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What are Cemetery Districts?
Section 8900 of the Health and Safety Code authorizes the formation of public cemetery districts. The Health and Safety Code governs the operation of cemetery districts. Burial
privileges (according to the Health and Safety Code) are limited to current or former
district residents or taxpayers or former residents or taxpayers that purchased lots or plots
while they were taxpayers or residents. Family members of those eligible for burial and
veterans also have burial privileges. Family members are limited to a spouse, parents,
grandparents, children and brothers and sisters. There are two exceptions to the resident
requirement. If private facilities are not available within a fifteen-mile radius of a
decedent's residence, a decedent not otherwise eligible for burial within a cemetery of the
district may be interred.
Special burial privileges are offered to veterans. If a decedent is
a member of a veterans association that owns plots in the cemetery, they may be buried in
the cemetery whether or not they are a district resident. The district may contract with the
County for the burial of indigents. The County must pay all costs associated with the
burial.
Information on Sacramento County Cemetery Districts
Sacramento County is served by four independent cemetery districts governed by Boards of Trustees, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, to govern operations of the district.
Two of the districts (Galt-Arno, and Elk Grove-Cosumnes) are located in the southern portion of the County. Their boundaries comprise most of the southern half of the County, exclusive of the Delta. The other two districts (Sylvan and Fair Oaks) are located in the northern portion of the County.
In 1968, the Franklin Cemetery District was annexed to the Elk Grove-Cosumnes Cemetery District.
In 1980, the Fair Oaks Cemetery District annexed areas in the Rancho Cordova, Carmichael, Arden-Arcade and Orangevale communities. At the same time, the Sylvan Cemetery District annexed North Highlands, Rio Linda, Elverta, and other northern area communities. These annexations expanded the service areas for these districts to include the entire northern Sacramento County area.
In 2004, the Florin-Elder Creek Cemetery District was dissolved, and the territory was annexed to the Elk Grove-Cosumnes Cemetery District. The Elder Creek Cemetery District had one cemetery, Eldercreek Cemetery, which is located within the City of Sacramento.
Sacramento County Cemetery Districts
