This bill amends New Jersey law to permit the operation of crematories as standalone facilities, separate from cemetery grounds or funeral homes, which marks a significant shift from existing regulations that only allow crematories to be located on cemetery property or in conjunction with funeral homes established before December 1, 1971. The legislation introduces the definition of a "cremation company," which refers to entities that own or operate these independent crematory facilities. It also expands the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Cemetery and Crematory Board to include oversight of crematory companies, ensuring compliance with regulations similar to those governing cemetery companies.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that both cemetery and crematory companies file their regulations and service charges with the board before engaging with the public. New crematories established after the bill's effective date must be owned or operated by governmental entities, religious organizations, or certified crematory companies. The legislation outlines the application process for obtaining a certificate of authority to operate a crematory, including public notice requirements and adherence to health regulations. It also imposes new operational requirements on crematory companies, such as filing annual reports, maintaining cremation records, and prohibits them from selling urns or conducting funeral home operations. Overall, the bill aims to modernize the regulatory framework for cremation services in New Jersey while enhancing oversight and expanding operational possibilities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45:27-2, 45:27-4, 45:27-5, 45:27-6, 45:27-7, 45:27-18, 45:27-22, 45:27-25, 45:27-26, 45:27-35, 45:27-36, 45:27-37, 45:27-40, 45:27-41