Indiana House committee passes bio-cremation measure

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A measure that would legalize the chemical disposal of human bodies has passed an Indiana House committee but a similar measure has died in an Indiana Senate committee.

The Lafayette Journal and Courier reports (http://on.jconline.com/1Jrl77A ) the bill passed the Committee of Public Health by an 11-1 vote on Wednesday. However its companion measure was killed by the Indiana Senate's Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law on Tuesday when a motion to advance the bill didn't receive a second.

The legislation would require the State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Service to adopt rules for alkaline hydrolysis. The alternative to traditional cremation has human remains put in a strong alkaline solution that dissolves body tissue. Remaining bones are ground and returned to family, similar to ashes.

The process is legal in 11 states.

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Information from: Journal and Courier, http://www.jconline.com