AB 285

This bill creates an exemption from the requirements applicable to

mausoleums and cemeteries for certain columbaria maintained by religious

associations. A columbarium is a building, structure, or part of a building or

structure that is used or intended to be used for the inurnment of cremated human

remains. Under current law, a columbarium that contains more than ten niches for

the repose of cremated human remains or in which at least one niche is offered for

sale to the general public is considered a "public mausoleum" and must be located in

a cemetery. All columbaria are subject to certain other requirements applicable to

mausoleums under current law.

The exemption created in this bill provides that a columbarium established and

used by a church or other religious association is not subject to the requirements for

mausoleums and cemeteries, including the requirement that a public mausoleum be

contained in a cemetery, if certain requirements are satisfied, including all of the

following:

1. The columbarium must be located on property owned by the religious

association and on which is located the religious association's church building or

other place of worship.

2. The religious association must ensure that the columbarium is perpetually

kept and maintained in a manner consistent with the intent of Wisconsin's

cemeteries law, including by ensuring that sufficient funds are continually available

for the care of the columbarium.

3. If the religious association ceases to use or occupy the church building or

other place of worship where the columbarium is located, the religious association

must relocate the urns contained in the columbarium.