HB 1148 -- CEMETERIES

SPONSOR:  Ross

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Local Government and Related Matters by a vote of 18 to 0.

This bill allows the operator of a religious cemetery adjacent to
a church or other building used as a place of worship to scatter
human cremains in a scatter garden.  Operators who have a scatter
garden must maintain the garden and are responsible for all costs
of maintenance.  Operators must also maintain a record of all
cremains scattered in the scatter garden.  Upon dissolution of a
scatter garden, all records must be transferred to the clerk of
the appropriate political subdivision.  A scatter garden is
defined as a location for the spreading of cremains set aside
within a cemetery.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that individuals have a right to have
their ashes scattered in a garden when they pass away.  They want
their loved ones to be able to come to a more cheerful place.
Some people don't like cemeteries.  The church or caretaker of
the garden will keep records for the scatter garden.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Ross; and Linda Ault.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:00 am