HF3958 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Private and public cemeteries allowed to bury certain animals in green burials.
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
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 05, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Health 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
In Committee