What Are the Burial and Cremation Laws in Wyoming?
See who controls final arrangements, cremation and burial rules, and permit requirements in Wyoming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wyoming allows burial on private property. No specific state statute prohibits burial on private property. Must comply with local zoning ordinances and county regulations. A burial-transit permit must be obtained from the local registrar before final disposition (Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-1-420).
Wyoming has a 24-hour minimum waiting period before cremation. Cremation must be authorized by Signed authorization from nearest legal next of kin per 035-6 Wyo. Code R. § 6-7; crematory or chemical disposition facility must also receive the burial-transit permit before accepting remains (Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-16-533).
No. Natural organic reduction (human composting) is not currently authorized in Wyoming.
Yes. Alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation) is legal in Wyoming.
Wyoming sets a statutory order for who controls the disposition of remains (Wyo. Stat. 2-17-101): Person designated in written instructions or disposition document per 2-17-101(a), then Surviving spouse, then Adult child of the decedent, and so on. You can also name your own agent to control your remains in a signed, written document before death. You can record those wishes alongside the rest of your estate plan when you create a revocable living trust.
No. Wyoming does not require embalming by law. No state law requires embalming. All bodies in possession of a funeral service practitioner or funeral director must be properly refrigerated, cremated, chemically disposed, buried, or embalmed within 36 hours after receipt (035-4 Wyo. Code R. § 4-5). Refrigeration is an explicit alternative to embalming.
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Wyoming Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Wyoming probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
