Illinois Funeral Home Investigation Spurs New Law on Handling Human Remains

The Illinois State Police have officially concluded their investigation into the Heinz Funeral Home in Carlinville, with findings now in the hands of the Macoupin County State's Attorney. This investigation highlights the importance of oversight within the funeral home industry, particularly in the handling of human remains.

In September 2023, Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon announced that his office had started an investigation into Heinz Funeral Home/Family Care Cremations in Carlinville. This action was taken after numerous families reported receiving the incorrect cremated remains.

In response to concerns raised by this and similar cases, legislative measures were proposed throughout the spring legislative session to prevent future incidents and hold funeral homes to higher standards.

Senate Bill 2643, a new law championed by co-sponsored by Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield), creates new regulations to hold funeral homes accountable. The law establishes a tagging system for all human remains, ensuring they are returned to the correct next of kin and mandates detailed chain of custody documentation for all deaths in Illinois.

This year McClure also proposed Senate Bill 3263, a measure that would have criminalized the mishandling of human remains. McClure's legislation targets actions like inaccurate documentation, illegal storage, and intentional misidentification of remains. However, SB 3263 has not yet been passed by the Senate.