Source: https://dahlelawcemeteries.com/religious-discrimination-sale-minnesota-cemetery-lots/
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 06:36:38+00:00

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The sale of individual cemetery lots within a public cemetery will generally be subject to the same anti-discrimination provisions which are otherwise applicable to transactions in real estate – with exceptions for religious discrimination – sale of Minnesota Cemetery Lots, in certain cemeteries.
but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
The sale of individual cemetery lots within a public cemetery will generally be subject to the same anti-discrimination provisions which are otherwise applicable to transactions in real estate – with exceptions for religious discrimination with respect to certain cemeteries.
The sale of individual cemetery lots within a private cemetery may be subject to the same anti-discrimination provisions which are otherwise applicable to transactions in real estate – with exceptions for religious discrimination.
Subdivision 1. Religious faith, creed, race, color.
shall any such written instrument contain any provision of any kind or character discriminating against any class of persons because of their religious faith, creed, race or color.
In every such provision any form of expression or description which is commonly understood as designating or describing a religious faith, creed, race or color shall have the same effect as if its ordinary name were used therein.
Subd. 2. Restriction only is void.
Every provision referred to in subdivision 1 shall be void, but the instrument shall have full force in all other respects and shall be construed as if no such provision were contained therein.
Subd. 3. Words constructively defined.
and the word “provision” embraces all clauses, stipulations, restrictions, covenants, and conditions of the kind or character referred to in subdivision 1.
Erickson v. Sunset Memorial Park Association, Inc.
In 1961, the Minnesota Supreme Court addressed the issue of whether a public cemetery could discriminate on the basis of race with respect to the sale of cemetery lots.
that any racial restrictions imposed by the cemetery association at issue were void, and of no effect.
A deed conveying an interest in a cemetery lot is an instrument ‘relating to or affecting real estate’ within the purview of this particular statute.
Our statutes treat ownership of an interest in a cemetery lot as an interest in real estate.
Even though a purchaser of a cemetery lot may not acquire the fee simple title to the property, he has a right in the lot which the law recognizes and protects.
The right of burial in a private religious or fraternal cemetery derives from membership.
While § 507.18 has application to deeds to cemetery lots executed by a cemetery operating a public burial ground, its provisions do not apply to private cemeteries operated by religious or fraternal corporations.
that it did not intend to overthrow long-established civil rights by including within the provisions of the statute a purpose or object hostile to long-established religious practice.
. . . the legislature has expressed the public policy of this state on the subject of discrimination against any of its citizens because of race, color, or creed.
cemeteries within the purview of the last sentence of § 306.02, which recognizes the right of a public cemetery association affiliated with a religious corporation to acquire properties to be used exclusively for burial of persons of that particular faith.
From time immemorial cemeteries and interment in them have had a close identification with religion.
This identification is natural to religion in civilized cultures.
An essential element of many religious beliefs, strongly held for centuries, has been that their communicants must be buried in consecrated ground in which only communicants of that particular faith may be buried.
The right of burial in a religious or fraternal cemetery derives from membership.
It is for that reason that church cemeteries are classified as private cemeteries in which the exclusive burial of communicants of a religious faith may be practiced in accordance with its beliefs.
We see no conflict between §§ 507.18 and 306.02, as the defendant suggests. . . .
The general terms of a statute are subject to implied exceptions founded on rules of public policy and the maxims of natural justice so as to avoid absurd and unjust consequences.
We are not to assume that the legislature, by enacting § 507.18, which confirms the civil right of equal protection under the law, intended to infringe upon civil rights relating to freedom of religion as provided by U.S.Const. Amend. I and Minn.Const. art. 1, § 16.
It seems to us that § 507.18 by necessary implication excepts private religious and fraternal cemeteries from its application.
This implication is so strong in its probability that the contrary thereof cannot be reasonably supposed.
Moreover, the legislature acted with full knowledge of the scope of its constitutional powers and of prior legislation on the same subject.
We are not to assume that the legislature intended to overthrow long-established civil rights by including within the provisions of § 507.18 a purpose or object hostile to religious practice.
Minnesota private cemeteries are those established by individuals, or by religious corporations – which may be formed pursuant to either M.S. Chapter 315, or M.S. Chapter 317A.
Under the U.S. and Minnesota Constitutions, the burial of persons in Minnesota private cemeteries may be restricted to persons of a certain religious affiliation.
However, the Erickson v. Sunset Memorial Park Association, Inc. decision did not indicate that the prohibition on racial discrimination identified in M.S., Section 507.18 would not be applicable to Minnesota private cemeteries.
Were started or established after 1911 – other than those cemeteries established by religious corporations – which may be formed pursuant to M.S. Chapter 315, or perhaps M.S. Chapter 317A.
may provide for the acquisition of other cemetery properties within the state for the burial of persons of the same religious faith, exclusively.
Under Minnesota law, Minnesota private cemeteries may discriminate on the basis of religion with respect to the sale of cemetery lots, and the internment of persons therein.
Under Minnesota law, Minnesota public cemetery associations may discriminate on the basis of religion with respect to the sale of cemetery lots, and the internment of persons therein, if the association is affiliated with a religious corporation – as identified in its articles of incorporation.
Minnesota public cemetery associations may not discriminate on the basis of race with respect to the sale of cemetery lots, and the internment of persons therein.
While no Minnesota reported court decision has ever determined whether a Minnesota private cemetery may discriminate on the basis of race with respect to the sale of cemetery lots, and the internment of persons therein, absent a compelling religious purpose for doing so, a Minnesota private cemetery may be prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race with respect to the sale of cemetery lots, and the internment of persons therein.
In March of 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice opened an investigation with respect to the denial of an application made to the Chisago County Board of Commissioners by a group of Muslims from the European country of Bosnia to build a Muslim cemetery south of Lindstrom, Minnesota.
The board initially denied the Muslim group’s permit in December, 2016, even though the county’s planning commission had recommended its approval.
However, the board subsequently voted unanimously to approve the cemetery permit, after being warned that the county would face religious discrimination claims under RLUIPA.

References: v. 
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