Cemeteries: removal of remains.

Children

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Nguyen
Last action: 2026-04-16
Official status: In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on what constitutes 'good cause'.

Cemeteries: Rules for Removing Remains

AB-2331 updates the rules about removing human remains from cemeteries, requiring a court to grant permission if there is good cause and making small changes to paperwork.

What This Bill Does

Requires a court to grant permission upon showing of good cause for removing remains when written consent cannot be obtained.
Keeps existing rules that require written consent from family members or a local registrar for removing remains.
Makes technical, nonsubstantive changes to documentation and transport rules.

Who It Names or Affects

Cemetery authorities who manage burial plots
Family members of deceased people
Courts that handle requests to remove remains

Terms To Know

Registrar: A local official who keeps records and issues permits.
Superior court: The main type of trial court in California that can handle serious cases, including requests to remove remains from a cemetery.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify what 'good cause' means exactly.
Only applies to cemeteries within the state of California.

Bill History

2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 68. Noes 0.)
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 7).
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2331, as amended, Nguyen.
Human remains: disposition.
Cemeteries: removal of remains.
Existing law prohibits a cemetery authority from removing or permitting the removal of any interred remains, unless a permit for the removal has been issued by the local registrar of the district in which the premises are located, and delivered to the cemetery authority. Existing law authorizes the removal of the remains of a deceased person from a plot in a cemetery with the consent of the cemetery authority and the written consent of the surviving spouse, children, parents, or brothers or sisters, in that order. Under existing law, if the required consent cannot be obtained, permission by the superior court of the county where the cemetery is situated is sufficient.
This bill would require a court to grant an application for permission upon a showing of good
cause.
Existing law generally requires specific documentation to be completed before the disposal of human remains. Existing law also regulates the transport of human remains to out-of-state funeral establishments.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF