A lawmaker on Sunday pushed for the passage of a measure seeking to penalize the detention of cadavers in funeral homes and morgues on grounds of non-payment of embalming and other mortuary services.

In filing House Bill 1292, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. said it is “cruel and inhuman” for morgues and funeral homes to hold “hostage” the remains of the deceased as security for payment or financial gain, adding that such a scheme should be outlawed.

“There are numerous instances where funeral parlors and other similar funeral service providers refuse to release the bodies of the deceased until the embalming and other funeral expenses are paid,” he said. ” It is a shameful and anti-poor business practice that should be condemned by Congress.”

Under the bill, it would be unlawful for providers of embalming, burial, and cremation services to hold up the release of a cadaver directly or indirectly for the failure of family members to settle the cost of mortuary services.

The bill states that any employee or officer of a morgue or funeral home who withholds the release of a cadaver as security for payment of mortuary services would face up to six months in prison plus a fine of up to PHP50,000.

The bill puts the Department of Health in charge of enforcing the prohibition.

If enacted into law, surviving family members unable to pay any mortuary charges may claim the body, complete with all the necessary release papers, by simply executing a promissory note with a co-maker. (PNA)