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General Laws

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Section 1Definitions
Section 1AOrganization of cemetery corporations
Section 1BLiability of directors, officers or trustees
Section 2Powers and duties of cemetery corporations
Section 2ACemetery and crematory corporations; disclosure; penalty
Section 3Records of conveyances of burial lots
Section 3ACemetery ownership of unclaimed graves; reuse of occupied graves
Section 4Certified copies of recorded deeds and instruments; evidence
Section 5Trust funds
Section 5ABurials; designated funeral director
Section 5BNotification of certain options for burial services; penalty
Section 5CFiduciary duty owed to contributors to trust fund by corporation
Section 6Cremation
Section 7Formation and organization of crematory corporations
Section 8Crematory corporations; acquisition and holding of land in fee
Section 9By-laws and regulations of cemeteries and crematory corporations; conduct of business; violations
Section 10Town burial places
Section 10AMunicipality ownership of unclaimed graves; reuse of occupied graves
Section 11Taking of land for burial purposes; application to county commissioners
Section 12Taking of land for burial places; hearing notice
Section 13Adjudication by commissioners; taking
Section 14Compensation of commissioners acting under petition to take land for burial place
Section 15Appropriation for enclosing and improving cemetery; sale or conveyance of burial rights; disposition of proceeds
Section 16Appropriation for and care of cemeteries
Section 17Preservation of ancient burial places
Section 18Care of neglected burial places within limits of town
Section 19Deposits for care and improvement of burial places or lots; records; investment of deposits
Section 20Depositing funds with state treasurer; copy of instrument; notice to town or city clerk
Section 21Investment of funds; interest
Section 22Town board of cemetery commissioners; election of members
Section 23Powers and duties
Section 24Conveyance of burial lots; record; fee
Section 25Gifts or bequests for cemeteries; investment of funds; disposition of proceeds of sales of lots or burial rights
Section 26Limit of debts or liabilities; annual report
Section 27Appointment of board of cemetery commissioners; powers and duties
Section 28Conveyance of lots or interest in lots in trust for preservation as memorial; rights of heirs of owner; control over lot or interest in lot
Section 29Indivisible character of lots; vesting; limitations and conditions; right of interment; designation of representation of lot; record
Section 30Hearing as to representation of lot or tomb
Section 31Descent of family lot to heirs
Section 32Right of person to interment; release
Section 33Right of husband to interment
Section 34Use of land for burial; new cemeteries or extensions; approval of board of health; description of land
Section 35Lands to be used for burial; approval
Section 36Appeal from order of board of health; hearing
Section 37Regulations by local boards of health; notice
Section 38Closing of tombs, burial ground or cemetery; hearing; notice
Section 39Appeal from order of board
Section 40Jury trial; rescission of order; costs and double costs
Section 41Laying out or constructing public ways in, upon or through burial places; authority
Section 42Passage through cemeteries
Section 42AVisitation hours
Section 42BCommercial use of cemeteries; consent; penalties
Section 43Buildings upon burial places
Section 43AOwnership, maintenance and operation of cemeteries; private profit
Section 43BSale of cemetery lots and plots for speculative purposes
Section 43CDisposition of proceeds of sales; liquidation of indebtedness
Section 43DLocation of community mausoleums; exceptions
Section 43ENew community mausoleums; plans and specifications; approval; construction
Section 43FCommunity mausoleums; construction; supervision
Section 43GUse of community mausoleum prior to completion; care and improvement fund
Section 43HSale of community mausoleum prior to completion
Section 43IRemoval of bodies constituting menace to public health
Section 43JPermanent care and improvement fund for community mausoleums
Section 43KCustodian of fund; administration and investment
Section 43LAbating or enjoining nuisance
Section 43MPermanent disposition of dead bodies or remains
Section 43NPenalties
Section 43OSale of monuments for cemetery lots by cemetery corporations
Section 44Cremation of bodies
Section 44AReceptacles for cremated remains; caskets
Section 45Burial permits; permits for removal of bodies; certificates of death; deceased veterans
Section 45AFuneral director’s name used in connection with death certificate or burial permit
Section 46Permit for burial of bodies brought into commonwealth; certificate; recording
Section 46AVeterans; burial; affidavit; veteran graves officer
Section 47Certificates for burial, removal or cremation; indorsement of coupon accompanying permit; record
Section 48Cremation; certificates for burial
Section 49Licensing of funeral directors; revocation or suspension; hearing; fees; permits
Section 50Penalty
Section 51Embalming fluid

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