Missouri § 214.550 - Scatter gardens, operation by churches maintaining religious cemeteries — maintenance of garden and records, duty of operator.
Full text of Missouri Revised Statutes of Missouri § 214.550 — Scatter gardens, operation by churches maintaining religious cemeteries — maintenance of garden and records, duty of operator., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 214.550. Scatter gardens, operation by churches maintaining religious cemeteries — maintenance of garden and records, duty of operator.
1. For purposes of this section, the following terms mean:
(1) "Cremains", the remains of a human corpse after cremation;
(2) "Operator", a church that owns and maintains a religious cemetery;
(3) "Religious cemetery", a cemetery owned, operated, controlled, or managed by any church that has or would qualify for federal tax-exempt status as a nonprofit religious organization pursuant to Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code as amended;
(4) "Scatter garden", a location for the spreading of cremains set aside within a cemetery.
2. It shall be lawful for any operator of a religious cemetery adjacent to a church building or other building regularly used as a place of worship to establish a scatter garden for the purpose of scattering human cremains.
3. The operator of any religious cemetery containing a scatter garden shall maintain, protect, and supervise the scatter garden, and shall be responsible for all costs incurred for such maintenance, protection, and supervision. Such operator shall also maintain a record of all cremains scattered in the scatter garden that shall include the name, date of death, and Social Security number of each person whose cremains are scattered, and the date the cremains were scattered.
4. A scatter garden established pursuant to this section shall be maintained by the operator of the religious cemetery for as long as such operator is in existence. Upon dissolution of such operator, all records of cremains shall be transferred to the clerk of the city, town, or village in which the scatter garden is located, or if the scatter garden is located in any unincorporated area, to the county recorder.
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(L. 2002 H.B. 1148, A.L. 2010 H.B. 1692, et al. merged with H.B. 2226, et al. merged with S.B. 754)
---- end of effective 28 Aug 2010 ----
Source: official Missouri text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri § 214.550
What does Revised Statutes of Missouri § 214.550 cover?
Section 214.550 ("Scatter gardens, operation by churches maintaining religious cemeteries — maintenance of garden and records, duty of operator.") is part of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, the codified statutory law of Missouri. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Missouri § 214.550?
A common citation format is "Revised Statutes of Missouri § 214.550" (Missouri). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Missouri law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Missouri official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Missouri attorney.
How does Missouri § 214.550 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Missouri can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Missouri.