New Jersey Lawmakers Proposed Cemetery Protections
New legislation aims to map and preserve neglected burial grounds across New Jersey municipalities.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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In September 2026, Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis introduced the Family and Private Burial Grounds Preservation Act to mandate cemetery identification in municipal planning. The bill seeks to prevent the loss of historical burial sites due to development or neglect.
Why it matters
Lawmakers are pushing these protections to ensure burial grounds are not lost to history after past instances of improper site redevelopment. The initiative aims to provide a formal, statewide framework for identifying and mapping these sensitive properties.
The proposed Family and Private Burial Grounds Preservation Act would formalize protections for sites like the Aumack Family Burying Ground, which measures 90 by 100 feet. Records indicate historical burial sites include the Johnson Cemetery, where at least 264 individuals—including 107 Black military veterans—were interred.
The players
Mitchelle Drulis
She is a New Jersey Assemblywoman who introduced the Family and Private Burial Grounds Preservation Act in September 2026.
Preservation New Jersey
This organization advocates for the protection of historical sites and launched a statewide campaign to support the new cemetery legislation.
The details
The legislation requires that abandoned cemeteries be integrated into local land-use planning to restrict development. This follows recent actions, such as the Hazlet Land Use Board denying a subdivision in February 2025 over concerns about disturbing burial remains, and historical efforts in Bergen County to acquire and protect the Gethsemane Cemetery.
Timeline
1852: A deed reserved the Aumack property for burial use.
1854: Johnson Cemetery was established.
1860: Gethsemane Cemetery was established.
September 2026: Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis introduced the bill.
October 8, 2026: Preservation New Jersey announced a statewide campaign.
Political Context
Opponents of increased state-mandated planning requirements often raise concerns regarding local control and potential restrictions on private property development. Balancing the protection of historical sites with the rights of landowners remains a core point of contention in New Jersey land-use policy.
Property owners and developers in New Jersey may face stricter land-use requirements and planning delays if their land includes or sits near historically significant burial sites. Residents can expect increased municipal oversight and public disclosure regarding burial locations during the property development process.
The takeaway
Preserving historical burial sites ensures that veterans and families are honored despite the pressures of modern development. Communities can better protect their local history by identifying and documenting unmarked or abandoned burial grounds before land-use decisions are finalized.
Further reading
Learn more about ongoing state initiatives at Legislative Policy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News 12 - New Jersey.
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