Chapter 368j

Sec. 19a-296. (Formerly Sec. 19-147). Cemetery associations. (a) Cemetery associations shall be organized in accordance with the provisions of sections 33-1025 to 33-1047, inclusive, and shall not be conducted for the purposes of speculation in cemetery lots and property, or for private gain, either directly or indirectly, to any of the members of any such association; and land for the enlargement of a cemetery may be taken in accordance with the provisions of section 48-18.

(b) The board of directors or board of trustees of any cemetery association shall hold an annual meeting of the association. At such annual meeting, the board shall accept an annual financial statement that shall contain an accounting of income and expenses of the cemetery association for the preceding fiscal year and an accounting of assets owned by the association. Such financial statement shall be included in the minutes of the annual meeting at which such financial statement was accepted. The board shall retain the minutes of such annual meeting for a period of not less than twenty years after such meeting.

(c) No officer, director or trustee of a cemetery association may serve as an officer, director or trustee of any company that manages or operates any aspect of the cemetery.

(d) Any interested party may petition the probate court for the district within which the cemetery owned or controlled by a cemetery association is located to require disclosure of the minutes of an annual meeting of the cemetery association including any financial statement required to be included in such minutes. The court may, after hearing, with notice to all interested parties, grant the petition and require disclosure of such minutes for such periods of time as it determines are reasonable and necessary on finding that: (1) The petitioner has an interest in the minutes sufficient to warrant disclosure, and (2) the petition is not for the purpose of harassment.

(1949 Rev., S. 4704; 1959, P.A. 617, S. 109; P.A. 96-256, S. 184, 209; P.A. 05-197, S. 2.)

History: 1959 act deleted reference to section 33-146, substituting sections 33-423 to 33-432; Sec. 19-147 transferred to Sec. 19a-296 in 1983; P.A. 96-256 replaced reference to Secs. 33-423 to 33-432, inclusive, with Secs. 33-1025 to Sec. 33-1047, inclusive, effective January 1, 1997; P.A. 05-197 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsecs. (b) re annual meeting and financial statement, (c) re officers, directors and trustees and (d) re petition for disclosure of minutes and financial statement.

See Sec. 19a-314 re penalty for violation of this section.

Annotations to former section 19-147:

Special law authorizing one cemetery association to take land of another upheld. 77 C. 83. Association may still hold title to land, though all rights of burial are disposed of. 83 C. 204. Condemnation of land. 87 C. 428. Right of eminent domain is specifically given to the owner of any cemetery. 168 C. 447. Cited. 180 C. 680.

Cited. 16 CS 327; 29 CS 292.

Sec. 19a-297. (Formerly Sec. 19-148). Bylaws. Sexton. The selectmen of towns, cemetery associations or ecclesiastical societies, having the care of cemeteries, may (1) enact bylaws providing for the care and management of all burial lots, and the protection of all shrubs, trees, fences and monuments thereon, provided no such bylaws shall (A) require or result in the removal or banishing of any undamaged United States flag or armed forces service marker, including flagholders provided by veterans organizations, from any grave site, or (B) restrict the placement of United States flags on the graves of veterans from the Friday before Memorial Day in each year until the Monday after the fourth of July, and (2) appoint superintendents and sextons for such cemeteries. Such superintendents and sextons shall have the exclusive right to direct the opening of graves, and no grave shall be opened in any cemetery except with the consent of the superintendent or sexton. Any person to whom such bylaws have been made known who violates the same shall be fined not more than ten dollars. The incorporators, organizers or members of any cemetery association or, if no incorporators, organizers or members are living, the owners of burial lots therein, by a majority vote, may, at any meeting called for that purpose, amend its articles of association or its bylaws.

(1949 Rev., S. 4710; 1957, P.A. 13, S. 92; 1967, P.A. 161, S. 1; P.A. 79-105; P.A. 80-483, S. 79, 186; P.A. 96-209, S. 1; P.A. 09-5, S. 1; P.A. 13-44, S. 2.)

History: 1967 act added proviso re flag or service marker; P.A. 79-105 added flagholders provided by veterans organizations in proviso; P.A. 80-483 made technical grammar corrections; Sec. 19-148 transferred to Sec. 19a-297 in 1983; P.A. 96-209 added “or members” after “organizers”; P.A. 09-5 designated existing provisions re bylaws as Subdiv. (1), designated existing bylaw prohibition therein as Subpara. (A), added Subpara. (B) therein re bylaw prohibition against restriction on placement of United States flags on veterans' graves, designated existing provision re appointment of superintendents and sextons as Subdiv. (2) and made technical changes, effective May 4, 2009; P.A. 13-44 amended Subdiv. (1)(B) by changing dates for placing flags on veterans' graves from Saturday before Memorial Day to Friday before Memorial Day.

See Sec. 7-66 re duties of sextons.

See Sec. 7-71 re required reporting of sexton's name to town registrar.

See Sec. 19a-309 re headstones at soldiers' graves.

Annotations to former section 19-148:

Bylaw forbidding any person to cut herbage without permission upheld; section applies to a stock corporation. 78 C. 90.

Cited. 29 CS 292.

Sec. 19a-298. (Formerly Sec. 19-149). Cemetery associations with capital stock organized prior to 1855. Cemetery associations having capital stock and organized under the general law as to incorporating burial societies prior to 1855 may, when the principal and interest of the subscriptions for capital stock have been repaid and no dividends have been paid for sixty-five years, amend the articles of association by a majority vote of the stock present and voting at a special meeting of such association called for the purpose.

(1949 Rev., S. 4722.)

History: Sec. 19-149 transferred to Sec. 19a-298 in 1983.

Sec. 19a-299. (Formerly Sec. 19-150). Trust funds for care of cemeteries. Towns, ecclesiastical societies and cemetery associations may receive and hold in trust donations, the income of which is to be used wholly or in part for the care or improvement of their cemeteries and burial lots or of private lots within such cemeteries or elsewhere. All such donations shall be invested as by law required for the investment of trust funds, except when otherwise authorized by the donors. The principal of two or more such trust funds may be combined and merged in a single fund for the purpose of the investment of the same.

(1949 Rev., S. 4712; 1957, P.A. 329, S. 1.)

History: Sec. 19-150 transferred to Sec. 19a-299 in 1983.

See Sec. 33-264g authorizing receipt of funds derived by gift or devise.

Annotations to former section 19-150:

Cemetery association is not a benevolent society. 73 C. 678. Ecclesiastical society can accept gift, portion of which is to be devoted to a cemetery and the balance to maintaining its church. 82 C. 188. Cited. 151 C. 527.

Sec. 19a-300. (Formerly Sec. 19-151). Funds for care of cemetery lots. Money declared by an instrument in writing to be intended for the perpetual care, maintenance, improvement or embellishment of any cemetery in this state, or of any lot or plot therein, to an amount not less than one hundred dollars, may be deposited with the State Treasurer who shall, in the name of the state, receive and receipt therefor. Each depositor shall, at the time of making such deposit, file with the State Treasurer and with the Secretary of the State a copy of such instrument. The State Treasurer shall invest the money deposited with the State Treasurer under the provisions of this section, in the name of the state, in bonds or other obligations of the state or other securities in which the State Treasurer is authorized to invest money on behalf of the state; and, on the first days of February and August annually, the State Treasurer shall pay over the accrued interest thereof to the treasurer of the town in which the cemetery is located, and the same shall be expended in the same manner as the income of funds donated to towns under the provisions of section 19a-304. At the time of paying such interest the State Treasurer shall inform the person to whom it is paid of the purpose to which it is to be applied, as stated in the copy of such instrument, and such person shall thereupon apply it to such purpose.

(1949 Rev., S. 4713; 1959, P.A. 152, S. 51; P.A. 10-32, S. 73.)

History: 1959 act deleted references to county and county treasurer, county government having been abolished and substituted references to state; Sec. 19-151 transferred to Sec. 19a-300 in 1983; P.A. 10-32 made technical changes, effective May 10, 2010.

Sec. 19a-301. (Formerly Sec. 19-152). Establishment and management of perpetual funds. Accounting. (a) Any cemetery association, organized as provided by law, may, by vote of the directors or members of such association, set aside the surplus funds of such association as a perpetual fund. Such fund shall be invested in accordance with the provisions of the statutes concerning the investment of trust funds. Such fund, together with any donation received by an ecclesiastical society or cemetery association pursuant to section 19a-303, shall be under the control, management and supervision of a committee of not fewer than three persons elected by such association or society. Such ecclesiastical society or cemetery association shall meet at least once annually. The treasurer of such society or association shall be, ex officio, the treasurer of such committee, and shall give bond, with surety, to the satisfaction of such committee, for the faithful discharge of his duties. He shall expend the income from such fund or donation for the management, care and maintenance of any cemetery owned or controlled by such ecclesiastical society or cemetery association, or for the purpose set forth in the instrument or declaration of trust regulating the use of such donation or fund if such instrument or declaration of trust should otherwise provide, at the times and in the manner designated by such society or association. The treasurer shall annually, on or before July first, make a report to such society or association, stating the income received, to whom it has been paid, the amount and condition of the fund and how it is invested. A copy of such report shall be filed with the probate court for the district within which the cemetery owned or controlled by the society or association is located. Any treasurer who fails to file such report with the probate court shall be fined not more than fifty dollars.

(b) Any interested party may petition the probate court having jurisdiction under this section to require an accounting by the treasurer. The court may, after hearing, with notice to all interested parties, grant the petition and require an accounting for such periods of time as it determines are reasonable and necessary on finding that: (1) The petitioner has an interest in the fund sufficient to entitle him to an accounting; (2) cause has been shown that an accounting is necessary; and (3) the petition is not for the purpose of harassment. The court shall cause notice of the hearing on the account be given to such parties and in such manner as it directs.

(c) The action to submit an accounting to the court shall not subject the fund to the continuing jurisdiction of the court.

(d) Upon the allowance of any such account, the court shall determine the rights of the parties, subject to appeal as in other cases.

(1949 Rev., S. 4714; 1953, S. 2359d; P.A. 98-219, S. 12.)

History: Sec. 19-152 transferred to Sec. 19a-301 in 1983; P.A. 98-219 added Subsecs. (b), (c) and (d) re petition of Probate Court to require accounting of perpetual fund by Treasurer.

Sec. 19a-302. (Formerly Sec. 19-153). Takeover of fund. Appointment of cemetery committee. If at any time such association fails to comply with the provisions of section 19a-301, the selectmen of the town in which such cemetery is located shall take over the care of such fund and file an annual report with the Probate Court in accordance with the provisions of section 19a-301. The selectmen may appoint a cemetery committee consisting of not fewer than three or more than seven members who are residents of such town. If three members are appointed, one shall serve for a term of two years, one for a term of four years and one for a term of six years; if four members are appointed, one shall serve for a term of two years, one for a term of four years and two for a term of six years; if five members are appointed, one shall serve for a term of two years, two for a term of four years and two for a term of six years; if six members are appointed, two shall serve for a term of two years, two for a term of four years and two for a term of six years; and if seven members are appointed, two shall serve for a term of two years, two for a term of four years and three for a term of six years. Biennially thereafter, they may appoint one member for a term of six years to replace each member whose term expires. Such committee shall have all of the powers and duties of a committee established as provided in section 19a-301.

(1953, S. 2360d; P.A. 03-252, S. 24; P.A. 04-257, S. 37.)

History: Sec. 19-153 transferred to Sec. 19a-302 in 1983; P.A. 03-252 changed the number of members of cemetery committee from three to not fewer than three or more than seven, and revised provisions re terms for members; P.A. 04-257 made technical changes, effective June 14, 2004.

Sec. 19a-303. (Formerly Sec. 19-154). Acceptance of legacy. Any town or ecclesiastical society, at any meeting warned and held for that purpose, may accept, upon the terms and conditions expressed by a testator in his will, any legacy intended as a provision for the enlargement, improvement or repair of any cemetery or any part thereof, in any town in this state.

(1949 Rev., S. 4715.)

History: Sec. 19-154 transferred to Sec. 19a-303 in 1983.

Sec. 19a-304. (Formerly Sec. 19-155). Care of funds by towns. Such a donation, when received by a town, shall, unless otherwise directed by the donor, be paid to the town treasurer; and the income therefrom shall be paid by such treasurer to such person as the selectmen may annually appoint to receive and expend such income. The person so appointed shall give a bond to the town for such sum as the selectmen may fix, with surety to their satisfaction, conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties; and thereupon such person shall expend such income pursuant to the terms of the instrument or declaration of trust regulating the use thereof, and, when no specific direction has been made by the donor relative to the expenditure of such income, or when the purpose specified is incapable of performance, or when there is a surplus of income after the directions of the trust have been fully complied with and performed, he shall expend the same wholly or in part for the general care or improvement of the cemeteries and burial lots or of private lots within such cemeteries in such town.

(1949 Rev., S. 4716; 1957, P.A. 329, S. 2.)

History: Sec. 19-155 transferred to Sec. 19a-304 in 1983.

Sec. 19a-305. (Formerly Sec. 19-156). Probate Court may make allowance for care of lot. The Court of Probate may allow, out of the estate of a deceased person in settlement before such court, such amount as it deems necessary for the perpetual care, or for care for such time as it determines, of the cemetery lot wherein the deceased is interred.

(1949 Rev., S. 4721.)

History: Sec. 19-156 transferred to Sec. 19a-305 in 1983.

Sec. 19a-306. (Formerly Sec. 19-157). Cemeteries in adjoining towns. When any cemetery association or ecclesiastical society owns or manages a cemetery or cemeteries in two adjoining towns, or in the town next adjoining the town in which such association or society is located, a certificate of the registrar of that one of such towns in which any person dies shall be sufficient to enable such association or society to bury such deceased person in any of the cemeteries owned or managed by it as aforesaid.

(1949 Rev., S. 4718.)

History: Sec. 19-157 transferred to Sec. 19a-306 in 1983.

Sec. 19a-307. (Formerly Sec. 19-158). Sale of abandoned or unused lots. Any town or any mutual nonstock cemetery association or corporation having charges legally assessed against any lot in the cemetery under its control or any holder of any such lot which have been due and unpaid for at least one year shall be authorized to sell the unused portion of such lot in such manner as its legislative body or governing board, as the case may be, may direct, provided a notice shall be sent by registered or certified mail to any such lotholder and any other person known to be beneficially interested in any such lot, at the last-known address of such lotholder or other person, which notice shall substantially contain the information that, if such legally assessed charges are not paid within six months from the date of the issuance of such notice, such town, cemetery association or corporation may take over any unused portion of such lot for the purpose of sale. If such town, association or corporation is unable to determine any person known to be beneficially interested in any such lot, it shall cause to be published, in a newspaper having a circulation in the town in which the cemetery is located, at least once, a notice containing the same information as is sent to any known lotholder or person known to be beneficially interested. The proceeds from the sale of such unused portion of such lots shall first be used to reimburse such town, association or corporation for any past due charges and costs of sale. The balance shall be placed in a perpetual care fund, the interest from which shall be expended in the care of such uncared-for lots in such cemetery as are designated by the legislative body of such town or the governing board of such cemetery, as the case may be.

(1949 Rev., S. 4705; 1957, P.A. 97; 1971, P.A. 172; P.A. 18-87, S. 1.)

History: 1971 act allowed towns, acting through their legislative bodies, to sell abandoned or unused lots in cemeteries under their control; Sec. 19-158 transferred to Sec. 19a-307 in 1983; P.A. 18-87 replaced “ten years” with “one year” re charges due and unpaid, replaced “a year” with “six months” re notice information, deleted provision re space reserved for surviving spouse, and deleted “a week for three consecutive weeks,” re notice in newspaper, effective July 1, 2018, and applicable to contracts entered into on and after said date.

See Sec. 19a-314 re penalty for violation of this section.

Sec. 19a-308. (Formerly Sec. 19-159). Care of neglected cemeteries. Civil and criminal liability for undertaking care and maintenance. (a) In any town in which there is a burial ground or cemetery containing more than six places of interment that has been neglected and allowed to grow up to weeds, briars and bushes, or about which the fences have become broken, decayed or dilapidated, the selectmen of such town may cause such burial ground or cemetery to be cleared of weeds, briars and bushes, may mow the ground's lawn areas and may cause its fences or walls to be repaired and kept in orderly and decent condition and its memorial stones to be straightened, repaired and restored.

(b) No municipality or employee, officer or agent of a municipality shall be civilly or criminally liable for undertaking the care and maintenance of a burial ground or cemetery, as described in subsection (a) of this section.

(1949 Rev., S. 4719; P.A. 14-217, S. 204; P.A. 22-74, S. 6.)

History: Sec. 19-159 transferred to Sec. 19a-308 in 1983; P.A. 14-217 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same by deleting “annually”, adding provision re mowing lawn areas and making technical changes, and added Subsec. (b) re civil and criminal liability for undertaking care and maintenance; P.A. 22-74 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “and not under the control or management of any currently functioning cemetery association,” and adding “, repaired and restored”, effective July 1, 2022.

Annotation to former section 19-159:

Cited. 168 C. 447.

Sec. 19a-308a. Abandoned cemeteries. Acquisition by municipality. Notice requirements. Objections. Vesting of title with municipality. (a) As used in this section, “abandoned cemetery” means a cemetery (1) in which no burial has occurred during the previous forty years and in which the lots or graves have not been maintained during the previous ten years except for maintenance rendered by the municipality in which such cemetery is located, (2) in which one burial has occurred in the past forty years, for which a permit was issued under section 7-65 after such burial, or (3) in which no lots have been sold in the previous forty years and in which most lots and graves have not been maintained during the previous ten years except for maintenance rendered by the municipality in which such cemetery is located.

(b) Any municipality may acquire an abandoned cemetery, including ownership of any occupied or unoccupied lots or grave sites in such cemetery. Such municipality may cause a survey of such cemetery to be completed in order to ascertain the extent of such cemetery. The municipality shall use due diligence in identifying any owners of the abandoned cemetery or any of the cemetery's occupied or unoccupied lots or grave sites and shall provide notice to such owners of the municipality's intention to acquire the abandoned cemetery. In the event that a municipality is unable to locate such an owner, the municipality shall publish notice of its intention to acquire the abandoned cemetery in a newspaper having a general circulation in such municipality. Such notice shall be published for a period of three consecutive weeks.

(c) The notice described in subsection (b) of this section shall give a basic description of the abandoned cemetery, by reference to the municipality's tax maps, and shall set a date and place where objections to the acquisition of the cemetery by the municipality will be heard.

(d) Any owner who receives notice pursuant to subsection (b) of this section may reassert his or her right of ownership over the abandoned cemetery, occupied or unoccupied lot or grave site, as applicable, by sending written notice of his or her objection to the municipality not later than fourteen days after his or her receipt of notice pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. Any owner who reasserts his or her rights pursuant to this subsection shall promptly comply with all municipal ordinances concerning such abandoned cemetery, occupied or unoccupied lot or grave site.

(e) In the event that no objection is received by the municipality pursuant to subsection (d) of this section not later than fifteen days after the last date of publication of the notice described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, title to such abandoned cemetery and any occupied or unoccupied lots or graves shall vest in such municipality. Whenever title vests in a municipality pursuant to this subsection, such municipality shall record a confirmation of such vesting, including a basic description of the cemetery, on the land records of the municipality in which such cemetery is located.

(f) If title to an abandoned cemetery vests with a municipality pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, such municipality shall maintain title to such cemetery, shall not transfer title to such cemetery, and shall maintain the characteristics of such cemetery and make no changes in the use of such cemetery land. The municipality may appoint a superintendent or sexton for such cemetery pursuant to section 19a-297, and may appropriate funds as necessary for the care, maintenance and support of such cemetery.

(P.A. 09-232, S. 69; P.A. 10-18, S. 10.)

History: P.A. 09-232 effective July 8, 2009; P.A. 10-18 made a technical change in Subsec. (a)(2).

Sec. 19a-308b. Neglected cemetery account. (a) There is established an account to be known as the “neglected cemetery account” which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account shall be expended by the Office of Policy and Management for the purposes of municipal maintenance of neglected burial grounds and cemeteries, as described in section 19a-308.

(b) Each municipality may apply for moneys in the account established pursuant to this section on a form and in such manner as prescribed by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.

(P.A. 14-217, S. 205.)

Sec. 19a-309. (Formerly Sec. 19-160). Headstones at soldiers' graves. No cemetery association shall make or enforce any bylaw, order or regulation prohibiting the erection of any tombstone or headstone, provided by the state or otherwise, at the grave of any soldier, sailor or marine buried in such cemetery. Each association or officer thereof who violates any provision of this section shall be fined fifty dollars.

(1949 Rev., S. 4720.)

History: Sec. 19-160 transferred to Sec. 19a-309 in 1983.

See Sec. 19a-297 re authority of selectmen, cemetery associations or ecclesiastical societies to enact bylaws for management and care of burial lots.

Sec. 19a-310. (Formerly Sec. 19-161). Approval of vaults above ground by Department of Public Health. Fees. No person shall construct any vault, crypt, columbarium or mausoleum for public use, wholly or partially above the surface of the ground, to be used to contain the body of any dead person (1) unless the same is located within the confines of an established cemetery containing not less than five acres, which cemetery has been in existence and operation for a period of at least five years immediately preceding the time of the erection thereof, or (2) if located within a cemetery containing less than five acres, such location has been approved by the selectmen of any town, the mayor and council or board of aldermen of any city and the warden and burgesses of any borough; except that in any town, city or borough having a zoning commission or combined planning and zoning commission, such commission shall have the authority to grant such approval; nor until plans and specifications for such vault, crypt, columbarium or mausoleum are approved by the Department of Public Health and a fee of one thousand two hundred fifty dollars is paid to the Department of Public Health for its review and approval of such plans and specifications, provided a columbarium which is used solely as a repository for the remains, after cremation, of deceased persons and is located on the premises of any religious society or corporation shall not be subject to the provisions of this section. Such plans and specifications shall set forth the sections, halls, rooms, corridors, elevators or other subdivisions thereof, with their descriptive names and numbers, and shall provide: (a) That such structure be so arranged that the cell, niche or crypt may be readily examined at any time by any person authorized by law to do so; (b) that the materials of which such structure is to be constructed are to be of the best quality and of a character best suited for the purposes intended; and (c) that the structure shall be so constructed as to insure its durability and permanence as well as the safety, convenience, comfort and health of the community in which it is located, as dictated and determined at the time by modern mausoleum construction and engineering science. The person making the application shall file a certificate of such approval, signed by the Commissioner of Public Health, with a copy of such plans and specifications, in the office of the town clerk of the town wherein such structure is to be erected, and such clerk shall retain the same on file.

(1949 Rev., S. 4706; 1969, P.A. 30; 1971, P.A. 34, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 87-490, S. 4; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6, S. 9, 117; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 173.)

History: 1969 act deleted requirement that crypt or cell be constructed so as to be hermetically and permanently sealed stated in former Subdiv. (b) and redesignated remaining subdivisions accordingly; 1971 act excluded columbarium used solely for cremated remains and located on premises of religious society or corporation from provisions of section; P.A. 77-614 replaced department and commissioner of health with department and commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-161 transferred to Sec. 19a-310 in 1983; P.A. 87-490 inserted Subdiv. (2) concerning approvals in cemeteries containing less than five acres; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6 established a fee of $1,000 for review and approval of plans; P.A. 93-381 replaced department and commissioner of health services with department and commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 increased fee from $1,000 to $1,250.

See Sec. 19a-314 re penalty for violation of this section.

Sec. 19a-311. (Formerly Sec. 19-162). Inspection. Burial prohibited until certificate obtained. Such structure shall be erected under the supervision of an inspector to be appointed by the Department of Public Health, which shall determine the amount of his compensation, such compensation to be paid by the person erecting the same. No vault, crypt, niche, mausoleum, columbarium or structure, and no addition or alteration thereof, shall be used for the purpose of interring therein any body until the person, firm or corporation operating such structure has obtained from said department a certificate, signed by the Commissioner of Public Health, certifying that the plans and specifications filed pursuant to the provisions of section 19a-310 have been complied with, and that the requirements for a maintenance fund provided for in subsection (a) of section 19a-312 have been complied with, which certificate shall be filed in the office of the town clerk of the town wherein the community mausoleum is located, provided a columbarium which is used solely as a repository for the remains, after cremation of deceased persons and is located on the premises of any religious society or corporation shall not be subject to the provisions of this section.

(1949 Rev., S. 4707; 1971, P.A. 34, S. 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 96-180, S. 59, 166; P.A. 19-57, S. 3.)

History: 1971 act excluded columbarium used solely for cremated remains and located on premises of religious society or corporation from provisions of section; P.A. 77-614 replaced department and commissioner of health with department and commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-162 transferred to Sec. 19a-311 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-180 made a technical change, effective June 3, 1996; P.A. 19-57 replaced reference to Sec. 19a-312(b) with reference to Sec. 19a-312(a).

See Sec. 19a-314 re penalty for violation of this section.

Sec. 19a-312. (Formerly Sec. 19-163). Mausoleums and columbariums. Maintenance. Court order re removal of body for interment. Public nuisance. (a) There shall be established and maintained a fund for the perpetual care and maintenance of each mausoleum and columbarium, by applying in the case of a mausoleum not less than the sum of one hundred dollars from the proceeds received from the sale of each crypt and ten per cent of the proceeds received from the sale of each room; and in case of niches in a mausoleum or columbarium, used as a repository for the remains of deceased persons after cremation, a sum which shall be equivalent to ten per cent of the sale price of each niche. If sales of crypts or rooms in any such mausoleum, or sales of niches in any such mausoleum or columbarium, are made upon a partial payment plan, there shall be set apart and applied to said maintenance fund from each such payment such proportion thereof as the number of partial payments bears to the total amount of the sum required to be set aside for such fund.

(b) When any mausoleum, vault, crypt or structure containing one or more deceased human bodies, in the opinion of the Department of Public Health, becomes a menace to public health, and the owner or owners thereof fail to remedy or remove the same to the satisfaction of said department, any court of competent jurisdiction may order the person, firm or corporation owning such structure to remove the deceased body or bodies for interment in some suitable cemetery at the expense of the person, firm or corporation owning such mausoleum, vault or crypt. If no such person, firm or corporation can be found in the county where such mausoleum, vault or crypt is located, such removal and interment shall be at the expense of the cemetery, city or town within which such mausoleum, vault or crypt is located, or of the cemetery association in charge of any such cemetery.

(c) Any cemetery or mausoleum maintained or constructed contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed a public nuisance and may be enjoined in an action brought by any taxpayer of this state.

(1949 Rev., S. 4708; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 19-57, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-163 transferred to Sec. 19a-312 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 19-57 deleted former Subsec. (a) re sale of crypt, room in mausoleum or niche in columbarium, redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) to (d) as Subsecs. (a) to (c) and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2019.

See Sec. 19a-314 re penalty for violation of this section.

Sec. 19a-313. (Formerly Sec. 19-161a). Burials above ground restricted. No person shall be buried, interred or entombed in any burying ground, or in any vault, niche, crypt, columbarium, mausoleum or structure wholly or partially above the surface of the ground, unless such burying ground or structure is located within the confines of an established cemetery which is owned, managed or controlled by a municipality, ecclesiastical society, cemetery association or corporation, as provided in this chapter, or a private burying ground or structure approved by the Department of Public Health.

(P.A. 75-138; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58.)

History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-161a transferred to Sec. 19a-313 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995.

Sec. 19a-314. (Formerly Sec. 19-164). Penalty. Any officer, manager or agent of any corporation or association, or any other person, who violates any provision of section 19a-296, 19a-307, 19a-310, 19a-311 or 19a-312 shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months or both; but no provision of said sections shall prohibit or apply to the construction of temporary receiving vaults.

(1949 Rev., S. 4709.)

History: Sec. 19-164 transferred to Sec. 19a-314 in 1983.

Sec. 19a-314a. Disclosure of dispute resolution procedure relating to the sale of any item or service by a town, ecclesiastical society or cemetery association which owns, manages or controls a cemetery. “Cemetery” defined. (a) As used in this section, “cemetery” means any place performing interments on or after October 1, 1995.

(b) Each town, ecclesiastical society or cemetery association which owns, manages or controls a cemetery shall disclose to each consumer, in writing at the time of the sale of any item or service, any dispute resolution procedure of such town, ecclesiastical society or cemetery association. The written disclosure shall also indicate that the consumer may contact the Department of Public Health or local public health director if the consumer has any complaints which concern violations of sections 7-64 to 7-71, inclusive, 19a-310 and 19a-311.

(P.A. 95-184, S. 1, 2; 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 01-195, S. 140, 181; P.A. 09-232, S. 24.)

History: P.A. 95-257 authorized substitution of Commissioner and Department of Public Health for Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 01-195 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b), effective July 11, 2001; P.A. 09-232 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing reference to Sec. 7-72 with reference to Sec. 7-71.

Sec. 19a-315. “Ancient burial place”, “burial ground authority” and “grave marker” defined. For purposes of sections 19a-315 to 19a-315c, inclusive:

(1) “Ancient burial place” means any tract of land within any municipality which has been used or has been in existence as a burial ground for more than one hundred years;

(2) “Burial ground authority” means the town, ecclesiastical society or cemetery association, as the case may be; and

(3) “Grave marker” means any of the following when used to mark graves in an ancient burial place, cemetery or burial ground: Tombs, monuments, gravestones, or fragments thereof and fences or curbing which enclose individual or family burial plots.

(P.A. 84-280, S. 1; P.A. 85-319, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 85-319 included the definition of “grave marker” and applied the definitions to Sec. 19a-315c.

Sec. 19a-315a. Use of ancient burial place. No municipality shall alienate or appropriate any ancient burial place to any use other than that of a burial ground. No portion of any ancient burial place shall be taken for public use without the approval of the General Assembly. If any ancient burial place is appropriated for any other use and the bodies buried therein or the grave markers marking the same are removed, the burial ground authority shall preserve a record of such removal indicating the date of such removal and the site or place to which such removal was made.

(P.A. 84-280, S. 2; P.A. 85-319, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 85-319 inserted “grave marker” in place of “monuments, gravestones or other memorials”.

See Sec. 53a-218 re penalty for interference with cemetery or burial ground.

See Sec. 53a-219 re penalty for unlawful possession or sale of gravestones.

Sec. 19a-315b. Protection of grave markers. No grave marker within any cemetery or burial place shall be destroyed, injured or removed except in accordance with the provisions of either this section or section 19a-315c. Any such grave marker may be removed for the purpose of reproduction, preservation or display in an accredited museum upon (1) (A) the consent of the owner of the burial rights for the lot in which such grave marker is placed or the consent of a lineal descendant of the deceased, whose qualifications for giving such consent shall be determined by the burial ground authority, or (B) if such owner or qualified lineal descendant is unknown or does not respond within thirty days to a request for consent sent by registered or certified mail to such person's last-known address, with the consent of the burial ground authority, and (2) the order of the probate court for the district in which such burial lot is located. Upon written application of such consenting owner, qualified lineal descendant or burial ground authority, the probate court may, after a hearing, with notice of such hearing having been given to the burial ground authority, the owner, the qualified lineal descendant, the Department of Economic and Community Development and otherwise as the court deems appropriate, order the removal of such grave marker if it finds that such removal is necessary or desirable for the protection and preservation of such grave marker.

(P.A. 84-280, S. 3; P.A. 85-319, S. 3; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 210(e); P.A. 04-20, S. 3; 04-205, S. 5; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2, S. 30; P.A. 11-48, S. 165.)

History: P.A. 85-319 made numerous changes concerning giving of consent and removed provisions concerning subjects covered by Sec. 19a-315c; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 and P.A. 04-20 replaced the Connecticut Historical Commission with the Connecticut Commission on Arts, Tourism, Culture, History and Film, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 04-205, effective June 3, 2004, and May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2, effective May 12, 2004, both replaced Connecticut Commission on Arts, Tourism, Culture, History and Film with Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism; P.A. 11-48 replaced “Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism” with “Department of Economic and Community Development”, effective July 1, 2011.

See Sec. 53a-218 re penalty for interference with cemetery or burial ground.

See Sec. 53a-219 re penalty for unlawful possession or sale of gravestones.

Sec. 19a-315c. Maintenance of burial places. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 19a-315b, a burial ground authority shall have the right to properly maintain an ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place, which right shall include: (1) Repair, rehabilitation, repositioning or resetting of grave markers in accordance with the rules and regulations of the burial ground authority; and (2) the renovation of the ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place as a whole.

(b) For purposes of subsection (a), no renovation of an ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place as a whole may be commenced until after: (1) The burial ground authority has conspicuously posted within the ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place, for a period of not less than ninety days, a notice that such renovation shall take place; and (2) the burial ground authority, at least ninety days before commencing a renovation, has provided written notice to the probate court having jurisdiction over the location of the burial place and to the Department of Economic and Community Development. Such notice to the probate court shall describe the renovation plans and include photographs of any area or grave marker involved.

(c) Following the notice period provided for in subsection (b) of this section, and subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, a burial ground authority may renovate an ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place by: (1) The removal of any or all fencing, railing or curbing, if such removal is determined by the burial ground authority to be necessary or desirable for the proper and efficient maintenance of the ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place as a whole; and (2) the repositioning or resetting of any monument or tombstone.

(d) At any time prior to the expiration of the notice period provided for in subsection (b) of this section, the probate court may assume jurisdiction over such renovation and order a hearing, with notice of such hearing to be given to the burial ground authority, the owner, the qualified lineal descendant, the Department of Economic and Community Development and otherwise as the court deems appropriate, to determine whether such renovation is necessary for the proper and efficient maintenance of the ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place as a whole. Upon notice of such hearing, the burial ground authority shall not proceed with such renovation except in accordance with the order of the probate court.

(P.A. 85-319, S. 4; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 210(e); P.A. 04-20, S. 3; 04-205, S. 5; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2, S. 30; P.A. 05-288, S. 77; P.A. 11-48, S. 166.)

History: June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 and P.A. 04-20 replaced the Connecticut Historical Commission with the Connecticut Commission on Arts, Tourism, Culture, History and Film, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 04-205, effective June 3, 2004, and May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2, effective May 12, 2004, both replaced Connecticut Commission on Arts, Tourism, Culture, History and Film with Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism; P.A. 05-288 made technical changes in Subsecs. (c) and (d), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsecs. (b) and (d) to replace “Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism” with “Department of Economic and Community Development”, effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 19a-315d. Places and manner of burial. Exceptions. Penalty. (a) No person shall bury the body of any deceased person less than three hundred fifty feet from any residential dwelling unless a public highway intervenes between such place of burial and such dwelling, or unless such body is encased in a burial vault made of concrete or other impermeable material, except (1) in a cemetery established on or before November 1, 1911, (2) in a cemetery that, when established, was more than three hundred fifty feet from any dwelling house, or (3) with the written approval of the Commissioner of Public Health, in a plot of land adjacent to a cemetery, as described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection that has been made a part of either cemetery. Such written approval shall contain a detailed description of the land adjacent to the cemetery and shall be recorded in the land records of the town in which the cemetery is located.

(b) No person shall bury the body of any deceased person in such a manner that the top of the outside container within which such body is placed is less than two and one-half feet below the surface of the ground, except if such container is made of concrete or other impermeable material, the top of such container shall not be less than one and one-half feet below the surface.

(c) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars for each day such person is in violation of the provisions of this section.

(P.A. 14-231, S. 6.)

Secs. 19a-316 to 19a-319. Reserved for future use.