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HF3958

Private and public cemeteries allowed to bury certain animals in green burials.
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

To allow public and private cemeteries in Minnesota to bury certain pets (dogs, cats, and chickens) with a human body or human cremated remains as part of green burial practices, under specified conditions.

Main provisions

  • Public cemeteries (Section 1):

    • A public cemetery may bury a domesticated dog or cat (normally kept in or near the owner's home) or a chicken no more than 72 hours after death with a human body if:
    • the animal is not embalmed,
    • the remains are placed in a biodegradable container (casket or shroud) with the human body, or in a separate biodegradable container or shroud,
    • the burial is not in a vault or outer burial container.
    • Cremated remains of such an animal may be buried with a human body or human cremated remains if the remains are in a biodegradable container or shroud.
    • A chicken buried under this provision is exempt from certain Minnesota Rules (parts 1721.0690 to 1721.0740).

  • Private cemeteries (Section 2):

    • A private cemetery may bury a domesticated dog or cat or a chicken under the same conditions as above, with:
    • no embalming,
    • placement in a biodegradable container or in a separate biodegradable container or shroud,
    • no vault or outer burial container.
    • Cremated remains of such animals may be buried with a human body or human cremated remains if the remains are in a biodegradable container or shroud.
    • A chicken buried under this provision is exempt from certain Minnesota Rules (parts 1721.0690 to 1721.0740).

Significant changes to existing law

  • Creates new allowances in Minnesota law for pet green burials in both public and private cemeteries.
  • Establishes requirements to ensure environmentally friendly burial practices (biodegradable containers/shrouds, no embalming, no outer burial containers or vaults).
  • Extends to both whole remains (dog/cat/chicken) and cremated remains.
  • Includes exemptions for chickens from specific state burial-rule requirements.

Practical considerations

  • Cemeteries will need policy updates to handle pet green burials.
  • Funerary providers may offer biodegradable containers and related services.
  • The provisions emphasize environmentally friendly burial methods and limit only to non-embalmed, biodegradable options.

Terminology and concepts (key terms)

  • Green burial
  • Biodegradable casket
  • Biodegradable container
  • Shroud
  • Embalming (not allowed)
  • Outer burial container
  • Vault
  • Cremated remains
  • Dog, cat, chicken (domesticated)
  • Public cemetery
  • Private cemetery
  • Minnesota Rules parts 1721.0690 to 1721.0740

Relevant Terms - green burial - biodegradable container - shroud - biodegradable casket - embalming - outer burial container - vault - cremated remains - domesticated dog - domesticated cat - chicken - public cemetery - private cemetery - Minnesota Rules parts 1721.0690 to 1721.0740

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 05, 2026HouseActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toHealth Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Creates Subd.7 outlining green burial allowances for specific animals alongside human remains in public cemeteries.",
        "Specifies conditions: no embalming, biodegradables in a casket/shroud or separate biodegradable container, and no vault or outer burial container.",
        "Allows cremated remains to be buried with the human remains in a biodegradable container or shroud."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Adds Subd.7 to Minn. Stat. §306.991 to authorize public cemeteries to bury certain animals with a human body under green burial practices, with specific conditions on embalming, containment, and vault requirements; permits burial of cremated remains in a biodegradable container; includes a chicken burial exemption from Minnesota Rules.",
      "modified": [
        "Introduces a new subdivision within the statute; no other textual modifications to existing provisions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "306.991",
    "subdivision": "Subd.7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Creates Subd.7 specifying green burial allowances for animals with human remains in private cemeteries.",
        "Details conditions: no embalming, biodegradable container or shroud (or equivalent biodegradable container), and no vault or outer burial container.",
        "Allows cremated remains to be buried with the human remains in a biodegradable container or shroud."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Adds Subd.7 to Minn. Stat. §307.14 to mirror the public cemetery provision, enabling private cemeteries to bury certain animals with a human body under green burial practices, with specified conditions.",
      "modified": [
        "Introduces a new subdivision within the statute; no other textual modifications to existing provisions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "307.14",
    "subdivision": "Subd.7"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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