{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-health-and-safety-code-714.001","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Health and Safety Code § 714.001","heading":"DEPTH OF GRAVES; CRIMINAL PENALTY.","body":"(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:\n(1) less than two feet below the surface of the ground if the container is not made of an impermeable material; or\n(2) less than 1-1/2 feet below the surface of the ground if the container is made of an impermeable material.\n(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).\n(c) This section does not apply to burials in a sealed surface reinforced concrete burial vault.\n(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.\n(e) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $200.\nActs 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.","path":["HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE","TITLE 8. DEATH AND DISPOSITION OF THE BODY","SUBTITLE C. CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIES","CHAPTER 714. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO CEMETERIES"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.714.htm#714.001","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:17Z","sha256":"03b7c647cbd0b39c1a1093b0093e36ceda295c523c068186d55fbb79d806c882","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-health-and-safety-code-713.029","next":"us-tx/tex.-health-and-safety-code-714.002"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}