State lawmakers are sending a bill that would create a plan to create new funeral home regulations to the Governor’s desk in an effort to respond to the mishandling of human remains at the Heinz Funeral Home in Carlinville. 

Senate Bill 2643 is the Integrity in Death Care Act and would create an identification system for all human remains to ensure that funeral homes never mishandle human remains.  Anyone intentionally violating preparation room procedures and rules could face a Class 4 felony. People engaging in funeral directing or embalming without a license would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.  State Representative Wayne Rosenthal co-sponsored the legislation.

Senate Bill 2643 passed unanimously out of the Senate on Friday and had previously gained unanimous support in the House. It heads to the Governor’s desk for signature.