SPONSOR: West
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on General Laws by a vote of 11 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules-Administrative by a vote of 8 to 0.
This bill adds the definition of "human and pet cemetery" to the provisions relating to cemeteries in the State, which would allow for the creation of cemeteries in which both human remains and the remains of other creatures could be interred and memorialized at the discretion of the lot holder and according to the rules of the human and pet cemetery.
This bill is similar to HB 2672 (2024) and HB 929 (2023).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that pet cemeteries have become more popular over time as an option for burial proceedings. Supporters further say that it is important to allow for people's wishes as to how they wish to handle the death of a pet, which is exactly how the market is supposed to work. Burying pets and humans in the same plot can often be part of a religious preference.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative West; Associated Cemeteries Of Missouri; and Arnie Dienoff.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: