(a) The import into Tennessee or the export from Tennessee of human remains is prohibited except in the following instances:

Attorney's Note

Under the Tennessee Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
class E felony1 to 6 yearsup to $3,000
For details, see Tenn. Code § 40-35-111

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 11-6-118

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Human remains: means the bodies of deceased persons, in whatever stage of decomposition, including, but not limited to, skeletal remains, mummies, or body parts. See Tennessee Code 11-6-102
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(1) Import or export by hospitals, medical schools, colleges or universities for education or research purposes;
(2) Import for burial or reburial in Tennessee or export for burial or reburial in another state or country;
(3) Import or export for preparation for burial or reburial; or
(4) Import or export for use as evidence in any judicial proceeding.
(b) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class E felony.
(c) Any remains so imported or exported shall be confiscated and subject to disposition as provided in §§ 11-6-104 and 11-6-119.