16-03-2025
Crematory horrors spur Maryland lawmakers to push for reform
Following the discovery of mishandled remains and decomposing bodies at a Maryland crematory in January, state lawmakers are proposing stiffer penalties and heavier oversight for the death industry.
Del. Harry Bhandari (D-Baltimore County), who presented H.B. 1555 to the House Health and Government Operations Committee on Thursday night, said he began drafting the bill in February after lawmakers first heard about families whose loved ones were sent to Heaven Bound Cremation Services in White Plains, Maryland. Horrifying conditions that led the state to shutter the crematory left those families reeling and questioning how their loved ones' bodies had been handled and whether they received the right ashes.
