68.56 Revised Code of Washington

RCW 68.56.010
Unlawful damage to graves, markers, shrubs, etc. -- Interfering with funeral.
Every person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who unlawfully or without right wilfully does any of the following:

(1) Destroys, cuts, mutilates, effaces, or otherwise injures, tears down or removes, any tomb, plot, monument, memorial or marker in a cemetery, or any gate, door, fence, wall, post or railing, or any enclosure for the protection of a cemetery or any property in a cemetery.

(2) Destroys, cuts, breaks, removes or injures any building, statuary, ornamentation, tree, shrub, flower or plant within the limits of a cemetery.

(3) Disturbs, obstructs, detains or interferes with any person carrying or accompanying human remains to a cemetery or funeral establishment, or engaged in a funeral service, or an interment.

[1943 c 247 § 36; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-36. Cf. 1909 c 249 § 240 and 1856-57 p 28 §§ 4, 5. Formerly RCW 68.48.010.]

RCW 68.56.020
Unlawful damage to graves, markers, shrubs, etc. -- Civil liability for damage.
Any person violating any provision of *RCW 68.48.010 is liable, in a civil action by and in the name of the cemetery authority, to pay all damages occasioned by his unlawful acts. The sum recovered shall be applied in payment for the repair and restoration of the property injured or destroyed.

[1943 c 247 § 37; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-37. Formerly RCW 68.48.020.]

NOTES:

*Reviser's note: RCW 68.48.010 was recodified as RCW 68.56.010 pursuant to 1987 c 331 § 89.

RCW 68.56.030
Unlawful damage to graves, markers, shrubs, etc. -- Exceptions.
The provisions of *RCW 68.48.010 do not apply to the removal or unavoidable breakage or injury, by a cemetery authority, of any thing placed in or upon any portion of its cemetery in violation of any of the rules or regulations of the cemetery authority, nor to the removal of anything placed in the cemetery by or with the consent of the cemetery authority which has become in a wrecked, unsightly or dilapidated condition.

[1943 c 247 § 37; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-37. Formerly RCW 68.48.030.]

NOTES:

*Reviser's note: RCW 68.48.010 was recodified as RCW 68.56.010 pursuant to 1987 c 331 § 89.

RCW 68.56.040
Nonconforming cemetery a nuisance -- Penalty -- Costs of prosecution.
Every person, firm or corporation who is the owner or operator of a cemetery established in violation of *this act is guilty of maintaining a public nuisance and upon conviction is punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than one month nor more than six months, or by both; and, in addition is liable for all costs, expenses and disbursements paid or incurred in prosecuting the case.

[1943 c 247 § 145; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-145. Formerly RCW 68.48.040.]

NOTES:

*Reviser's note: For "this act," see note following RCW 68.04.020.

Section applies to certain mausoleums, columbariums, etc.: RCW 68.28.010.

RCW 68.56.050
Defendant liable for costs.
Every person who violates any provision of *this act is guilty of a misdemeanor, and in addition is liable for all costs, expenses, and disbursements paid or incurred by a person prosecuting the case.

[1943 c 247 § 139; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-139. Formerly RCW 68.48.060.]

NOTES:

*Reviser's note: For "this act," see note following RCW 68.04.020.

Costs, etc., to be fixed by court having jurisdiction: RCW 68.28.065.

Section applies to certain mausoleums, columbariums, etc.: RCW 68.28.010.

RCW 68.56.060
Police authority -- Who may exercise.
The sexton, superintendent or other person in charge of a cemetery, and such other persons as the cemetery authority designates have the authority of a police officer for the purpose of maintaining order, enforcing the rules and regulations of the cemetery association, the laws of the state, and the ordinances of the city or county, within the cemetery over which he has charge, and within such radius as may be necessary to protect the cemetery property.

[1943 c 247 § 55; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-55. Formerly RCW 68.48.080.]

RCW 68.56.070
Forfeiture of office for inattention to duty.
The office of any director or officer who acts or permits action contrary to *this act immediately thereupon becomes vacant.

[1943 c 247 § 132; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 3778-132. Formerly RCW 68.48.090.]

NOTES:

*Reviser's note: For "this act," see note following RCW 68.04.020.

RCW 68.56.900
Effective date -- 1987 c 331.

See RCW 68.05.900.