45:27-14 - Deposit for maintenance of private mausoleum; other funding requirements
45:27-14 Deposit for maintenance of private mausoleum; other funding requirements.14. a. A minimum of 10% of the gross contract price for construction and placement of any private mausoleum shall be deposited, before the structure is erected, with the cemetery company, in trust for the maintenance of the structure and the area on which it is located.
b.A cemetery or cemetery company shall not begin to use a public mausoleum for the burial of human remains until it has established a Building Maintenance Fund, an irrevocable trust fund of not less than 10% of the total cost of the structure, walkways, architect fees, building permit fees, landscaping, installation of utility lines and internal furnishings. The income from the trust fund, and the income only, shall be used for the maintenance of the structure. This provision shall not apply to temporary receiving vaults.
c.Any person may create a trust fund to be held in perpetuity or for a time to be used for the care or embellishment of any grave or crypt, mausoleum or memorial. However, the trust fund shall be consistent with regulations of the cemetery and shall not be larger than necessary to achieve the trust's purposes. If a court finds that the trust fund is excessive, it may reduce it to a reasonable sum.
d.A cemetery company may receive funds for the care or embellishment of any grave or crypt, mausoleum or memorial. It shall maintain these funds separate from the Maintenance and Preservation Fund or any other trust fund required by this act. Each fund shall be administered as agreed between the grantor and the cemetery company. The income from each of these funds shall be used for the particular purpose of the fund.
e.The funds shall be established in a State or federally regulated financial institution having and maintaining a principal place of business within this State and shall be invested in accordance with the "Prudent Investor Act," P.L.1997, c.26 (C.3B:20-11.1 et seq.). The board may adopt regulations on the operation and use of trust funds. This subsection shall not apply to a religious organization that constructs a structure for the interment of human remains.
f.The cemetery company or other trustee of a fund required by this section may collect fees for the administration of the trust allowed by law and regulations of the board.
L.2003,c.261,s.14.