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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>65840</law_id><section_number>54.1-2328</section_number><catch_line>Requirements of preneed burial contracts</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Professions and Occupations Regulated by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and Boards Within the Department</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="23.1">Cemetery Operators, Perpetual Care Trust Funds and Preneed Burial Contracts</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> It shall be unlawful for any person doing business within the Commonwealth to make, either directly or indirectly by any means, a <span class="dictionary">preneed burial contract</span> unless the contract: <a id="paragraph-239274" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Is made on forms prescribed by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> and is written in clear, understandable language and printed in easy-to-read type, size and style; <a id="paragraph-239275" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Identifies the <span class="dictionary">seller</span>, <span class="dictionary">seller</span>&#x2019;s license number, contract buyer and person for whom the contract is purchased if other than the contract buyer; <a id="paragraph-239276" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Contains a complete description of the property or services purchased; <a id="paragraph-239277" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Clearly discloses whether the price of the property and services purchased is guaranteed; <a id="paragraph-239278" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> States, for funds required to be trusted pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Deposit in preneed trust required upon sale of property or services not to be delivered within 120 days" href="/54.1-2325/">54.1-2325</a>, the amount to be trusted and the name of the trustee; <a id="paragraph-239279" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Contains the name, address and telephone number of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> and lists the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> as the regulatory agency which handles consumer complaints; <a id="paragraph-239280" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Provides that any purchaser who makes payment under the contract may terminate the agreement within three days of execution and that such purchaser shall be refunded all consideration paid or delivered, less amounts paid for any property or supplies that have been delivered; <a id="paragraph-239281" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Provides that if the particular property or services specified in the contract are unavailable at the time of delivery, the <span class="dictionary">seller</span> shall be required to furnish property or services similar in size and style and at least equal in quality of <span class="dictionary">material</span> and workmanship and that the representative of the deceased shall have the right to choose the property or services to be substituted, which shall be at least equal or reasonably equivalent in quality of <span class="dictionary">material</span>, workmanship, and cost; <a id="paragraph-239282" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#A8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A9" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Discloses any additional costs that the purchaser may be required to pay <span class="dictionary">at-need</span>, including disclosure of the cost of opening and closing the <span class="dictionary">grave</span>; <a id="paragraph-239283" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#A9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A10" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> Complies with all disclosure requirements imposed by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>; <a id="paragraph-239284" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#A10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A11" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> Is executed in duplicate and a signed copy given to the buyer; and <a id="paragraph-239285" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#A11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A12" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> Provides that the contract buyer shall have the right to change the contract provider at any time prior to the furnishing of the property or services, excluding any <span class="dictionary">mausoleum crypt</span> or <span class="dictionary">garden crypt</span>, contracted for under the <span class="dictionary">preneed burial contract</span>. If the contract <span class="dictionary">seller</span> will not be furnishing the property and services to the purchaser, the contract <span class="dictionary">seller</span> shall attach to the <span class="dictionary">preneed burial contract</span> a copy of the <span class="dictionary">seller</span>&#x2019;s agreement with the provider. <a id="paragraph-239286" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#A12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">preneed burial contract</span> sold or offered by any <span class="dictionary">cemetery company</span> or agent with a trust fund deposit of less than 100 percent shall be required to include the following printed statement in capitalized letters, in ten-point, bold-faced type:
			THIS <span class="dictionary">PRENEED BURIAL CONTRACT</span> REQUIRES THE PLACEMENT IN TRUST OF A MINIMUM OF 40% OF THE FUNDS INCLUDED IN THIS CONTRACT. THE BALANCE OF FUNDS MAY BE USED FOR CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CEMETERY AND ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE PLACED IN TRUST. <a id="paragraph-239287" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-2328/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1998, cc. 708, 721.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
