Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to establish guidelines and requirements for green burials in Minnesota, ensuring that these environmentally sustainable burial practices are recognized and standardized within public and private cemeteries.

Main Provisions

1. Definition of Green Burial:

   • A green burial emphasizes environmental sustainability, without embalming the body. It uses a biodegradable casket or shroud and does not employ a vault or outer burial container.

2. Public Cemetery Regulations:

   • Cemeteries that offer green burial options must set plots back 50 feet from property lines.
   • Green burials must occur at a minimum depth of three and a half feet, with the same amount of cover above.

3. Water Source and Drainage Protection:

   • Burial plots cannot be in areas that are flood-prone, in standing water, or within protected groundwater zones.
   • Plots must maintain certain distances from water sources: 50 feet from water supply wells, 100 feet from other springs and watercourses, and 33 feet from drainage systems.

4. Burial Density:

   • Limits density to a maximum of 300 burials per acre over a 100-year period.

5. Cremated Remains:

   • Cemeteries must designate specific areas for scattering cremated remains.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill adds a new subdivision to Minnesota Statutes, specifically detailing green burial practices.
• Introduces mandatory compliance for both public and private cemeteries offering green burial options, thus standardizing how environmentally friendly practices are implemented.

Relevant Terms

green burial, biodegradable casket, environmental sustainability, cemetery regulations, water protection zones, cremated remains scattering