Before You Notarize: Cemetery Law Every Louisiana Notary Must Know

Cost: $125
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Location:  Lafayette, LA
Venue: TBD
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00pm with lunch break

Space is limited to 25 so please register early.

Notaries Public are frequently asked to notarize documents involving cemetery spaces, burial rights, interment authority, and family succession—often without realizing that cemetery property is governed by a distinct and highly regulated body of law. Mistakes in this area can result in invalid conveyances, rejected interments, civil liability, and regulatory exposure for both the notary and the cemetery.

This seminar provides a clear, practical, and Louisiana-specific overview of cemetery law as it directly affects notarial practice, with particular emphasis on Title 8 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, authentic acts, successor authority, and the limits of notarial power in cemetery transactions.

Participants will learn how cemetery property differs from ordinary immovable property, why many common notarial assumptions fail in the cemetery context, and how to identify high-risk documents that should not be notarized without additional legal safeguards. Real-world examples drawn from actual cemetery operations, rejected documents, and compliance disputes will be used to illustrate frequent errors and best practices.

Topics Covered

• What a cemetery “right of interment” actually is—and what it is not

• When an authentic act is legally required for cemetery transfers

• Successor authority, affidavits of heirship, and common family disputes

• Limits on notarial authority in burial and cremation matters

• Documents notaries should refuse, flag, or refer

• How cemeteries evaluate notarized documents for acceptance

• Practical strategies to reduce notarial liability in cemetery transactions

This seminar is designed for Louisiana Notaries Public at all experience levels, including those who regularly serve families, funeral homes, attorneys, churches, or cemeteries. Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of their role, clearer boundaries on their authority, and practical guidance to protect themselves while serving the public with confidence and professionalism.

About the Presenter

Deacon Joshua R. LeBlanc is a recognized authority in Louisiana cemetery law and cemetery management, with extensive hands-on experience overseeing cemetery operations, compliance, and interment administration within the state’s unique legal framework.

He serves as Executive Director of Holy Family Cemetery in New Iberia and is the author of The Louisiana Cemetery Handbook, The Louisiana Cemetery Forms Book, and The Notary’s Guide to Louisiana Cemetery Law—widely used resources by cemeteries, notaries, attorneys, funeral directors, and clergy throughout Louisiana.

In addition to his professional work, Deacon LeBlanc is an ordained Catholic Deacon for the Diocese of Lafayette, bringing a pastoral perspective to matters involving death, burial, and family succession. His combined experience in cemetery operations, civil law, and pastoral ministry allows him to address notarial issues involving burial rights with uncommon clarity, sensitivity, and practical insight.

Deacon LeBlanc regularly advises on interment-rights disputes, successor authority issues, compliance failures, and rejected cemetery documents, and his training focuses on helping Notaries Public understand both the limits of notarial authority and the real-world consequences of errors in cemetery transactions.