Cemeteries Miss Deadline for Filing Reports

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — None of the private, nonprofit perpetual care cemeteries in South Dakota has met a July 31 deadline to file annual financial reports with the state.

The Legislature earlier this year passed a law requiring the reports. The goal is to ensure the cemeteries have enough trust fund money for grave maintenance.

Secretary of State Jason Gant tells the American News (http://bit.ly/15d06Yj ) that he doesn't know how many perpetual care cemeteries there are in the state because he doesn't have a list. He says that if a record existed, his office would have sent out reminder notices before the deadline.

There is no financial penalty for missing the deadline.

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