District of ColumbiaD.C. funeral businesses may offer water-based body treatment after review
After a 30-day congressional review period, D.C. funeral businesses may use water, alkaline chemicals, and heat to break down human remains.
What it does
D.C. funeral businesses may use water, alkaline chemicals, and heat to break down human remains once the required congressional review period ends.
D.C.'s records rules would use the term “alkaline hydrolysis” and describe the material left after that process or cremation.
Argument forAfter the required review period, families may value having this water-based option available through a funeral business.
Argument againstSome families might feel uneasy about using alkaline chemicals and heat to break down a loved one's body.
More detail
D.C. funeral businesses may use alkaline hydrolysis once the act takes effect. The authorization covers treatment of human remains at D.C. funeral services establishments. The process uses water, alkaline chemicals, and heat in a watertight vessel. The act takes effect after the mayor's approval and a 30-day congressional review period.
D.C. would use the term “alkaline hydrolysis” in its vital records rules. The records rules describe the material left after cremation or alkaline hydrolysis. The act defines cremation as burning a body and alkaline hydrolysis as using water, alkaline chemicals, and heat. These rules take effect after the mayor's approval and a 30-day congressional review period.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 23Act A26-0422 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 013457Latest
- Oct 16Returned from Mayor
- Oct 16Signed by the Mayor and Enacted with Act Number A26-0422Became Law
- Oct 5Transmitted to Mayor, Response Due on Oct 20, 2026To Governor
- Sep 22Final ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Amendment (Henderson). Result: pass.Legislature
- Vote recorded Final Reading. Result: pass.Legislature
- Sep 22Amendment (Henderson)Minor
- Jul 14First Reading, CCMinor
- Vote recorded First Reading, CC. Result: pass.Legislature
- Jul 8Committee Mark-up of B26-0547 by the Health Committee
- Mar 23Public Hearing on B26-0547
- Mar 6Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Mar 3Re-Referred to Committee on HealthMinor
- Mar 2Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary by HealthMinor
- Feb 27Re-Referral published.
- 2025
- Dec 19Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0547 Published in the District of Columbia Register
- Dec 16Referred to Committee on Business and Economic DevelopmentMinor
- Dec 15B26-0547 Introduced by Councilmember McDuffie at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
HealthcareGovernment & Ethics