The Future of Funerals: How SB2643, the Integrity in Death Care Act, Is Changing the Game

Updated October 2026. This post was first published in December 2023, while SB2643 was still a bill. It has been rewritten to reflect the law as enacted and the rule that implements it.

What SB2643 became

Illinois SB2643 became Public Act 103-0907, the Integrity in Death Care Act. It took effect January 1, 2025, and added chain-of-custody requirements for funeral establishments (225 ILCS 41/15-56) and crematory authorities (410 ILCS 18/35(o)).

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) then adopted the rule that spells out the details: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1250.240, "Chain of Custody Records," in force December 10, 2025.

What the chain-of-custody record must include

Under Section 1250.240, the record must include, at a minimum:

• A unique identifier specific to each funeral establishment or funeral business, attached to the remains and accompanying them on each step of the disposition process. A copy goes on the casket or alternative container before delivery to the crematorium.
• Verification of identification when you assume custody; before and after storage; on transfers to and from the crematorium (recording the crematorium's identifier); on transfers to and from the funeral establishment or business; on transfers to and from a separately owned establishment or business (recording both businesses' identifiers); and on transportation to the place of final disposition.
• Tracking tags carrying the identifier on every container if remains are separated.
• Five years of record retention.
• Electronic or paper tracking systems, as long as the Department can audit the files.

If you contract your removals

The duty runs through final disposition, not to the point of transfer. When remains move between separately owned businesses, identification is verified and both businesses' identifiers are recorded. A handoff with no confirmation of receipt coming back is a gap in your chain.

Inspections and penalties

• Inspections: IDFPR must inspect within ten business days of a complaint alleging mishandling of remains or misidentification.
• Criminal penalty: intentionally or knowingly violating the chain-of-custody record requirements is a Class 4 felony. Falsification is not required.
• Discipline: fines can reach $10,000 per violation.

Where to start

Pull a recent case file and walk it against the list above. Can you show the identifier, every verification point, and every transfer, including any made by a contracted removal service? The free Illinois Funeral Home Audit Compliance Checklist turns each requirement into a box to check, so you can count your gaps.

MorTrack records each custody event as it happens, which helps reduce documentation gaps and keeps audit-ready documentation in one place. It does not guarantee compliance, and no software can. Book a free 20-minute workflow review and we'll walk your current process against Section 1250.240 with you, whether or not you use MorTrack.

Informational only; not legal advice. Reflects MorTrack's interpretation of Illinois law as of October 2026. Requirements change over time; contact IDFPR or consult qualified counsel for official guidance. References: Public Act 103-0907; 225 ILCS 41/15-56; 225 ILCS 41/15-75; 410 ILCS 18/35(o); 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1250.240 (49 Ill. Reg. 16260, effective December 10, 2025).