# Wis. Stat. § 157.03: Restrictions on use of bodies for anatomical purposes; embalming such bodies; delivery of bodies to relatives

> Wisconsin · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.03

## Section

- **Citation:** Wis. Stat. § 157.03
- **Heading:** Restrictions on use of bodies for anatomical purposes; embalming such bodies; delivery of bodies to relatives
- **Jurisdiction:** Wisconsin
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WI Code / Chapter 157 / Section 157.03

## Text

(1) The corpse of a person who died with smallpox, diphtheria or scarlet fever, or who in his or her last sickness shall request to be buried or cremated, and of a stranger or traveler who suddenly died, shall not be disposed of under s. 157.02 (3) , and no person having charge of a corpse authorized to be so disposed of shall sell or deliver it to be used outside the state.

(2) Upon receipt of the corpse by a university or school pursuant to s. 157.02 (3) it shall be properly embalmed and retained for 3 months before being used or dismembered and shall be delivered to any relative claiming it upon satisfactory proof of relationship.

History: 1985 a. 316 ss. 14 , 25 ; Stats. 1985 s. 157.03; 1993 a. 482 .

## Nearby sections

- [Wis. Stat. § 157.01 Rules for preparation, transportation and disposition.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.01.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.02 Disposal of unclaimed corpses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.02.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.03 Restrictions on use of bodies for anatomical purposes; embalming such bodies; delivery of bodies to relatives.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.03.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.04 Penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.04.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.05 Autopsy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.05.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.06 Anatomical gifts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.06.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.07 Platting.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.07.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.08 Conveyances.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.08.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.10 Alienation, disposition, and use of cemetery lots and mausoleum spaces.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.10.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.11 Improvement and care of cemetery lots and grounds.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.11.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.12 Mausoleums.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.12.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.19 Deposit and investment of care funds and preneed trust funds.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.19.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.50 Municipal cemeteries.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.50.md)
- [Wis. Stat. § 157.055 Disposal of human remains during state of emergency relating to public health.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.055.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WI_C157_S157.03. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.