Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-126 — Violation of sepulture; defilement of a dead human body; penalties

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 5: Trespass to Realty, Code of Virginia.

Criminal charges under this statute

Violation of sepulture

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-126

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-126Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session

A. If a person unlawfully disinters or displaces a dead human body, or any part of a dead human body which has been deposited in any vault, grave or other burial place, he is guilty of a Class 4 felony. B. If a person willfully and intentionally physically defiles a dead human body he is guilty of a Class 6 felony. For the purposes of this section, the term "defile" shall not include any autopsy or the recovery of organs or tissues for transplantation, or any other lawful purpose.

Official sources

Official section text (law.lis.virginia.gov)

Questions this section answers

Is violation of sepulture a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: violation of sepulture ranges from a class 6 felony to a class 4 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-126.

Unlawful disinterment or displacement of a dead human body: class 4 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-126A) · Willful and intentional defilement of a dead human body: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-126B)

Which Virginia statute covers violation of sepulture?

Violation of sepulture is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-126 (Violation of sepulture; defilement of a dead human body; penalties).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.