Perpetual care cemeteries; require certain acreage and trust fund deposit to establish new.
In addition to the acreage requirements, HB 1484 also increases the amount required to be deposited into an irrevocable perpetual care trust fund for newly organized cemeteries. Previously, the initial deposit required was lower; the new stipulation calls for a deposit of at least $50,000 for any cemetery established after the cutoff date. The bill aims to guarantee that cemeteries have sufficient funding dedicated exclusively to their maintenance, thereby securing long-term care of cemetery grounds for future generations, which could stabilize cemetery operations throughout Mississippi.
House Bill 1484 seeks to amend the Mississippi Code of 1972 regarding the establishment and maintenance of perpetual care cemeteries. The bill specifically mandates that any new perpetual care cemetery organized on or after July 1, 2023, must adhere to minimum acreage requirements based on the population of the county where it is located. For counties with populations over 140,000, the minimum size is set at 40 acres; in counties between 75,000 and 140,000, it is 30 acres; and for counties with populations below 75,000, it must be at least 20 acres. This legislative effort aims to ensure that new cemeteries offer adequate space for burials and memorials.
While the bill presents clear guidelines intended to enhance the structure of cemetery management in Mississippi, it may lead to contentious discussions among stakeholders. Critics could argue that the increased acreage and financial requirements may disproportionately affect smaller or newly established cemeteries, hindering their ability to operate. Furthermore, the additional costs may limit access to cemetery services for families in less populated areas, raising concerns about equitable access to burial options across different communities. As such, advocates for local cemeteries may seek adjustments to ensure smaller entities can remain viable under the new legislative requirements.