, scattered in an area of the cemetery designated for that purpose, or scattered at sea;"