SB 915 -- Abandoned Cemeteries

Sponsor: Clay

Under current law, if a cemetery has been abandoned, the Attorney General is required to take action to dissolve the cemetery ownership and transfer title to the county or municipality in which the cemetery is located. This bill allows the transfer of the cemetery and cemetery funds, upon approval by the county or municipality, to a Missouri not-for-profit corporation or religious or charitable organization that is unrelated to the previous owner. Any encumbrances existing against the title of the cemetery are extinguished upon transfer of the cemetery. The corporation or organization must care for and maintain the cemetery with the money and property of the dissolved entity. If the corporation or organization plans to sell, grant, transfer, or convey future rights of internment within the cemetery, it must elect to operate as an endowed care cemetery under current state law.