Tenn. Code Ann. § 11-6-118: Import or export of human remains

(a) The import into Tennessee or the export from Tennessee of human remains is prohibited except in the following instances: (1) Import or export by hospitals, medical schools, colleges or universities for education or research purposes; (2) Import for burial or reburial in Tennessee or export for burial or reburial in another state or country; (3) Import or export for preparation for burial or reburial; (4) Import or export for use as evidence in any judicial proceeding; or (5) Import or export by state, county, or municipal law enforcement agencies for the purpose of human remains detection training; provided, that the import and export of human remains for human remains detection training must be conducted in accordance with best practices and procedures regarding: (A) The secure storage of human remains; (B) The use of human remains as a training aid for human remains detection training; and (C) Proper disposal methods for human remains after the remains are no longer being used as a training aid. (b) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class E felony. (c) Any remains so imported or exported shall be confiscated and subject to disposition as provided in §§ 11-6-104 and 11-6-119 . Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1054,s 1, eff. 5/28/2024. Acts 1990, ch. 852, § 11; 2006, ch. 896, § 2.

(a) The import into Tennessee or the export from Tennessee of human remains is prohibited except in the following instances: (1) Import or export by hospitals, medical schools, colleges or universities for education or research purposes; (2) Import for burial or reburial in Tennessee or export for burial or reburial in another state or country; (3) Import or export for preparation for burial or reburial; (4) Import or export for use as evidence in any judicial proceeding; or (5) Import or export by state, county, or municipal law enforcement agencies for the purpose of human remains detection training; provided, that the import and export of human remains for human remains detection training must be conducted in accordance with best practices and procedures regarding: (A) The secure storage of human remains; (B) The use of human remains as a training aid for human remains detection training; and (C) Proper disposal methods for human remains after the remains are no longer being used as a training aid.

(1) Import or export by hospitals, medical schools, colleges or universities for education or research purposes;

(2) Import for burial or reburial in Tennessee or export for burial or reburial in another state or country;

(3) Import or export for preparation for burial or reburial;

(4) Import or export for use as evidence in any judicial proceeding; or

(5) Import or export by state, county, or municipal law enforcement agencies for the purpose of human remains detection training; provided, that the import and export of human remains for human remains detection training must be conducted in accordance with best practices and procedures regarding: (A) The secure storage of human remains; (B) The use of human remains as a training aid for human remains detection training; and (C) Proper disposal methods for human remains after the remains are no longer being used as a training aid.

(A) The secure storage of human remains;

(B) The use of human remains as a training aid for human remains detection training; and

(C) Proper disposal methods for human remains after the remains are no longer being used as a training aid.

(b) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class E felony.

(c) Any remains so imported or exported shall be confiscated and subject to disposition as provided in §§ 11-6-104 and 11-6-119 .