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Texas · Through 89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025

Tex. Health and Safety Code § 714.001: DEPTH OF GRAVES; CRIMINAL PENALTY.

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Where this section sits in the code
  1. HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
  2. TITLE 8. DEATH AND DISPOSITION OF THE BODY
  3. SUBTITLE C. CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIES
  4. CHAPTER 714. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO CEMETERIES

(a) The body of a decedent may not be buried in a manner so that the outside top surface of the container of the body is:

(1) less than two feet below the surface of the ground if the container is not made of an impermeable material; or

(2) less than 1-1/2 feet below the surface of the ground if the container is made of an impermeable material.

(b) The governing body of a political subdivision of this state may, because of subsurface soil conditions or other relevant considerations, permit, by ordinance or rule, burials in that political subdivision at a shallower depth than that required by Subsection (a).

(c) This section does not apply to burials in a sealed surface reinforced concrete burial vault.

(d) A person commits an offense if the person buries the body of a decedent in violation of this section or in violation of an ordinance or rule adopted under this section.

(e) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $200.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.

Collected 2026-08-27T01:47:17Z. Source file · JSON

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