Requires entities having possession of unclaimed bodies of deceased persons known to be of Jewish descent or of Muslim descent to contact certain organizations to inquire if such organizations are willing to assume responsibility for the burial or cremation of such persons.
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
11146
I N A S S E M B L Y
April 24, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. WIEDER -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the handling of
certain unclaimed bodies
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section
4211-a to read as follows:
§ 4211-A. CADAVERS; UNCLAIMED; DELIVERY TO RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 1.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION FORTY-TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN OF
THIS TITLE, AND PRIOR TO THE DISPOSITION OF A BODY PURSUANT TO SUCH
SECTION, IF THE BODY OF A DECEASED PERSON IS NOT CLAIMED AS PROVIDED IN
SECTION FORTY-TWO HUNDRED TWO OF THIS ARTICLE AND SUCH PERSON IS KNOWN
TO HAVE BEEN OF JEWISH DESCENT OR OF MUSLIM DESCENT, THE DIRECTOR OR
PERSON IN CHARGE OF ANY HOSPITAL, INSTITUTION, MORGUE OR OTHER PLACE FOR
BODIES OF DECEASED PERSONS NOT INTERRED OR OTHERWISE FINALLY DISPOSED
OF, AND EVERY FUNERAL DIRECTOR, UNDERTAKER OR OTHER PERSON HAVING IN
THEIR LAWFUL POSSESSION, ANY BODY OF A DECEASED PERSON FOR KEEPING
OR BURIAL, SHALL CONTACT: (A) FOR PERSONS OF JEWISH DESCENT: (I)
MISASKIM, 5805 16TH AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11204, (718) 854-4548; (II) CHESED
SHEL EMES, 1224 52ND ST, BROOKLYN, NY 11219, (855) 273-2121; AND/OR
(III) HEBREW FREE BURIAL ASSOCIATION, INC. 330 7TH AVENUE, 10TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10001, (212) 239-1664; OR (B) FOR PERSONS OF MUSLIM
DESCENT: JANAZAH COMMUNITY FUNERAL SERVICES, 5306 3RD AVE, BROOKLYN, NY
11220, (646) 427-3885, OR ANY SUCCESSOR ORGANIZATIONS, AND INQUIRE IF
THE ORGANIZATION IS WILLING TO PAY FOR THE BURIAL EXPENSE OF THE
DECEASED PERSON, AND, IF THE ORGANIZATION IS WILLING TO DO SO, DELIVER
THE BODY OF THE DECEASED PERSON IN THEIR POSSESSION, CHARGE, CUSTODY OR
CONTROL NOT PLACED THEREIN BY ANY PERSON, AGENCY OR ORGANIZATION FOR
KEEPING, BURIAL OR OTHER LAWFUL DISPOSITION TO THE AGREEING ORGANIZA-
TION.
2. NO UNCLAIMED HUMAN REMAINS SHALL BE BURIED, CREMATED, OR OTHERWISE
FINALLY DISPOSED OF UNLESS SUCH REMAINS HAVE FIRST BEEN ENTERED INTO THE
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15576-02-6
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