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Subcommittee advances bill to clarify next-of-kin authority for funeral arrangements
Summary
The subcommittee voted 7–0 to report House Bill 2246, a measure that sets timelines and criteria to resolve disputes among next of kin over funeral arrangements and gives funeral homes clearer authority when families do not reach agreement within 30 days.
House Bill 2246, presented by Delegate Runyon, would clarify the process for funeral homes and local authorities when there is disagreement among next of kin about final arrangements for a deceased person. The measure lays out timelines and criteria intended to help funeral homes proceed when families cannot reach agreement and to avoid prolonged refrigeration or indefinite holding of remains.
Advocates from funeral-industry groups testified in favor. Scott Johnson of Service Corporation International told the subcommittee that the bill would finish work started last year and that courts typically place such petitions on an expedited docket, but funeral directors need statutory clarity about what to do when no court order or family agreement exists after 30 days. Angie Biesick of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association and Bo Keeney of the Association of Independent Funeral Homes of Virginia also supported the bill.
Evelyn Whitehead of the Injustice Reform Network testified the measure is “absolutely vital,” describing emotional stress when families disagree and saying clearer rules would especially benefit Black and brown communities that might lack prearranged instructions.
Members probed the bill’s language about “written notice of agreement among next of kin” and whether informal agreements to mediate could be misconstrued as final resolutions. Supporters and the bill patron said the language was intended to give flexibility so siblings who later agree can resolve matters without court intervention; if mediation or a formal court order resolves the dispute, that would satisfy the bill’s requirement. Committee counsel agreed to look further at whether additional entities are captured by the statutory definitions.
Action: The subcommittee moved to report the bill; the clerk recorded the vote as 7 to 0 in favor. The measure was advanced out of subcommittee.
Ending: The bill was reported out with support from industry groups and family advocates; the committee requested counsel to ensure the text covers the intended list of potential “next of kin” and does not inadvertently require formal court processes when families reach informal agreements.
