TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Fred H. Madden which would amend current law to prohibit a deceased person’s spouse from making funeral arrangements if the deceased had a restraining order against the spouse or the spouse was charged in murdering the person was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee today.
“A funeral can be a difficult time for the deceased’s loved ones, and sometimes, family members make decisions that not everyone agrees with,” said Senator Madden, D-Gloucester and Camden. “However, I think it becomes a complete mockery of the person’s memory if a violent, estranged or accused spouse is given control of the deceased person’s remains. In those instances when foul play is suspected or a restraining order has been issued, the funeral arrangements should be made by other family members.”