The state of Kentucky has passed a law requiring authorities to contact Chabad before cremating an unclaimed deceased individual.
The bill, sponsored by Republican state Senator Greg Elkins, allows coroners to cremate bodies but requires them to work with religious organizations that volunteer to provide burial for anyone of their faith.
While earlier versions of the bill specifically referenced Chabad, the final law was broadened to include any religious organization willing to assume responsibility. Chabad has already offered to cover all costs for any Jewish person in need.
Rabbi Shlomo Litvin, Director of Chabad of the Bluegrass and Chairman of the Kentucky Jewish Council, who helped with the legislation, praised the bill's expansion, saying "this was never about credit, it’s about helping people."
Burial with dignity rather than cremation against their beliefs
"If someone can be buried with dignity, and according to Jewish Law, instead of being cremated against their beliefs, that’s what matters. And hopefully this creates a model that can be copied in other jurisdictions.”
Ian Williamson, Treasurer of the Kentucky Jewish Council, said Rabbi Litvin showed "unwavering commitment throughout this process."
Existing Kentucky state law mandates that one must obtain a permit before cremating the body. Jewish law, however, prohibits cremation and is unequivocal that the dead must be buried in the earth.
Cremated remains cannot typically be interred in a Jewish cemetery, and the traditional laws of mourning are not observed after the passing of an individual whose body was cremated.
The requirement to bury is grounded in two specific passages of the Torah: "For dust you are, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19) and "You shall surely bury him" (Deuteronomy 21:23).
The Jerusalem Post reached out to Rabbi Litvin for comment.