Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S)

No, outer burial containers such as grave liners or vaults are not required by law. However, in accordance with R.S. 8:204, a cemetery may have rules and regulations requiring the use of outer burial containers such as grave liners or vaults. The use of an outer burial container will help keep the ground from settling after a burial and make mowing and maintenance easier.

A cemetery authority may make, adopt, amend, added to, revise, repeal, or modify, and enforce rules and regulations for the use, care, control, management, restriction, and protection of all or any part of its cemetery, including without limitation the following:

1. It may restrict and limit the use of all property within its cemetery.
2. It may regulate the uniformity, class, and kind of all markers, monuments and other structures within the cemetery and its subdivisions.
3. It may regulate or prohibit the erection or installation of monuments, markers, effigies, structures, and foundations within the cemetery.
4. It may regulate or prevent the introduction or care of plants or shrubs within the cemetery.
5. It may prevent interment in any part of the cemetery of human remains not entitled to interment and prevent the use of interment spaces for purposes violative of its restrictions or rules and regulations.
6. It may regulate the conduct of persons and prevent improper assemblages in the cemetery.
7. It may make and enforce rules and regulations for all other purposes deemed necessary by the cemetery authority for the proper conduct of the business of the cemetery, for the transfer of any interment space or the right of interment, and the protection and safeguarding of the premises, and the principles, plans, and ideals on which the cemetery is conducted.

Yes, however prior to your purchase you should obtain a copy any cemetery rules and regulations which regulate the uniformity, class and kind of all markers, monuments and other structures, or prohibit the erection and/or installation of monuments, markers, effigies, structures and foundations, within the cemetery. Some cemeteries may require that you have your marker/memorial approved by management prior to purchase and installation.

No, burial records are maintained by cemeteries as required by law (R.S. 8:662). The address and telephone numbers of cemeteries licensed or registered with the Louisiana Cemetery Board can be accessed through our database. If you are conducting genealogy research and you are not sure of the cemetery in which someone is buried, it may be helpful to obtain a copy of his or her death certificate through vital statistics at https://ldh.la.gov/page/request-a-birth-or-death-certificate-1

No, inquiries regarding Funeral Homes and/or Funeral Directors should be directed to The State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors at www.lsbefd.state.la.us

• Be a comparison shopper.
• Visit and inspect the cemetery grounds.
• Require all transactions in writing.
• Ask questions if you do not understand the entire transaction.
• Read your contract and make sure you fully understand its provisions prior to signing it.
• You should receive a signed copy of an itemized written contract, with a detailed description of the merchandise and services purchased and their associated costs.
• You are responsible for complying with the terms of the contract related to payment of money owed.
• Once a burial space is paid in full, you should receive a certificate of interment rights, title, or deed specifying the space(s) you have purchased.