(1) Every person who removes human remains, or any part thereof, from a grave, vault, or other place where the same has been buried or deposited awaiting final disposition, without authority of law, with intent to sell the same, or for the purpose of securing a reward for its return, or for dissection, or from malice or wantonness, is guilty of a class C felony.

Attorney's Note

Under the Washington Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
class C felonyup to 5 yearsup to $10,000
For details, see Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.20.021

Terms Used In Washington Code 68.50.140

  • person: may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual. See Washington Code 1.16.080
(2) Every person who purchases or receives, except for burial or final disposition, human remains or any part thereof, knowing that the same has been removed contrary to the foregoing provisions, is guilty of a class C felony.
(3) Every person who opens a grave or other place of interment, temporary or otherwise, or a building where human remains are placed, with intent to sell or remove the casket, urn, or of any part thereof, or anything attached thereto, or any vestment, or other article interred, or intended to be interred with the human remains, is guilty of a class C felony.
(4) Every person who removes, disinters, or mutilates human remains from a place of interment, without authority of law, is guilty of a class C felony.
[ 2019 c 432 § 22; 2005 c 365 § 140; 2003 c 53 § 308; 1992 c 7 § 44; 1909 c 249 § 239; RRS § 2491. FORMER PART OF SECTION: 1943 c 247 § 25 now codified as RCW 68.50.145. Formerly RCW 68.08.140.]

NOTES:

Effective date—2019 c 432: See note following RCW 68.05.175.
Intent—Effective date—2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.
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