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Senate passes bill to define and protect cemeteries and family burial plots
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Summary
The Senate adopted a committee substitute and passed SB146, which sets a statewide definition for abandoned cemeteries, clarifies permits for disinterment/reinterment and disturbance of abandoned burial grounds, and creates civil remedies for failures to obtain required permits.
The Georgia Senate on Monday adopted a committee substitute to Senate Bill 146 and passed the measure that codifies protections for cemeteries and family burial plots across the state.
The sponsor told colleagues the bill establishes a uniform definition of cemeteries and abandoned burial grounds, sets procedures for permits for disinterment and reinterment, creates civil remedies for failures to obtain such permits, and sets minimum requirements for family burial plots. The sponsor said the measure is aimed at rural counties where families set up burial plots and where inconsistent treatment has caused disputes.
During brief questioning, a senator asked whether church-run cemeteries would be affected. The sponsor said church cemeteries would not be impacted unless they become classified as abandoned under the bill’s definitions. The committee substitute was adopted without objection, and the Senate recorded passage of the measure by substitute.
The bill’s text amends multiple titles of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to add definitions and procedures related to cemeteries, and it includes provisions addressing abandoned-cemetery disturbance and registration requirements for cemeteries selling plots.
The Senate’s action completes the chamber’s approval; the bill will proceed to the next steps in the legislative process.
