Cemetery Board public meetings in 2025
5 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Cemetery Board
The Louisiana Cemetery Board's Investigative Committee will meet to discuss potential investigations of seven cemetery authorities across the state, including Fern Park Cemetery in Natchitoches, Forest Park East and West in Shreveport, The Bridge Cemetery in New Iberia, Winnfield Memorial Park in Baton Rouge, Alexandria Memorial Garden in Woodworth, and St. Bernard Memorial Garden in Chalmette. The committee will also consider actions against non-renewed cemetery authorities. The meeting will include an executive session for these discussions, followed by a return to open session for any necessary votes.
- Potential investigation of Fern Park Cemetery, Natchitoches, LA (2025-001-I)
- Potential investigation of Forest Park East and West, Shreveport, LA (2025-002-I)
- Potential investigation of The Bridge Cemetery, New Iberia, LA (2025-003-I)
- Potential investigation of Winnfield Memorial Park, Baton Rouge, LA (2025-021-C)
- Consideration of actions against non-renewed Cemetery Authorities
The Louisiana Cemetery Board Investigative Committee reviewed six cemetery investigations. Four cases were moved forward for further review via informal hearings, one case was closed, and one case was deferred.
- Moved Fern Park Cemetery (Natchitoches) to Informal Hearing (Unanimous)
- Moved Forest Park East and West (Shreveport) to Informal Hearing (Unanimous)
- Moved The Bridge Cemetery (New Iberia) to Informal Hearing (Unanimous)
- Moved St. Bernard Memorial Garden (Chalmette) to Informal Hearing (Unanimous)
- Closed matter relating to Alexander Memorial Garden (Woodworth) without further action (Unanimous)
- Deferred matter relating to Winnfield Memorial Park (Baton Rouge) (Unanimous)
Cemetery Board
The Board will discuss the projected 2026 budget, including a consulting contract extension, and review various cemetery applications. Members will also consider the appointment of a new chairman and a lease renewal for their Metairie office.
- Approval of pre-construction sales projects for cemeteries in New Iberia, Tallulah, Lafayette, Brusly, and Dulac
- Approval of Certificates of Authority for 11 non-exempt and 26 new exempt cemeteries
- Review of 6 applications for Total Return Trusts
- Discussion and approval of lease renewal for 3445 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 509
- Review of proposed amended regulations
The Board unanimously approved the 2026 budget, including a fee increase to $15.00 per interment. It also elected Michele M. Holloway as Chair effective January 1, 2026, and approved a five-year lease renewal for its Metairie offices. Additionally, the Board granted salary increases for the Executive Director and Assistant Executive Director.
- Approved 2026 Budget with $15.00 fee per interment/entombment/inurement/scattering (Unanimous)
- Approved 2025 Amended Budget and Financial Statements (Unanimous)
- Elected Michele M. Holloway as Board Chair effective Jan 1, 2026 (Unanimous)
- Approved 5-year lease renewal for 3445 N. Causeway Blvd at $2,889.33/month (Unanimous)
- Approved 6% pay increase for Executive Director Sullivan and 5% for Assistant Director Arbo (Unanimous)
- Approved 5 applications for Pre-Construction Sales Projects (Unanimous)
- Approved 10 Non-Exempt and 24 Exempt cemetery licenses (Unanimous)
- Approved 5 applications to convert to Total Return Trust Method (Unanimous)
Cemetery Board
The Rules Committee of the Louisiana Cemetery Board will meet to discuss possible revisions to the board's regulations in Title 46, Part XIII, and prepare amendment recommendations for the full board. The agenda includes public comment and is otherwise procedural.
- Discussion of possible revisions to regulations in Title 46, Part XIII
- Preparation of amendment recommendations for the next full board meeting
The Rules Committee reviewed proposed amendments to the Regulations of the Louisiana Cemetery Board in Title 46, Part XIII. The committee voted to recommend these amendments to the full Louisiana Cemetery Board for consideration at its November 2025 meeting.
- Unanimously approved recommendation to send proposed amendments to the Louisiana Cemetery Board for the November 2025 meeting
Cemetery Board
The Louisiana Cemetery Board's Investigative Committee will meet to consider approving pre-construction sales projects for four cemeteries, renew hundreds of certificates of authority for non-exempt and exempt cemeteries, and issue new certificates for over 20 cemeteries. The board will also discuss updates on trust repayments, a task force, and a request to withdraw a pre-construction project.
- Approval of pre-construction sales projects for Westlawn Memorial Park (Gretna), Our Lady of Peace Cemetery (Vacherie), St. James Cemetery (St. James), and St. Phillip Cemetery (Vacherie).
- Renewal of 560 non-exempt certificates of authority and 870 exempt renewals.
- New certificates of authority for Forest Park Cemetery (Shreveport), Greer Cemetery (Rayville), and 20 other cemeteries.
- Update on repayments to trusts for Garden of Memories (Alexandria) and Faith Memorial Park (Delhi).
- Discussion of a request to withdraw a pre-construction project for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cemetery due to lack of sales since 2014.
The Board approved financial statements for 2024 and renewed the contract for Special Counsel Conlee S. Whiteley for two years. The Board also approved numerous certificates of authority for cemetery renewals and new applications, and appointed Dr. Ryan Seidemann to the Cemetery Response Task Force.
- Approved February 28, 2025, meeting minutes (Unanimous)
- Approved 2024 financial statements (Unanimous)
- Appointed Dr. Ryan Seidemann to the Cemetery Response Task Force (Unanimous)
- Renewed Special Counsel Conlee S. Whiteley's contract for two years (Unanimous)
- Approved application #2025-030-A for Lafayette Memorial Park to convert to Total Return Distribution Method (Unanimous)
- Approved withdrawal and fee refund for Family Burial Ground Application 2025-012-A (Unanimous)
- Approved withdrawal of Pre-Construction Sales Project for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cemetery (Unanimous)
- Approved 22 examination and inspection reports
Cemetery Board
The Investigative Committee of the Louisiana Cemetery Board will meet to review pre-construction applications and certificates of authority. The board will also discuss participation in a Department of Justice licensing review program and a complaint regarding Polyguard/Vantage Vaults.
- Pre-construction applications for cemeteries in Lake Charles, Lafayette, Hammond, and New Orleans
- Certificates of Authority for Sunlight/Snyder Cemetery and Beau Pre Cemetery
- Exempt status applications for nine cemeteries including Walker, Cooper Family Lakeview, and Magnolia Hill
- Board participation in the Department of Justice’s Occupational Licensing Review Program
- Discussion regarding a complaint relating to Polyguard/Vantage Vaults
The Board approved several pre-construction sales projects and cemetery licenses. It also voted to join the Department of Justice’s Occupational Licensing Review Program and adopted a new Return-to-Work Plan policy.
- Approved 4 Applications for Pre-Construction Sales Projects (unanimous)
- Approved 2 Certificates of Authority for Sunlight/Snyder and Beau Pre cemeteries (unanimous)
- Approved 9 Exempt Applications for various family and private cemeteries (unanimous)
- Approved participation in DOJ Occupational Licensing Review Program at $3.90 per licensee (unanimous)
- Approved Policy and Procedure 3(G) regarding Transitional Return to Work Plan (unanimous)
- Approved November 22, 2024 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Scheduled next meetings for May 21 & 22, 2025