Chapter 4767 | Cemetery Registration

Section 4767.01 | Cemetery registration definitions.

• Effective: October 29, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 168 - 132nd General Assembly

As used in sections 4767.01 to 4767.11 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Cemetery," "interment," "burial right," "entombment right," "columbarium right," and "human remains" have the same meanings as in section 1721.21 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Political subdivision" means one or more municipal corporations, townships, or other bodies corporate and politic authorized to operate and maintain a cemetery under the law of this state.

(C) "Division of real estate" may be used interchangeably with, and for all purposes has the same meaning as, "division of real estate and professional licensing."

(D) "Superintendent" or "superintendent of the division of real estate" means the superintendent of the division of real estate and professional licensing of this state. Whenever the division or superintendent of real estate is referred to or designated in any statute, rule, contract, or other document, the reference or designation shall be deemed to refer to the division or superintendent of real estate and professional licensing, as the case may be.

Section 4767.02 | Registration required - duties of division of real estate in department of commerce.

• Effective: October 29, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 168 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Except as otherwise provided in division (D) of this section, no person, church, religious society, established fraternal organization, or political subdivision of the state shall own, operate, or maintain a cemetery unless the cemetery is registered pursuant to section 4767.03 of the Revised Code.

(B) The superintendent of the division of real estate in the department of commerce shall perform all of the following duties:

(1) Administer this chapter;

(2) Issue orders necessary to implement this chapter;

(3) Administer the cemetery grant program established under section 4767.10 of the Revised Code;

(4) Prescribe the form and content of all applications to be used for registration and renewal of registration pursuant to section 4767.03 of the Revised Code;

(5) Review applications for registration and issue registration certificates to cemeteries that meet the qualifications for registration pursuant to sections 4767.03 and 4767.04 of the Revised Code;

(6) Collect all fees related to the registration and renewal of registration certificates for cemeteries;

(7) Maintain a written record of each cemetery registered with the division, which shall include such documentation as required in division (A) of section 4767.04 of the Revised Code. The record shall be available for inspection by the public and copies shall be made available pursuant to division (B) of section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(8) Revoke the registration of any cemetery owner or operator convicted of a violation of section 1721.21 or 1721.211 of the Revised Code immediately upon receipt of notice of the conviction pursuant to section 119.06 of the Revised Code;

(9) Hire all division personnel necessary to implement this chapter;

(10) Refuse to issue a registration certificate to the purchaser of management rights, assets, or stock of a cemetery until the dispute resolution commission has received either of the following:

(a) Financial statements audited by a certified public accountant showing to the commission's satisfaction that all current funds required to be deposited and maintained pursuant to sections 1721.21 and 1721.211 of the Revised Code have been deposited and maintained; or

(b) A plan agreed to by the parties and approved by the commission in accordance with division (G) of section 4767.06 of the Revised Code.

(11) Establish and maintain an investigation and audit section within the division of real estate in the department of commerce to conduct investigations pursuant to division (A) of section 4767.08 of the Revised Code and to audit the financial records of a cemetery to ensure compliance with sections 1721.21 and 1721.211 of the Revised Code at least every five years, or more often as the section deems necessary. The investigators or auditors of the section may review and audit the business records of cemeteries during normal business hours.

(C) Investigators, auditors, and other personnel of the division or commission shall maintain the confidentiality of information obtained from cemeteries, complainants, or other persons during an investigation or while conducting an inspection, audit, and other inquiry under division (B)(11) of this section, and of all other reports, documents, and work product that result from that information and that are prepared by the investigators, auditors, or other personnel of the division or commission. Such information and other reports, documents, and work product are not a public record for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(D) Sections 4767.02 to 4767.04 of the Revised Code do not apply to or affect a family cemetery or a cemetery in which there have been no interments during the previous twenty-five calendar years. As used in this division, "family cemetery" means a cemetery containing the human remains of persons, at least three-fourths of whom have a common ancestor or who are the spouse or adopted child of that common ancestor.

Section 4767.021 | Powers of commission and superintendent.

• Effective: October 29, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 168 - 132nd General Assembly

The Ohio cemetery dispute resolution commission or the superintendent of the division of real estate in the department of commerce may compel, by order or subpoena, the production of any book, paper, or document in relation to any matter over which the commission or superintendent has jurisdiction and which is the subject of inquiry and investigation by the commission or superintendent. The commission or superintendent may also compel, by order or subpoena, the attendance of witnesses to testify in a hearing held under section 4767.07 of the Revised Code.

For such purpose, the commission or superintendent shall have the same power as judges of county courts to administer oaths, compel the attendance of witness, and compel the production of any book, paper, or document. Service of the subpoena may be made by sheriffs or constables, or by certified mail, return receipt requested, and the subpoena shall be deemed served on the date delivery is made or the date the person refused to accept delivery. Witnesses shall receive, after their appearance before the commission or superintendent, the fees and mileage provided for under section 119.094 of the Revised Code. If two or more witnesses travel together in the same vehicle, the mileage fee shall be paid to only one of those witnesses, but the witnesses may agree to divide the fee among themselves in any manner.

In addition to the powers granted to the commission and superintendent under this section, in case any person fails to file any statement or report, obey any subpoena, give testimony, answer questions, or produce any books, records, or papers as required by the commission or superintendent under this chapter, the court of common pleas of any county in the state, upon application made to it by the commission or superintendent setting forth such failure, may make an order awarding process of subpoena or subpoena duces tecum for the person to appear and testify before the commission or superintendent, and may order any person to give testimony and answer questions, and to produce books, records, or papers, as required by the commission or superintendent. Upon the filing of such order in the office of the clerk of the court of common pleas, the clerk, under the seal of the court, shall issue process of subpoena for the person to appear before the commission or superintendent at a time and place named in the subpoena, and each day thereafter until the examination of such person is completed. The subpoena may contain a direction that the witness bring with the witness to the examination any books, records, or papers mentioned in the subpoena. The clerk shall also issue, under the seal of the court, such other orders, in reference to the examination, appearance, and production of books, records, or papers, as the court directs. If any person so summoned by subpoena fails to obey the subpoena, to give testimony, to answer questions as required, or to obey an order of the court, the court, on motion supported by proof, may order an attachment for contempt to be issued against the person charged with disobedience of any order or injunction issued by the court under this chapter. If the person is brought before the court by virtue of the attachment, and if upon a hearing the disobedience appears, the court may order the offender to be committed and kept in close custody.

Section 4767.03 | Applying for registration.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A)(1) The owner or the person responsible for the operation and maintenance of a cemetery shall apply to the division of real estate in the department of commerce to register the cemetery on forms prescribed by the division. With the application, the applicant shall submit the documentation required in division (A) of section 4767.04 of the Revised Code and a registration fee of twenty-five dollars for one cemetery, forty dollars for two cemeteries, and fifty dollars for three or more cemeteries, except that no fee shall be required of any political subdivision.

(2) The director of commerce, by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, may reduce the amount of the registration fee required by this section in any year if the director determines that the total amount of funds the fee is generating at the amount specified by this section exceeds the amount of funds the division of real estate and the Ohio cemetery dispute resolution commission created by section 4767.05 of the Revised Code need to carry out their powers and duties under this chapter. If the director so reduces the amount of the registration fee, the director shall reduce it for all owners or other persons required to pay the fee under division (A)(1) of this section and shall require that the reduced fee be paid according to the number of cemeteries owned, operated, or maintained as required under that division. If the director has reduced the fee under division (A)(2) of this section, the director may later raise it up to the amounts specified in division (A)(1) of this section if, in any year, the director determines that the total amount of funds the fee is generating at the reduced amount is insufficient for the division of real estate and the Ohio cemetery dispute resolution commission to carry out their powers and duties under this chapter.

(B) Upon receipt of the completed application form, documentation, and, if required, registration fee, the division of real estate shall issue a certificate of registration to the applicant. The applicant shall display the certificate in a conspicuous place on the premises of the cemetery for which the registration was obtained, except that, if the applicant is the governing body of a political subdivision or person acting on behalf of that governing body, the certificate shall be kept on file and be available for public inspection at the office of the governing body.

(C) Except as otherwise provided in this division, each registration issued pursuant to this section shall expire annually on the thirtieth day of September and shall be renewed by the owner or the person responsible for the operation and maintenance of the cemetery for the continued operation of the cemetery. The renewal fee shall be the same as the initial registration fees prescribed in division (A) of this section.

The registration of a cemetery operated and maintained by a political subdivision shall not expire unless the political subdivision ceases to operate and maintain the cemetery. A political subdivision operating and maintaining a cemetery is not required to renew or update the registration of that cemetery unless there is a change in the information required under division (A) of section 4767.04 of the Revised Code or unless additional land is acquired to increase the size of the cemetery.

(D) All registration and renewal fees collected pursuant to this section shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the cemetery registration fund, which is hereby created in the state treasury. The division of real estate in the department of commerce shall use the fund to carry out its powers and duties under this chapter and by the Ohio cemetery dispute resolution commission created by section 4767.05 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 4, 2023 at 3:57 PM

Section 4767.031 | Registration of persons engaged to sell interment rights.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The owner or the person responsible for the operation of each cemetery required to register under section 4767.03 of the Revised Code shall provide the division of real estate in the department of commerce, on a form prescribed by the division, at the same time the owner or other person applies for registration or renewal of registration as required by section 4767.03 of the Revised Code, a list of the names and residence addresses of all persons employed or otherwise engaged by the cemetery to sell interment rights. The provision of this information constitutes the registration of these persons to sell interment rights.

In order for an independent contractor to sell interment rights for a cemetery, the cemetery shall sponsor and register the independent contractor with the division. More than one cemetery may sponsor and register the same independent contractor. The division shall register an independent contractor in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code if either of the following applies:

(1) The individual is licensed or registered in another state.

(2) The individual has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as an independent contractor selling interment rights for a cemetery in a state that does not issue that license or registration.

(B) The owner or the person responsible for the operation of each cemetery required to register under section 4767.03 of the Revised Code shall provide the division with a revised list of the names and residence addresses of all persons employed or otherwise engaged by the cemetery to sell interment rights within the calendar quarter immediately following the date of the termination of the cemetery's relationship with an existing salesperson or the commencement of a relationship with a new salesperson. As used in this division, "calendar quarter" means the three-month period that commences on the first day of each January, April, July, and October.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 5:46 AM

Section 4767.04 | Qualifications of registrants.

• Effective: October 29, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 168 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) To qualify a cemetery for a certificate of registration, the applicant shall submit to the division of real estate the following information:

(1) The name of the cemetery;

(2) The street address, city, village, or township, and county where the cemetery is located, and the mailing address if different from the street address;

(3) The name and address of the person who owns the cemetery;

(4) The name and address of the person responsible for the operation and maintenance of the cemetery;

(5) A copy of the cemetery's financial statement, including account statements, for the previous fiscal year if required by the division of real estate pursuant to section 1721.211 of the Revised Code. If the cemetery is owned by a cemetery company or association, a copy of the financial statement, including account statements, for the previous fiscal year of all of the assets and investments of the endowment care trust of the company or association as prepared pursuant to division (J)(1) of section 1721.21 of the Revised Code shall be submitted to the division.

(6) A copy of the cemetery's current rules and regulations provided in written or electronic format;

(7) A copy of the cemetery's endowment care trust fund agreement required under section 1721.21 of the Revised Code and preneed cemetery merchandise and services trust fund agreement required under section 1721.211 of the Revised Code;

(8) If required under section 1721.21 or 1721.211 of the Revised Code, proof that trustees who are individuals are bonded or insured as required.

(B) If any of the information required in divisions (A) (1) to (A)(5) of this section changes at any time, the owner or the person responsible for the operation and maintenance of the cemetery shall submit written notification of the change to the division within thirty days of the change occurring. The owner or the person responsible for the operation and maintenance of the cemetery shall submit to the division annually with the cemetery's registration renewal any revised rules and regulations, revised trust agreements, or revised proof of bonding or insurance.

(C) In addition to satisfying the requirements set forth in divisions (A) and (B) of this section, if a political subdivision intends to acquire additional land to increase the size of an existing cemetery that it is operating and maintaining or intends to open a new cemetery, its governing body shall notify the division at least thirty days before the acquisition or opening to renew the registration of the existing cemetery or to register the new cemetery.

Section 4767.05 | Ohio cemetery dispute resolution commission.

• Effective: October 29, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 168 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) There is hereby created the Ohio cemetery dispute resolution commission, which shall consist of nine members to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate as follows:

(1) One member shall be the management authority of a municipal, township, or union cemetery and shall be selected from a list of four names submitted to the governor. Two of the four names shall be submitted by the Ohio township association and two names shall be submitted by the Ohio municipal league.

(2) Four members shall be individuals employed in a management position by a cemetery company or cemetery association selected from a list of names submitted to the governor by the Ohio cemetery association.

(3) Two members shall be employed in a management position by a cemetery that is owned or operated by a religious, fraternal, or benevolent society and shall be selected from a list of four names submitted by the Ohio cemetery association.

(4) Two members, at least one of whom shall be at least sixty-five years of age, shall be representatives of the public with no financial interest in the death care industry.

Each member of the commission, except for the two members who represent the public, shall, at the time of appointment, have had a minimum of five consecutive years of experience in the active administration and management of a cemetery in this state.

(B) Within ninety days after July 1, 1993, the governor shall make initial appointments to the commission. Of the initial appointments, two shall be for terms ending July 1, 1994, two shall be for terms ending July 1, 1995, two shall be for terms ending July 1, 1996, and three shall be for terms ending July 1, 1997. Thereafter, terms of office shall be for four years, with each term ending on the same day of the same month as did the term that it succeeds. Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments, with each appointee, other than a representative of the public, being appointed from a list of two names submitted to the governor by the association or organization that was required to nominate candidates for initial appointment to the position that has become vacant. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of that term. A member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. No person shall serve as a member of the commission for more than two consecutive terms, excluding any term served to fill an initial appointment to a term of less than four years or an unexpired term caused by a vacancy.

(C) The commission annually shall elect from among its members a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary, each of whom shall serve a term of one year in that office. The commission shall meet at least four times a year. Additional meetings may be called by the chairperson, or by the vice-chairperson when the chairperson is disabled, or by a majority of the members of the commission. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum to transact and vote on business of the commission.

The chairperson or vice-chairperson may:

(1) Administer oaths;

(2) Issue subpoenas;

(3) Summon witnesses;

(4) Compel the production of books, papers, records, and other forms of evidence;

(5) Fix the time and place for hearing any matter related to compliance with sections 1721.19, 1721.20, 1721.21, 1721.211, 4735.02, 4767.02, and 4767.09 of the Revised Code.

The chairperson shall designate three members of the commission to serve on the crematory review board in accordance with section 4717.03 of the Revised Code for such time as the chairperson finds appropriate. Members designated to serve on the crematory review board shall perform all functions necessary to carry out the duties of the board as described in section 4717.03 of the Revised Code. Members who serve on the crematory review board shall receive no compensation for such service.

(D) Before entering upon the duties of office, each member of the commission shall take the oath pursuant to section 3.22 of the Revised Code. The governor may remove any member for misconduct, neglect of duty, incapacity, or malfeasance in accordance with section 3.04 of the Revised Code.

(E) Members of the commission shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the commission.

(F) The division of real estate in the department of commerce shall provide the commission with meeting space, staff services, and other technical assistance required by the commission in carrying out its duties pursuant to sections 4767.05 to 4767.08 of the Revised Code.

Section 4767.06 | Duties of commission.

• Effective: October 29, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 168 - 132nd General Assembly

The Ohio cemetery dispute resolution commission shall perform all of the following duties:

(A) Adopt, amend, and rescind such rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as are necessary in carrying out sections 4767.02 to 4767.11 of the Revised Code, including rules relative to the following:

(1) Transacting the commission's business and managing its affairs;

(2) Establishing procedures for receiving, reviewing, and responding to complaints filed pursuant to section 4767.07 of the Revised Code;

(3) Conducting investigations in response to complaints filed pursuant to division (A) of section 4767.07 of the Revised Code;

(4) Resolving complaints by using informal techniques of mediation, conciliation, and persuasion, including requiring the parties involved in a complaint to be given prompt notice of any offers to resolve disputes and responses thereto;

(5) Advising all parties making a complaint, or who are the subject of a complaint, of any recommendations or findings of fact made by the commission with respect to the complaint;

(6) Requesting the party who has filed a complaint or is the subject of a complaint, and is affected by recommendations of the commission made with respect to the complaint, to notify the commission within a time specified by the commission of any action the party has taken in response to the commission's recommendations;

(7) Conducting nonpublic hearings and maintaining commission proceedings and records as confidential, notwithstanding sections 121.22 and 149.43 of the Revised Code when the commission determines that the nature of the complaints merits that action;

(8) Determining the method to be used in serving notices as required by section 4767.07 of the Revised Code ;

(9) Conducting audits of financial records of a cemetery to ensure compliance with sections 1721.21 and 1721.211 of the Revised Code;

(10) Establishing procedures for registrations and renewals.

(B) Publicize information concerning the existence and duties of the commission and the procedure for filing complaints pursuant to section 4767.07 of the Revised Code;

(C) Conduct hearings on complaints pursuant to section 4767.07 of the Revised Code;

(D) Submit at least annually by the thirty-first day of March a report on the commission's activities of the immediately preceding calendar year to the governor and the majority and minority leaders of the senate and house of representatives. The report shall indicate the total number of complaints received, initiated, and investigated under sections 4767.07 and 4767.08 of the Revised Code; the total number of complaints for which hearings were held; and the total number of referrals made to prosecuting attorneys, the attorney general, and the real estate commission pursuant to section 4767.08 of the Revised Code.

(E) Review, at least once each year, all actions taken by the prosecuting attorneys, the attorney general, and the real estate commission in response to referrals made to them by the cemetery dispute resolution commission or by the superintendent of the division of real estate in the department of commerce. The commission shall include in the report required in division (D) of this section information regarding the nature of the inappropriate conduct alleged in each referral and the status or disposition made of each referral occurring during the preceding two years.

(F) Perform all functions as are necessary in administering and enforcing sections 4767.05 to 4767.08 of the Revised Code, including the rendering of all advice necessary under divisions (B)(8) to (10) of section 4767.02 of the Revised Code;

(G) Review all proposed transfers that would transfer substantially all of the assets or stock of a cemetery, require an audit of the cemetery's funds on deposit under sections 1721.21 and 1721.211 of the Revised Code, and formulate an agreed plan pursuant to which the buyer and the seller of the cemetery will cause those funds to be properly funded;

(H) Adopt and publish suggested maintenance guidelines for all cemeteries registered in the state of Ohio under Chapter 4767. of the Revised Code.

Section 4767.07 | Complaints.

• Effective: October 29, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 168 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Any person may file a complaint regarding the activity, practice, policy, or procedure of, or regarding an alleged violation of section 1721.19, 1721.20, 1721.21, 1721.211, 4735.02, 4767.02, or 4767.09 of the Revised Code by, any person operating or maintaining a cemetery registered, or a cemetery that is not registered but is required to be registered pursuant to section 4767.03 of the Revised Code that adversely affects or may adversely affect the interest of an owner or family member of the owner of a cemetery lot or burial, entombment, or columbarium right. All complaints shall be in writing and submitted to the division of real estate in the department of commerce on forms provided by the division.

(B) With respect to complaints filed pursuant to division (A) of this section, the division of real estate shall do all of the following:

(1) Acknowledge receipt of the complaint by sending written notice to the person who filed the complaint not more than twenty days after receipt of the complaint;

(2) Send written notice of the complaint within seven days after receipt of the complaint to the person responsible for the operation and maintenance of the cemetery that is the subject of the complaint;

(3) Before taking further action, allow the owner or the person responsible for the operation and maintenance of the cemetery that is the subject of a complaint thirty days after the date the division sends notice of the complaint to respond to the division with respect to the complaint.

(C) The cemetery dispute resolution commission shall hear each complaint filed pursuant to division (A) of this section within one hundred eighty days after its filing, unless it has been resolved by the parties to the complaint.

Section 4767.08 | Conduct of investigations.

• Effective: October 29, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 168 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The superintendent of the division of real estate in the department of commerce or the Ohio cemetery dispute resolution commission, on the superintendent's or commission's own motion or as a result of a complaint received pursuant to section 4767.07 of the Revised Code and with good cause shown, shall investigate or cause to be investigated alleged violations of sections 1721.19, 1721.20, 1721.21, 1721.211, 4735.02, 4767.02, 4767.03, and 4767.09 of the Revised Code. If the commission or the superintendent believes that a violation has occurred, the commission or superintendent shall do all of the following:

(1) Review the financial records of the cemetery to ensure compliance with sections 1721.21 and 1721.211 of the Revised Code;

(2) Request the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the alleged violation occurred to initiate such proceedings as are appropriate.

(B) If, as a result of an investigation, the commission or the superintendent believes that a person has violated Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code, the commission or superintendent shall report the findings to the attorney general.

(C) The commission, at any time, may dismiss a complaint if it determines there is not good cause shown for the complaint. If the commission dismisses a complaint, it shall notify the person who filed the complaint within twenty days of reaching its decision and identify the reason why the complaint was dismissed.

Section 4767.09 | Reasonable maintenance.

• Effective: October 29, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 168 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The owner or person responsible for the operation of a cemetery registered with the division of real estate in the department of commerce shall provide reasonable maintenance of the cemetery property and of all lots, graves, mausoleums, scattering grounds, and columbaria in the cemetery based on the type and size of the cemetery, topographic limitation, and contractual commitments with consumers.

(B) In determining whether the owner or person responsible for the operation of a cemetery registered with the division provides reasonable maintenance of the cemetery property, the division or the cemetery dispute resolution commission may consider all of the following:

(1) The size of the cemetery;

(2) The type of cemetery;

(3) The extent and use of available financial resources;

(4) The contractual obligations for care and maintenance of the owner or person responsible for the operation of the registered cemetery;

(5) The standard of maintenance of one or more similarly situated cemeteries. In determining whether a cemetery is similarly situated, the division shall consider the cemetery's size, type, location, topography, and financial resources.

(6) The suggested maintenance guidelines the commission publishes under division (H) of section 4767.06 of the Revised Code;

(7) Other sections of the Revised Code related to cemetery maintenance.

(C) The owner or person responsible for the operation of the cemetery registered with the division, in the course of providing reasonable maintenance, may not preclude the exercise of lawful rights by the owner of an interment, inurnment, or entombment right, or by the decedent's immediate family or other heirs in accordance with the rules and regulations of the cemetery or other agreement of the cemetery authority.

(D) In the case of a cemetery or any portion of a cemetery dedicated as a nature preserve, reasonable maintenance by the owner or person responsible for the operation of the cemetery shall be in accordance with the regulations of the cemetery or the master plan governing the cemetery.

(E) A cemetery shall maintain electronic or paper cemetery records pertaining to interment, entombment, or inurnment right owners and interment, entombment, or inurnment records indicating the deceased's name, place of death, and date and location of the interment, entombment, or inurnment in the cemetery's office. Records may be maintained in an electronic formation only if the electronic copies are true copies of the original documents.

Section 4767.10 | Cemetery grant fund.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The division of real estate in the department of commerce shall use one dollar of each burial permit fee collected pursuant to section 3705.17 of the Revised Code and paid into the state treasury to the credit of the cemetery registration fund created under section 4767.03 of the Revised Code to advance grants to cemeteries registered with the division to defray the costs of exceptional cemetery maintenance or training cemetery personnel in the maintenance and operation of cemeteries. The division may not provide a grant to a corporation or association that operates a cemetery for profit. The division shall advance grants from the cemetery registration fund in accordance with rules adopted by the Ohio cemetery dispute resolution commission under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(B) The director of commerce may increase, by rule adopted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the amount of total grants the division may advance in a fiscal year if the director determines the total amount of funds generated exceeds the amount of funds the division needs to carry out its powers and duties under this section. If the director determines the increased amount depletes the amount of funds the division needs to carry out its powers and duties under this section, the director may decrease the amount not below the amount specified in division (A) of this section.

Last updated October 4, 2023 at 3:58 PM

Section 4767.11 | Ceased operations.

• Effective: October 29, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 168 - 132nd General Assembly

Upon receipt of information that the owner or person responsible for the operation of a registered cemetery or a cemetery that was required to be registered has ceased operation of that cemetery, the division of real estate in the department of commerce may investigate for purposes of determining the cemetery's current status.

If the division finds evidence that the cemetery has ceased operation and a municipal corporation or township has not assumed day-to-day management of the cemetery, the division may apply to the court of common pleas of the county in which the cemetery is located for appointment of a temporary receiver or trustee. The order appointing the temporary receiver or trustee shall order the trustee or trustees of the endowment care trust of the cemetery to make distributions to the receiver or trustee in accordance with section 1721.21 of the Revised Code.

The receiver shall only be paid from the income of interest and dividends in the endowment care trust being held pursuant to section 1721.21 of the Revised Code. The receiver may not invade the principal or capital gains of the trust.

Section 4767.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: October 20, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 18 - 123rd General Assembly

Whoever violates division (A) of section 4767.02 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.