Crematoriums Must Notify Applicants When Remains Are Ready and Keep Them for 3 Years, or Face Fines
City and Environment Legislation Amendment Bill 2026
Topics
cremation services crematorium management criminal penalties death care funeral services human remains public health regulatory compliance
Introduced by: The Hon Tara Cheyne MLA (ALP) — Attorney-General, Minister , Minister for City and Government Services, Minister for Human Rights, Minister for the Night-Time Economy
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
Crematorium licensees must notify the applicant that cremated remains are available for collection within 7 days.
Licensees must keep cremated remains available for collection for 3 years after the notification date.
If the applicant does not collect the remains within the first year, the licensee must make them available to a suitable person until the 3-year period ends.
If the remains are not collected within the first 2 years, the licensee must ask the applicant or a suitable person to collect them by phone and in writing.
Crematorium licensees can be fined up to 20 penalty units (2026: $3,200) if they fail to notify the applicant within 7 days or fail to ask for collection after 2 years.
Crematorium licensees can be fined up to 50 penalty units (2026: $8,000) if they dispose of cremated remains before the 3-year period ends or without following the notification rules.