MassachusettsWayland would require local approval for most green burial sites
Most proposed green burial sites in Wayland would need Select Board permission, following location approval by the town’s Board of Health after a public hearing.
What it does
Wayland’s Select Board could permit green burial sites only after Board of Health approval following a public hearing. Land already used or set aside for these burials and private tombs exclusively for the owner’s family would be exempt.
Argument forA public hearing could let Wayland residents raise concerns about proposed green burial locations before the town grants permission.
Argument againstRequiring approval from two town boards and a public hearing could delay plans for green burial sites that need permission.
More detail
Wayland’s Select Board would be allowed to grant permission to use land for green burials. The requirement would cover land in Wayland that is not already used or set aside for green burials. The town’s Board of Health would first have to approve the location following a public hearing. The permission requirement would not apply to erecting or using a tomb on private land exclusively for the landowner’s family.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 24Read second and ordered to a third readingLatest
- Aug 24Rules suspended
- Aug 24Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
- Jul 29Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and SchedulingMinor
- Jul 22Hearing rescheduled to 07/22/2026 from 10:00 AM-10:25 AM in A-1 Hearing updated to New End Time
- Jul 22Hearing rescheduled to 07/22/2026 from 10:00 AM-10:25 PM in A-1 Hearing updated to New End Time
- Jul 10Hearing scheduled for 07/22/2026 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM in A-1
- Jun 11Senate concurred
- Jun 8Referred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional GovernmentIntroduced
Government & Ethics