S.B. 982 Summary

• Authorizes alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation), natural organic reduction, and traditional cremation as methods for final disposition of human remains in Hawaii, in addition to standard burial practices.

• Adds eight new statutory definitions including "alkaline hydrolysis," "hydrolysis facility," "natural organic reduction," "cremation," and related terms to Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 531B-2.

• Amends multiple statutes (sections 327-32, 327-36, 346-15, 531B-6 through 531B-11, and 841-10) to include hydrolysis facilities and natural organic reduction facilities alongside crematories and mortuaries in burial disposition procedures and liability protections.

• Expands options for disposition of unclaimed bodies and anatomical gifts to include water cremation and alkaline hydrolysis, with state payment assistance of up to $800 total per unclaimed body.

• Promotes traditional Hawaiian burial practices by recognizing alternative disposition methods as culturally significant and environmentally preferable, while maintaining existing legal protections and procedures for funeral establishments and disposition authorities.