AboutLisa Carlson Expertise Funeral Law. Having written a 640-page book on funeral law for consumers with state-by-state information, I am very conversant with consumer rights in this regard: What are the laws on disposition of cremated remains? Is embalming required? Do I have to use a funeral home? Can I have a home wake? Is it a state law to buy a vault? I prepaid for a funeral but changed my mind. They won`t give me all my money back. What can I do? . . . etc.
Expert: Lisa Carlson Date: 6/30/2008 Subject: creating a church burial plot in North Carolina
Question Hi, Lisa -
I started to look up the answer in the list of questions and answers but WOW! there are so many.
I'm the abbot of a Zen center near Pittsboro, NC. See us at nczencenter.org. I'm thinking about my own burial, but there may be others.
Looking on the web for help about burial on site led me to your book, which I've ordered, and to all you experts.
It's a great service you are providing.
Thanks!
Sandy
Answer Hi, Sandy,
My book is now out of print, and I'm working on a new edition. I can e-mail you the NC chapter if you e-mail me directly-- lisa@funeralethics.org
There should be no problem with establishing a burial ground, especially a religious one. Simply draw a map of the land showing where the burial ground will be and pay to have it recorded with the deed. A good practice is 150 ft. from a water supply and 25 ft. from a power line or boundary. You could stop in and have a chat with the zoning administrator, if you want, but sometimes it's better not to ask too many questions if you're not sure of the answers. The statutes in NC are relatively silent on this, so there simply isn't any clear authority. If you simply go ahead and set it up, I can't imagine anyone who would object.
