Newark archdiocese challenges New Jersey law banning headstone sales at archdiocesan cemeteries
July 21, 2015
The Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, has filed a legal challenge to new state legislation that bars the archdiocese from selling headstones at archdiocesan cemeteries.
The New Jersey law was enacted earlier this year, prompted by private sellers of headstones, who complained that the archdiocese was exploiting its non-profit status to drive down prices, corner the market, and put them out of business. The archdiocese, in its legal challenge, characterizes the law as “private economic protectionism.”
The lawsuit challenging the law is being argued by lawyers from the Institute for Justice, a Virginian-based libertarian group. The group reportedly approached the archdiocese, offering to bring the appeal.
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Further information:
- Archdiocese Disputes Ban on It Selling Headstones (New York Times)
- New Jersey law will end cemetery-headstone sales by Newark archdiocese (CWN, 3/24)
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