Mort Law Exam 3 Flashcards
Is a fixed place of business used in the care and preparation for the funeral and/or disposition of dead human bodies
Funeral Establishment
Funeral Establishment
The police power of the state and local government authorizes licensing and regulating of funeral directors and funeral establishments
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Funeral Establishment Restrictions
Ordinances Building Codes Covenants Nuisance Regulatory Specifications
Laws passed by a municipal governing body such as a • Town • City Zoning, building, safety, etc. Special Use Permits Matters not already covered by federal and/or state laws
Ordinances:
Laws passed by a municipality by virtue of the police power which regulates the kind of building, residences, or businesses that may be built and used in different parts (zones) of the municipality
ZONING ORDINANCES
Municipality Zonings
• Residential
• Commercial
• Note: In some municipalities there may be either no zoning or a combination of residential/commercial
Funeral Establishments
• Are classified as commercial use or business use of property
• Generally not allowed to operate in residential zones
• New/changed zoning ordinances may affect existing uses
• “Grand-father” clause - allows existing nonconforming
uses to stay with restrictions
ISSUED BY LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES
Grant permission to use a building or facility for a specified use or purpose such as hospitals, churches, etc
Allow exceptions to zoning ordinances for professions such as doctors and dentists
SPECIAL USE PERMITS
Funeral Directing is considered a business and not a profession would not quality for
Special Use Permits
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Regulations which control requirements for business and residential buildings regarding • Fire and Safety • Maintenance and operation • Occupancy and use • Appearance • Designs, materials used in construction, parking spaces, plumbing, electrical, restrooms, signs, etc.
BUILDING CODES
Provisions in a deed limiting the use of property and prohibiting certain uses
Example: Deed Restrictions
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE Contracts dealing with transfer of ownership Seller agrees Not To Compete • For a specified period of time • Nor in a specified geographical area • Both are enforceable by law if deemed reasonable
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Invasion of a Landowner’s use of property which interferes with the public or another landowner’s use and enjoyment of his/her property
NUISANCE
Acts, occupations, or structures which are nuisances at all times and under all circumstances May be prejudicial to public morals, dangerous to life, or injurious to public rights
NUISANCE PER SE
FUNERAL HOME IS NOT A
NUISANCE PER SE
Acts, occupations, or structures
which are not nuisances per se,
but may become _________ by circumstances of the location or manner in which it is operated
NUISANCES IN FACT
FUNERAL HOME MAY BECOME A NUISANCE IN FACT
FEDERAL STANDARDS:
• OSHA
• EPA
• ADA
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Rules related to embalming procedures, funeral home personnel protection & safety
OSHA-Occupational Safety & Health Act
Rules concerning the use and control of formaldehyde and chemicals used by embalmers
EPA-Environmental Protection
Agency
• To provide individuals with full use and enjoyment of public accommodations
• Requires businesses to remove
architectural, communication and transportation barriers for physically impaired
• Provided it can be done without much difficulty and expense
ADA- American With Disabilities Act
ADA- American With Disabilities Act
Established two building standards:
• Buildings built after January 26, 1993 must comply to all ADA requirements
ADA- American With Disabilities Act
• Buildings built before January 26, 1993 have four priorities:
• 1st - ramps;widen doors;cut curbs;& put in handicap parking
• 2nd - provide public access to areas where goods and services are provided
• 3rd - establish access to restrooms i.e. toilet seats;mirrors; sinks;towel dispensers; & grab bars
• 4th - any other modifications
i.e. water fountains; phones;etc.
ADA WITHHOLDING SERVICES
Individuals with AIDS or other such diseases shall not be refused service i.e. embalming
Nor should there be a surcharge for such service
Doing so is a violation of the ADA
Family can file action under ADA
ADA ENFORCEMENT By U.S. Attorney General Or private individuals Penalties • Remove the violation • First violation $50,000 • Subsequent violations $100,000
STATE STANDARDS: Fixed location Licensed personnel - FDIC - – however, owner of the funeral home doesn't have to be a licensed funeral director. Access to rolling stock
STATE STANDARDS:
Facilities for conducting
funerals
Display room with proper number and selection of
caskets (TX 2 full caskets of 1 is cheapest, of 5 displays)
Adequate preparation room
STATE STANDARDS:
PREPARATION ROOM
Designed and equipped for
embalming and preparing dead human remains
Sufficient size
Secluded from the public
Walls, ceiling, and floor nonporous for easy cleaning
STATE STANDARDS: PREPARATION ROOM continued Proper ventilation (OSHA) Sewer and disposal facilities Hot and cold running water Preparation Table Instruments and chemicals Meet local and state sanitary codes
Area of ground set aside and dedicated for the final disposition of dead human bodies
CEMETERY
Classifications of Cemeteries
• Public
• Private
• National
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• Accessible for burial by any member of the public
• May include designated “sections”
– Veterans
– Children
– Specific religious groups (Jewish,Roman Catholic,
Protestant, etc.)
Public Cemeteries
Types of Ownership and Operation - Public Cemetery
• Private Individual • Company • Corporation • Local municipality – Village, town, city, county
Accessible for burial only by those who are granted permission
Private Cemeteries
Types of Ownership and Operation - Private Cemeteries
- Private individual
- Company
- Corporation (not-for-profit and or for profit)
- Interments may be restricted for religious beliefs and/or customs
- A cemetery created by an act of the U.S. Congress
- Burial is typically restricted to eligible veterans of the armed forces (Army, Navy, Marines, etc.)
- And eligible dependents (spouse, minor children) - burial is next available, spouses are stacked.
National Cemeteries
Eligibility National Cemeteries
• Established prior to interment
• Proof of service
– Copy of
• Veteran’s service record (VA Form DD-214) or
• Veteran’s discharge certificate
• Veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable
Cemetery Location is dictated by :
– POLICE POWER - due to the need to dispose of the dead for
public health reasons
– EMINENT DOMAIN
– The inherent power of a government to take private
property for public use in the U.S.
– May be used to obtain land for a public cemetery
– Requires just compensation to property owners
Cemetery Location: • Zoning Ordinances – Same as funeral homes – Cemetery not allowed in residential • Regardless . . . • CEMETERY IS NOT A NUISANCE PER SE
The inherent power of a government to take private
property for public use in the U.S.
EMINENT DOMAIN
RULES AND REGULATIONS
• Enactments by an administrative body governing
the jurisdiction of that agency
• Must be “reasonable”
• State and local rules and regulations can determine
both the cemetery location and operation
• Related to POLICE POWER - when protecting the
public health
Discrimination
• Restrictions on interment may be related to:
– Religious beliefs and/or customs
• Jewish, Roman Catholic, Protestant, etc.
– Military Service
• National Cemetery
• Most restrictions are with private rather than public
cemeteries due to differences in ownership and/or
rules and regulations
Cemetery property is considered personal property even though it is “real estate” used for a specific purpose
Rights of Ownership
Cemetery property is:
– Licensed for interment and not actual ownership of land
Rights of Ownership: • Owner has right to : – Interment/bury – Use driveway for access – Use an outer burial container – Have a marker or monument
Rights of Ownership • To have plot cared for and protected – Perpetual or endowed care • To sell the plot – According to cemetery guidelines – Must obtain permission from cemetery owner – If no interment in the grave
• Interment is subject to cemetery rules and regulations • Such as: – Outer burial container may be required – Flowers/Plants/Trees/Shrubs/etc. – Type of marker • Flats vs uprights
Right to Inter
Desecration of Graves
• IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE
• Society has high regard, respect, and morality associated
with final resting place of deceased individuals
• Public sentiment dictates that cemetery is “sacred ground”
and should not be disturbed
Desecration of Graves
TEXAS LAW
• Third Degree Felony for desecration of a body
• Class C misdemeanor for desecration of cemetery property
Generally Held Views
• Generally speaking the law looks at cemeteries as sacred ground
• Once a cemetery always a cemetery
• Look at disinterments UNFAVORABLY unless
there is compelling reason to do so
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- Removal of a human corpse previously buried in the earth
* Removal of entombed body or cremains from their repository
DISINTERMENT (EXHUMATION)
DISINTERMENT (EXHUMATION) Typically not permitted . . .
• Respect for human desire to not have one’s remains disturbed
• Sentiment (feelings) of survivors • Protection of public health
DISINTERMENT (EXHUMATION) However . . . • Disinterment may be : • Public interest permitted for • Private reasons • Contractual purposes
DISINTERMENT Public Interest
• One of two principle grounds upon which disinterment may be authorized by law
– Disinterment and reinterment occur in same location
– Used to further some matter of public interest
DISINTERMENT Public Interest
• Gather evidence for criminal or civil cases
• State has power to request exhumation
• “Police power”