Florida Statute 872.06
“Abuse of a dead human body; penalty”
What it means
A person who mutilates, commits sexual abuse upon, or otherwise grossly abuses a dead human body commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083 or s. 775.084. “Sexual abuse” is defined in subsection (1)(b) in three categories: penetration of a dead body's anus or female genitals by a sexual organ or any other object; contact or union of the penis, female genitals or anus of a person with the mouth, penis, female genitals or anus of a dead body; and contact or union of a person's mouth with the penis, female genitals or anus of a dead body.
The section contains an exception: any act done for a bona fide medical purpose or for any other lawful purpose does not under any circumstance constitute a violation.
- Mutilating, committing sexual abuse upon, or otherwise grossly abusing a dead human body is a second-degree felony (§ 872.06(2)).
- “Sexual abuse” is defined in three numbered categories of penetration or contact (§ 872.06(1)(b)).
- An act done for a bona fide medical purpose or for any other lawful purpose does not under any circumstance violate the section (§ 872.06(2)).
Text of the statute (2026)
(1) As used in this section, the term: (a) “Female genitals” includes the labia minora, labia majora, clitoris, vulva, hymen, and vagina. (b) “Sexual abuse” means: 1. Anal or female genital penetration of a dead human body by the sexual organ of a person or by any other object; 2. Contact or union of the penis, female genitals, or anus of a person with the mouth, penis, female genitals, or anus of a dead human body; or 3. Contact or union of a person’s mouth with the penis, female genitals, or anus of a dead human body.
(2) A person who mutilates, commits sexual abuse upon, or otherwise grossly abuses a dead human body commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. Any act done for a bona fide medical purpose or for any other lawful purpose does not under any circumstance constitute a violation of this section.
Excerpts are the subsections the summary relies on. Read the full official text of § 872.06.
History. s. 1, ch. 96-393; s. 11, ch. 2022-165.
How it applies
The section turns on purpose. An act done for a bona fide medical purpose or any other lawful purpose is outside it, so the question in any case is whether the act was done for such a purpose. Other statutes govern who may authorize disposition of remains (§ 497.005(43)) and the sale of organs and tissue (§ 873.01). Disturbing the contents of a grave or tomb is addressed separately in § 872.02, and dealing in dead bodies in § 872.01.
Where this shows up
Pages on this site where § 872.06 does real work:
Questions people ask
Sources
- Fla. Stat. § 872.06 (“Any act done for a bona fide medical purpose or for any other lawful purpose does not under any circumstance constitute a violation of this section.”)
Last checked: October 17, 2026
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