Legislative & Consumer Affairs
2025-2026 Legislative Update from Massachusetts Cemetery Association Legislative Agent Guy W. Glodis
To the Membership of the Massachusetts Cemetery Association:
The MCA and its legislative committee have gotten off to a strong start to the 2025/26 Massachusetts legislative session. The MCA legislative Committee met in February to discuss various bills and legislation regarding burials and cemeteries here in the Commonwealth. The Committee highlighted over a dozen bills that are relevant to our Association, and I will be tracking and monitoring those bills throughout the legislative process and session (ends July 31, 2026).
In addition, MCA President Alan MacKinnon, MCA Legislative Director Tom Daly and myself had a State House meeting with Representative Natalie Higgins, lead sponsor of HB2444 “An Act Expanding After-Death Care Options”, along with other environmental activists and members of the Massachusetts Funeral Home Association. The MCA made it clear, we would only support legislation ensuring Alkaline Hydrolysis would fall under the jurisdiction of cemeteries in Massachusetts. The Representative agreed to our language and terms of our support, and we are working closely with her office in support of the bill. The MCA will continue to work with sponsors of that bill to ensure MA cemeteries are protected and promoted with any legislation moving forward.
On a related note, Tom Daly and I attended a Hearing sponsored by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on August 5th, 2025. The Notice of Public Hearing was pursuant to a proposed amendment to 505 CMR 4.03, Fee Assessed for Cremation or Burial at Sea Views. This proposed viewing fee would be increased from $200 to $300 here in the Commonwealth of MA. Besides Tom Daly and me leading off the testimony in opposition to the fee increase, there were several people from both cemeteries and funeral homes there to oppose the proposal. The MCA has followed the verbal testimony with written testimony opposing the fee increase.
I will continue tracking, monitoring and attending all State House hearings relevant to cemeteries here in the Commonwealth. In addition, President MacKinnon and I hosted an event for Senate Ways & Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues on July 18th and have been attending numerous meetings and fundraisers for legislators around the Commonwealth. We are currently in the process of nominating an MCA legislator of the year award to be given at next year’s annual MCA meeting in Foxboro.
As always, if anyone has any questions or concerns on the legislative front, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 508-479-4520 or email me at; Guywglodis@gmail.com.
All the best,
Guy W. Glodis
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