Utah statute
Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-802 — Abuse or desecration of a dead human body.
Current through 2026 General Session
Part of Part 8: Offenses Committed Against the Deceased, Utah Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-802
Statutory text current through the 2026 General Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Utah.
(1)(a) As used in this section, "sexual penetration" means the penetration, however slight, of the genital or anal opening by any object, substance, instrument, or device, including a part of the human body, or penetration involving the genitals of the actor and the mouth of a dead human body. (1)(b) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5 and 76-5-801 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits abuse or desecration of a dead human body if the actor intentionally and unlawfully: (2)(a) disturbs, moves, removes, conceals, or destroys a dead human body or any part of the dead human body; (2)(b) disinters a buried or otherwise interred dead human body, without authority of a court order; (2)(c) dismembers a dead human body to any extent, or damages or detaches any part or portion of a dead human body; or (2)(d) commits or attempts to commit upon any dead human body any act of sexual penetration, regardless of the sex of the actor and of the dead human body. (3) A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony. (4) An actor does not violate this section if when the actor directs or carries out procedures regarding a dead human body, the actor complies with: (4)(a) Title 9, Chapter 8a, Part 3, Antiquities; (4)(b) Title 26B, Chapter 8, Part 2, Utah Medical Examiner; (4)(c) Title 26B, Chapter 8, Part 3, Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act; (4)(d) Section 53H-4-203; (4)(e) Title 58, Chapter 9, Funeral Services Licensing Act; or (4)(f) Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, which concerns licensing to practice medicine. (5) For purposes of this section, a dead human body includes any part of a human body in any stage of decomposition, including ancient human remains.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is abuse or desecration of a dead human body a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
Abuse or desecration of a dead human body is a Third Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-802.
Which Utah statute covers abuse or desecration of a dead human body?
Abuse or desecration of a dead human body is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-802 (Abuse or desecration of a dead human body).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.