I don't believe there is a direct federal or state law that requires you be buried in a casket. However, funeral parks might use Funeral Rules to make you use caskets. The site below are some funeral rules and regulations.

http://www.bestpricecaskets.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=Funeral_Home_Laws_Caskets
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Although it is hard to show a negative and it is hard to locate laws, I would say that it is very unlikely that such a law would exist.

The bulk of law about funerals pertains to preventing fraud or overcharging by the funeral business. There are sure to be public health laws that can pertain as well.

I don't see any likelihood that burial in a car would run up against either sort of law. There is no requirement to be buried in a casket, let alone a particular style. The funeral parlor would not be selling the car, it always seems to be some treasured possession of the deceased. I can't imagine any public health issue, unless it became a fad and happens too often.

Burial in a vehicle has been seen from time to time at least since the early Iron Age in Eurasia. Never common, always expensive, but not illegal.
Source(s):
http://books.google.com/books?id=vx251bK988gC&pg=RA6-PA407&lpg=RA6-...

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I don't know, but I watched that guy being buried in his car and my only thought was, "Geez, they sure didn't dig a very deep hole!"

Did anyone notice he had his seatbelt on? LOL
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