[HISTORY: Adopted by the Rockland County Legislature 8-2-2011 by L.L. No.
4-2011. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Cemeteries — See Ch. 225.
This chapter shall be known as "The Rockland County Funeral
Privacy Law."
The Rockland County Legislature finds and declares that:
A.
Families and relatives have a substantial interest in organizing
and attending commemorative services for deceased relatives.
B.
The interests of families in privately and peacefully mourning the
loss of deceased relatives are violated when commemorative services
are targeted for picketing and other public demonstrations.
C.
Picketing of commemorative services causes emotional disturbance
and distress to grieving families who participate in commemorative
services.
D.
Full opportunity exists under the terms and provisions of this chapter
for the exercise of freedom of speech and other constitutional rights
at times other than within one hour prior to, during and one hour
following the commemorative services.
As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall
have the meanings given to them in this section:
An event involving the gathering of individuals who assemble:
At a cemetery or other location during the burial, funeral,
ceremony or memorial service of a specific deceased person to mourn
or honor the deceased person or to pay respect to the family of the
deceased person.
In a building during the viewing, visitation, burial, funeral,
ceremony or memorial service of a specific deceased person to mourn
or honor the deceased person or to pay respect to the family of the
deceased person.
To participate in a procession to a cemetery, building or other
location in which a viewing, visitation, burial, funeral, ceremony
or memorial service of a specific deceased person is to be conducted
to mourn or honor the deceased person or to pay respect to the family
of the deceased person.
Any of the following:
Any picketing or similar conduct.
Any oration, speech or use of sound amplification equipment
or device or similar conduct that is not part of a commemorative service.
The display of any placard, sign, banner, flag or similar device,
unless such display or material is part of a commemorative service.
The distribution of any handbill, pamphlet, leaflet or other
written or printed matter, other than a program distributed as part
of a commemorative service.
A person commits a Class A misdemeanor if the person engages
in demonstration activities within 750 feet of any cemetery, mortuary,
church or other location being utilized for the purposes of a commemorative
service within one hour prior to, during and for one hour following
the commemorative service.
This chapter shall apply to all actions occurring on or after
the effective date of this article. This chapter may be enforced by
any law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to act in the County
of Rockland, by either the arrest of or the issuance of a summons
to a party violating the provisions of this chapter and requiring
his/her appearance before a court of competent jurisdiction.
