What generally defines the scope of a cemetery's authority?

The scope of a cemetery's authority is primarily defined by state or county regulations, which provide the legal framework for how cemeteries operate. These regulations cover a wide range of aspects, including the establishment of the cemetery, burial practices, maintenance standards, and record-keeping requirements. They ensure that cemeteries comply with health and safety standards, as well as local customs and community needs.

While local city zoning laws may influence where a cemetery can be established and how they can be developed or maintained, they are often derivative of the broader state or county regulations that govern cemeteries specifically. Private ownership policies can dictate the operations of privately owned cemeteries but still fall under the overarching state laws. National funeral service standards provide guidance for uniform practices within the profession but do not dictate the authoritative scope of individual cemeteries at the state or county level. Therefore, it is the state or county regulations that have the most direct impact on defining the authority and operational parameters of cemeteries.