What is the primary purpose of a cemetery authority?

The primary purpose of a cemetery authority is to maintain and operate cemeteries. This role involves overseeing the land designated for burial, ensuring it is properly managed, landscaped, and maintained for public use. The cemetery authority is responsible for the care and upkeep of the graves, roads, buildings, and any additional facilities within the cemetery grounds. This includes ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations governing burial practices and maintaining the overall aesthetic and safety of the site.

While providing funeral services or creating memorials may be part of the broader cemetery operations or related services, they are not the core function of a cemetery authority. Also, the oversight of licensing for funeral directors pertains more to regulatory agencies rather than the cemetery authority itself, as this function is distinctly focused on the practice and licensing of individuals involved in direct funeral services. Thus, the correct designation of the cemetery authority highlights its primary responsibility.