INCLUDE CASKETS AS CEMETERY MERCHANDISE
House Bill 4199
Sponsor: Rep. Charles LaSata
Committee: Commerce
Complete to 2-24-03
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4199 AS INTRODUCED 2-12-03
The Cemetery Regulation Act regulates the management of cemeteries and the sale of cemetery goods and merchandise. Under the act, a cemetery and its agents are required to establish a merchandise trust account and deposit a percentage of the gross proceeds received from sales of merchandise. In addition, a purchase agreement for cemetery merchandise must contain a complete description of the merchandise purchased and the services to be rendered.
Under the act, "cemetery merchandise" is defined to mean all merchandise sold to the public by a cemetery, including vaults, concrete boxes, monuments, memorials, and foundations. House Bill 4199 would amend the act to include caskets within the definition of cemetery merchandise. A "casket" would be defined to mean any box or container consisting of one or more parts in which a dead human body is placed before interment, entombment, or cremation that may or may not be permanently interred, entombed, or cremated with the body. A "casket" would also include a permanent interment or entombment receptacle designed or intended for use without a vault.
MCL 456.522
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.