1. (a) In addition to meeting the requirements of sections 1 through 3 of this chapter, a cemetery that:

   1. (1) is organized after March 6, 1953, and before July 1, 1997, by incorporation, association, individually, or any other means; or

   2. (2) has its first burial after March 6, 1953, and before July 1, 1997;

      shall, before disposing of a burial lot or right, making a sale of a burial lot or right, or making its first burial, cause to be deposited in a financial institution the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) in cash in the perpetual care fund established under this chapter for the maintenance of the cemetery.

2. (b) The cemetery owner shall designate the financial institution as trustee of the fund. The financial institution must execute an affidavit stating that it has accepted the trusteeship of the fund and that the twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) has been deposited in the fund. The cemetery shall:

   1. (1) exhibit the affidavit in the principal office of the cemetery;
   2. (2) keep the affidavit available at all times for examination; and
   3. (3) record the affidavit in the miscellaneous records in the office of the recorder in the county in which the cemetery is located.

3. (c) When the cemetery has deposited in the perpetual care fund, as required by this section, fifty thousand dollars ($50,000):

   1. (1) the cemetery shall submit proof of this fact to its trustee; and
   2. (2) the trustee shall pay over to the cemetery the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) that the cemetery deposited in the fund under subsection (a).

As added by P.L.52-1997, SEC.22. Amended by P.L.66-1999, SEC.3; P.L.3-2008, SEC.168; P.L.33-2019, SEC.4.