Killers who hide or defile a body will face new penalties under legislation to go before the South Australian parliament.
The new laws also target people who assist killers by destroying or tampering with a body.
The proposed changes mean offenders will no longer benefit from hiding a body, which can significantly impact criminal investigations.
The offence of destroying or concealing human remains will carry a maximum 15-year jail term and will be imposed on top of any sentence imposed for causing the death.
Anyone charged with defiling human remains also faces up to 15 years behind bars.
Two more new offences - failing to report the finding of human remains, and concealing human remains - will carry a maximum five-year jail term.
Attorney-General Kyam Maher said hiding or interfering with human remains caused needless grief and suffering to a victim's family.
"Losing a loved one to homicide is traumatic enough. Preventing families and friends from then being able to say goodbye adds another level of torment," he said.
Mr Maher said in practical terms deliberately hiding a body significantly impeded the work of police.
"Concealing a body can destroy critical forensic evidence that links the offender to the crime, which means they can potentially be charged with lesser offences like manslaughter, or falsely claim the cause of death was accidental or suicide," he said.
The new legislation, one of Labor's election commitments, will be introduced in parliament on Thursday.
