[Hillenbrand Letterhead]


                                                                     Exhibit 5.1

                                       May 15, 2002


Hillenbrand Industries, Inc.
700 State Route 46 East
Batesville, Indiana 47006

Gentlemen:

            You have requested my opinion as Corporate Counsel of Hillenbrand
Industries, Inc. (the "Company") in connection with the Registration Statement
on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") of the Company filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Act"), with respect to 50,000 shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock,
without par value, ("Common Stock") to be issued in accordance with the
provisions of the Company's Board of Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan (the
"Plan"). In connection with your request, I have made such examination of the
corporate records and proceedings of the Company and considered such questions
of law and taken such further action as I deemed necessary or appropriate to
enable me to render this opinion.

            Based upon such examination, I am of the opinion that when (i) the
applicable provisions of the Act and of such "Blue Sky" or other state
securities laws as may be applicable shall have been complied with, (ii) the
Shares deliverable under the Plan shall have been issued in accordance with the
terms of the Plan, and (iii) the Share certificates shall have been duly
executed and delivered, then the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

            I consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not admit that I am in the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                       Very truly yours,


                                       /s/ Timothy R. Renfroe