SEARCH SITE
VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL
- Code of Virginia
- Virginia Administrative Code
- Constitution of Virginia
- Charters
- Authorities
- Compacts
- Uncodified Acts
- RIS Users (account required)
SEARCHABLE DATABASES
- Bills & Resolutions
session legislation - Bill Summaries
session summaries - Reports to the General Assembly
House and Senate documents - Legislative Liaisons
State agency contacts
ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
1997 SESSION
970991701WHEREAS, several local governments in the Commonwealth have encountered situations in which cemeteries are not maintained to the satisfaction of adjacent landholders and the friends and families of those interred; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 3 of Title 57 of the Code of Virginia governs the administration of cemeteries within the Commonwealth, and specifies therein certain minimum requirements, particularly for burial sites sold with the representation that such burial sites will receive perpetual care; and
WHEREAS, in cases in which the owners of cemeteries do not adequately provide for maintenance, do not have the resources to provide adequate maintenance, and have few remaining burial sites to sell, some local governments and citizens have found inadequate recourse to enforce the laws pertaining to such cemeteries; and
WHEREAS, when cemeteries do not comply with such minimum provisions, are abandoned, or are poorly maintained, the local governments in which such cemeteries are located are frequently requested to assume upkeep and maintenance of such cemeteries; and
WHEREAS, some local governments have found that assuming uncompensated responsibility for abandoned or neglected cemeteries presents a burden on local taxpayers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Commission on Local Government, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Municipal League, and the Virginia Cemetery Association be requested to study local government issues related to the upkeep and maintenance of certain neglected or abandoned cemeteries. The study shall consider (i) minimum standards for the upkeep and maintenance of cemeteries; (ii) the adequacy of perpetual care trust funds for upkeep and maintenance of cemeteries after all grave sites have been sold; and (iii) the effectiveness of consumer protection laws to ensure that local governments and the families of those interred in cemeteries have effective recourse if such cemeteries are not adequately maintained. The Commission shall not include in its study not-for-profit private cemeteries such as those owned or operated by descendants or families of those who are interred therein, churches, synagogues, religious sects, or benevolent associations.
All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission, upon request.
The Commission on Local Government shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1998 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.