127098 Resource 116217 116314 116314 1147385785502 1147385838129 Controlled Proposed New Jersey Legislation Could Help Families Preserve Memories: Bolster Distressed Cemeteries

Bill Would Provide Financial Assistance to Cemeteries in Need and Offers Families More Options

On May 11, representatives from the New Jersey Cemetery Association (NJCA), including Bernard Stoecklein, chief executive officer of CMS-Mid-Atlantic, Inc., testified before the New Jersey state legislature in support of A-2973, the proposed bill known as the Distressed Cemetery Maintenance and Preservation Act.  <o:p> According to Judy Welshons, executive director of the NJCA, passage of the bill is crucial to the solvency of the 379 regulated cemeteries in the state of <st1:State><st1:place>New Jersey</st1:place></st1:State>.  <o:p> </o:p> “Approximately 62% of the regulated cemeteries in our state are on the “watch or fully distressed” lists.  This means that they do not have sufficient monies in their Maintenance and Preservation Funds for current or future maintenance of their graves or properties,” Welshons explained. <o:p> </o:p> A-2973 would restore cemeteries’ ability to sell memorials, private mausoleums and vaults – a right that they lost in 1971 as a result of an isolated instance.  The NJCA believes that the increased competition that would result from the cemeteries (which are regulated by the state) being permitted to offer memorials, private mausoleums and vaults will also help consumers.  Increased competition results in better prices and service and also offers more options and convenience to the families seeking these items. <o:p> </o:p> If A-2973 is passed, the Distressed Cemetery Maintenance and Preservation Act would enable cemeteries to sell memorials, private mausoleums and vaults with 5% of the gross sale price of such merchandise remitted to the State for deposit into the Distressed Cemetery Maintenance and Preservation Fund.  The funds would then be distributed by the State to assist troubled cemeteries.  <o:p> </o:p> “Members of the New Jersey Cemetery Association hope that the legislature truly recognizes the importance of this bill,” Stoecklein said.   “While the Distressed Cemetery Maintenance and Preservation Act would provide financial assistance to cemeteries currently in need, it would also provide a source of revenues to many other cemeteries that are headed for insolvency.  Additionally, it will ultimately provide a greater level of convenience to families when faced with making arrangements for their loved ones when a death occurs and it will give them peace of mind that their cemeteries will always be there to preserve their memories.”</o:p> 10 application/xml false burial in New Jersey cemetery CMS Mid-Atlantic memorial New Jersey Cemetery Association New Jersy legislature private mausoleum vault Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322) 71.253.12.246 71.253.12.246 WebMaster false true false false true 116217 blog blogsite/CMSMidAtlantic/web