Indiana statute
Ind. Code § 35-45-19-3 — Discovery or handling of human remains; failure to report
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 19: Failure to Report a Dead Body, Indiana Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Ind. Code § 35-45-19-3
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Indiana.
Sec. 3. A person who: (1) discovers or handles human remains when it appears the deceased person died: (A) by violence, suicide, or accident; (B) suddenly, while in apparent good health; (C) while unattended; (D) from poisoning or an overdose of drugs; (E) as the result of a disease that may constitute a threat to public health; (F) as the result of: (i) a disease; (ii) an injury; (iii) a toxic effect; or (iv) unusual exertion; incurred within the scope of the deceased person's employment; (G) due to sudden infant death syndrome; (H) as the result of a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure; or (I) under any other suspicious or unusual circumstances; and (2) knowingly or intentionally fails to report the discovery or handling of the human remains to a: (A) public safety officer; (B) coroner; (C) funeral director; (D) physician; or (E) 911 telephone call center; within three (3) hours after finding the human remains; commits failure to report the discovery or handling of human remains, a Class A misdemeanor.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is discovery or handling of human remains; failure to report a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
Discovery or handling of human remains; failure to report is a Class A Misdemeanor in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-45-19-3.
Which Indiana statute covers discovery or handling of human remains; failure to report?
Discovery or handling of human remains; failure to report is governed by Ind. Code § 35-45-19-3 (Discovery or handling of human remains; failure to report).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.