Indiana Code
Ind. Code § 1-1-4-3 (2026)
Uniform Determination of Death Act
✓ current as of May 2026
Sec. 3. (a) Only an individual who has sustained either:
(1) irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions; or
(2) irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem;
is dead. A determination of death must be made in accordance with accepted medical standards.
(b) This section shall be applied and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this section among states enacting it.
(c) This section may be cited as the Uniform Determination of Death Act.
As added by P.L.1-1986, SEC.1.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1999–2024 · leading case: Randles v. Indiana Patient's Comp. Fund, 860 N.E.2d 1212 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007).
Randles v. Indiana Patient's Comp. Fund, 860 N.E.2d 1212 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). “Under the standards in the Indiana Determination of Death Act, Ind.Code § 1-1-4-3, Seandre was not dead at the time she gave birth to Sean.”
Thomas v. State, 965 N.E.2d 70 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012). “More specifically, he contends Indiana Code section 1-1-4-3 (1986) defines death as (1) irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions; or (2) irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including brain stem, and that no evidence was presented…”
Ewing v. State, 719 N.E.2d 1221 (Ind. 1999). “As for the claim that Hyatte was alive at the point of withdrawal from life support, the jury was instructed on the definition of death that appears at Indiana Code, § 1-1-4-3, which provides in relevant part: (a) Only an individual who has sustained either: (1) irreversible…”
Est. of Eleanor Northington v. City of Indianapolis (S.D. Ind. 2024). “Ind. Code § 1-1-4-3 (emphasis added). While the City correctly points out that the Court has ruled inadmissible any "testimony concerning [Ms.”
Kelly Scott Thomas v. State of Indiana (Ind. Ct. App. 2012). “More specifically, he contends Indiana Code section 1-1-4-3 (1986) defines death as (1) irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions; or (2) irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, 10 including brain stem, and that no evidence was…”
— Ind. Code § 1-1-4-3(a) — 2 cases
Randles v. Indiana Patient's Comp. Fund, 860 N.E.2d 1212 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). “Under the standards in the Indiana Determination of Death Act, Ind.Code § 1-1-4-3, Seandre was not dead at the time she gave birth to Sean.”
Ewing v. State, 719 N.E.2d 1221 (Ind. 1999). “As for the claim that Hyatte was alive at the point of withdrawal from life support, the jury was instructed on the definition of death that appears at Indiana Code, § 1-1-4-3, which provides in relevant part: (a) Only an individual who has sustained either: (1) irreversible…”
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