§711-1108 - Abuse of a corpse. - Hawaii Statutes

     §711-1108  Abuse of a corpse.  (1)  A person commits the offense of abuse of a corpse if, except as authorized by law, the person treats a human corpse in a way that the person knows would outrage ordinary family sensibilities.

     (2)  Abuse of a corpse is a misdemeanor. [L 1972, c 9, pt of §1; gen ch 1993]

 

COMMENTARY ON §711-1108

 

  This section prohibits any sort of outrageous treatment of a human corpse, including sexual contact (necrophilia) and physical abuse.  It does not, of course, relate to legally authorized activities of undertakers and physicians.  Knowledge that ordinary family sensibilities would be outraged must be proved.

  Previous Hawaii law prohibited the disinterment, disturbance, or scattering of any human body that has been legally interred.[1]  Section 711-1108 is more comprehensive in coverage.

 

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§711-1108 Commentary:

 

1.  H.R.S. §734-3.