Tennessee § 41-21-221 - Examination and burial of deceased prisoners.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 41-21-221 — Examination and burial of deceased prisoners., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 41-21-221. Examination and burial of deceased prisoners.
Whenever any inmate dies in the penitentiary, the warden shall forthwith notify the commissioner of correction, if practicable, and summon at least one (1) licensed physician of the county of the prison to examine the body of the deceased, whose duty it is to attend and ascertain, as nearly as may be, the cause of death, and report the cause to the commissioner. The warden shall not permit the body to be buried until that examination is made. If the body is not applied for by the friends of the deceased, nor for medical and surgical science under the provisions of the law, within a convenient time after the examination, the warden shall have it decently interred in the burying place provided for the penitentiary. Code 1858, §§ 5529, 5530; impl. am. Acts 1895 (Ex. Sess.), ch. 7, § 21; impl. am. Acts 1897, ch. 125, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1899, ch. 206; impl. am. Acts 1915, ch. 20, § 9; Shan., §§ 7548, 7549; impl. am. Acts 1919, ch. 39, §§ 1, 2; impl. am. Acts 1923, ch. 7, § 42; Code 1932, §§ 12147, 12148; impl. am. Acts 1955, ch. 102; 1972, ch. 576, § 19; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 41-344, 41-345. Cross-References. Bodies used for scientific purposes, title 68, ch. 4. Summons of relatives, § 68-4-101 .
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 41-21-221
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 41-21-221 cover?
Section 41-21-221 ("Examination and burial of deceased prisoners.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 41-21-221?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 41-21-221" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 41-21-221 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.