Chapter 90 - Article 13E

Article 13E.

Mutual Burial Associations.

§ 90-210.80. Duties of Board; meetings.

It shall be the duty of the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service to supervise, pursuant to this Article, all burial associations authorized by this Article to operate in North Carolina, to determine that such associations are operated in conformity with this Article and the rules adopted pursuant to this Article; to prosecute violations of this Article or rules adopted pursuant thereto; and to protect the interest of members of mutual burial associations.

The North Carolina Board of Funeral Service, after a public hearing, may promulgate reasonable rules and regulations for the enforcement of this Article and in order to carry out the intent thereof. The Board is authorized and directed to adopt specific rules to provide for the orderly transfer of a member's benefits in cash or merchandise and services from the funeral director sponsoring the member's association to the funeral establishment which furnishes a funeral service, or merchandise, or both, for the burial of the member, provided that any funeral establishment to which the member's benefits are transferred in accordance with such rules shall, if located in North Carolina, be a funeral establishment registered and permitted under the provisions of G.S. 90-210.25 or shall, if located in any other state, territory or foreign country, be a funeral establishment recognized by and operating in conformity with the laws of such other state, territory or foreign country. One or more burial associations operating in North Carolina may merge into another burial association operating in North Carolina and two or more burial associations operating in North Carolina may consolidate into a new burial association provided that any such plan of merger or plan of consolidation shall be adopted and carried out in accordance with rules adopted by the Board pursuant to this Article.

All rules heretofore adopted by the North Carolina Mutual Burial Association Commission or the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service in accordance with prior law and which have not been amended, rescinded, revoked or otherwise changed, or which have not been nullified or made inoperative or unenforceable because of any statute enacted after the adoption of any such rule, shall remain in full force and effect until amended, rescinded, revoked or otherwise changed by action of the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service as set out above, or until nullified or made inoperative or unenforceable because of statutory enactment or court decision.

Members of the Board shall receive, when attending such regular or special meetings such per diem, expense allowance and travel allowance as are allowed other commissions and boards of the State. The legal adviser to the Board shall be entitled to actual expenses when attending regular or special meetings of the Board held other than in Raleigh. All expenses of the Board shall be paid from funds coming to the Board pursuant to this Article or appropriated for this purpose. (1967, c. 1197, s. 2; 1971, c. 1151; 1973, c. 1147, s. 1; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1997-313, ss. 3, 5; 1999-425, s. 1; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.81. Requirements as to rules and bylaws.

All burial associations now operating within the State of North Carolina shall have and maintain rules and bylaws embodying the following:

Article 1. The name of this association shall be ______, which shall indicate that said association is a mutual burial association.

Article 2. The objects and purposes for which this association is formed and the purposes for which it has been organized, and the methods and plan of operation of this association shall be to provide a plan for each member of this association for the payment of one funeral benefit for each member, which shall consist of a funeral benefit in cash or merchandise and service, with no free embalming or free ambulance service included in this benefit. No other free service or any other thing free shall be held out, promised or furnished, in any case. Such funeral benefit shall be in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) of cash or merchandise and service, without free embalming or free ambulance service, for persons of the age of 10 years and over, or in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00) for persons under the age of 10 years; provided, however, that any member of this association of the age of 10 years or more may purchase a double benefit (for a total benefit of two hundred dollars ($200.00)), and provided further, however, that any member of this association under the age of 10 years may purchase a double benefit (for a total benefit of one hundred dollars ($100.00)) or a quadruple benefit (for a total benefit of two hundred dollars ($200.00)); however, any additional benefit (as set out herein) shall be based on the assessment rate, as provided in Article 6 of this section, at the attained age of applicant at the time the additional benefit takes effect. The purchase of an additional benefit shall not be available to any member who cannot fulfill the requirements as set forth in Article 3 of this section.

Provided, further, that mutual burial associations organized and operating pursuant to this Article may offer for sale to its members in good standing, funeral benefits payable only in cash in excess of two hundred dollars ($200.00), but those sales shall be subject to all applicable insurance laws of this State and shall in no manner be subject to the provisions of this Article or impair whatsoever funds heretofore or hereafter collected and held by that Association pursuant to this Article. All mutual burial association policies heretofore or hereafter sold in this State in an amount of two hundred dollars ($200.00) or less shall continue to be administered by the Board of Funeral Service and shall be subject to all provisions of this Article.

Article 3. Any person who has passed his or her first birthday, and who has not passed his or her sixty-fifth birthday, and who is in good health and not under treatment of any physician, nor confined in any institution for the treatment of mental or other disease, may become a member of this burial association by the payment by such person, or for such person, of a membership fee in accordance with the provisions of this Article and the first assessment due on the membership issued for such member in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 herein. The membership fee for any person joining prior to July 1, 1975, is twenty-five cents (25¢). The membership fee of any person joining after July 1, 1975, is twenty-five cents (25¢) for each one hundred dollars ($100.00) of benefits provided in such membership, with a minimum membership fee of twenty-five cents (25¢). The payment of the membership fee, without the payment of the first quarterly assessment due on the membership, shall not authorize the issuance of a certificate of membership in this burial association, and a certificate of membership for such person shall not be issued until the first such assessment is paid. Any member of this association joining after July 1, 1975, and who shall thereafter purchase an increased benefit shall pay an additional membership fee in accordance with this Article so that the total membership fee paid by such person shall equal twenty-five [cents] (25¢) for each one hundred dollars ($100.00) of benefits in such member's membership; provided, that any member with a fifty-dollar ($50.00) benefit who increases his benefit from fifty dollars ($50.00) to one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall not be required to pay any additional membership fee. The payment of any additional membership fee, without the payment of the first additional assessment due for the increased benefit, shall not make such member eligible for any additional benefit, and such member shall not be eligible for any additional benefit until the first such additional assessment due for such additional benefit is paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of the last paragraph of Article 6, hereinafter set out, shall control the increase of benefits from fifty dollars ($50.00) to one hundred dollars ($100.00) for any member of this association joining under the age of 10 whose benefits in force upon such member attaining his or her tenth birthday are in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00).

Applicant's birthday must be written in the application and subject to verification by any record the Board of Funeral Service may deem necessary to prove or establish a true date of the birth of any applicant.

Article 4. The annual meeting of the association shall be held at ____ (here insert the place, date and hour); each member shall have one vote at said annual meeting and 15 members of the association shall constitute a quorum. There shall be elected at the annual meeting of said association a board of directors of seven members, each of whom shall serve for a period of from one to five years as the membership may determine and until his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified. Any member of the board of directors who shall fail to maintain his or her membership, as provided in the rules and bylaws of said association, shall cease to be a member of the board of directors and a director shall be appointed by the president of said association for the unexpired term of such disqualified member. There shall be at least an annual meeting of the board of directors, and such meeting shall be held immediately following the annual meeting of the membership of the association. The directors of the association may, by a majority vote, hold other meetings of which notice shall be given to each member by mailing such notice five days before the meeting to be held. At the annual meetings of the directors of the association, the board of directors shall elect a president, a vice-president, and a secretary-treasurer. The president and vice-president shall be elected from among the directors, but the secretary-treasurer may be selected from the director membership or from the membership of the association, it being provided that it is not necessary that the secretary-treasurer shall be a member of the board of directors. Among other duties that the secretary-treasurer may perform, he shall be chargeable with keeping an accurate and faithful roll of the membership of this association at all times and he shall be chargeable with the duty of faithfully preserving and faithfully applying all moneys coming into his hands by virtue of his said office. The president, vice-president and secretary-treasurer shall constitute a board of control who shall direct the affairs of the association in accordance with these Articles and bylaws of the association, and subject to such modification as may be made or authorized by an act of the General Assembly. The secretary-treasurer shall keep a record of all assessments made, dues collected and benefits paid. The books of the association, together with all records and bank accounts shall be at all times open to the inspection of the Board of Funeral Service or its duly constituted auditors or representatives. It shall be the duty of the secretary or secretary-treasurer of each association to keep the books of the association posted up-to-date so that the financial standing of the association may be readily ascertained by the Board of Funeral Service or any auditor or representative employed by it. Upon the failure of any secretary or secretary-treasurer to comply with this provision, it shall be the duty of the Board of Funeral Service to take charge of the books of the association and do whatever work is necessary to bring the books up-to-date. The actual costs of said work may be charged the burial association and shall be paid from the thirty percent (30%) allowed by law for the operation of the burial association.

Whenever in the opinion of the Board of Funeral Service, it is necessary to audit the books of any burial association more than once in any calendar year, the Board of Funeral Service shall have authority to assess such burial association the actual cost of any audit in excess of one per calendar year, provided that no more than one audit may be deemed necessary unless a discrepancy exists at the last regular audit. Such cost shall be paid from the thirty percent (30%) allowed by law for the operation of the burial association.

Every burial association shall file with the Board of Funeral Service an annual report of its financial condition on a form furnished to it by the Board of Funeral Service. Such report shall be filed on or before February 15 of each calendar year and shall cover the complete financial condition of the burial association for the immediate preceding calendar year. The Board of Funeral Service shall levy and collect a penalty of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each day after February 15 that the report called for herein is not filed. The Board may, in its discretion, grant any reasonable extension of the above filing date without the penalty provided in this section. Such penalty shall be paid from the thirty percent (30%) allowed by law for the operation of the burial association. Any secretary or secretary-treasurer who fails to file such financial report on or before February 15 of each calendar year or on or before the last day of any period of extension for the filing of such report granted by the Board to the burial association of such secretary or secretary-treasurer shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Each day after February 15, or the last day of any period of extension for the filing of the report granted by the Board to the burial association of such secretary or secretary-treasurer, that said report is not filed by the secretary or secretary-treasurer of a burial association, shall constitute a separate offense.

Article 5. Upon the death of any officer, his successor shall be elected by the board of directors for the unexpired term. The president, vice-president and secretary-treasurer shall be elected for a term of from one to five years, and shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified, subject to the power of the board of directors to remove any officer for good cause shown; provided, that any officer removed by the board of directors shall have the right of appeal to the membership of the association, such appeal to be heard at the next ensuing annual meeting of said membership.

Article 6. Each member shall be assessed according to the following schedule for the benefit indicated (or in multiples thereof for additional benefit) at the age of entry of the member.

Assessment Rate for Age Groups:

First to tenth birthday

($50.00) benefit five cents (5¢)

Tenth to thirtieth birthday

($100.00) benefit ten cents (10¢)

Thirtieth to fiftieth birthday

($100.00) benefit twenty cents (20¢)

Fiftieth to sixty-fifth birthday

($100.00) benefit thirty cents (30¢)

(Ages shall be defined as having passed a certain birthday instead of nearest birthday.) Assessment shall always be made on the entire membership in good standing.

Any member joining under the age of 10 shall, upon attaining his or her tenth birthday, pay thereafter the assessment for a member age 10 as set out above.

Any member joining under the age of 10 whose benefits in force upon such member attaining his or her tenth birthday are in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall, if such member is in good standing upon attaining his or her tenth birthday, thereafter have benefits in force in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) without the necessity of making application for such increased benefit. Assessments made thereafter for such member shall be the same as an assessment for a member age 10 as set out above. Such one-hundred-dollar ($100.00) benefit shall be in full force and effect for any such member in good standing immediately upon such member attaining his or her tenth birthday even though the increased assessment provided for herein shall not yet be due and payable, it being the intent of this Article that, notwithstanding any other provisions in these Articles, any member in good standing with a fifty-dollar ($50.00) benefit shall immediately upon attainment of his or her tenth birthday have a one-hundred-dollar ($100.00) benefit in force whether or not the increased assessment is then due and payable by such member in accordance with the assessment period of this association.

Article 7. No benefit will be paid for natural death occurring within 30 days from the date of the certificate of membership, which certificate shall express the true date such person becomes a member of this association, and the certificate issued shall be in acknowledgment of membership in this association. Benefits will be paid for death caused by accidental means occurring any time after date of membership certificate. No benefits will be paid in case of suicidal death of any member within one year from the date of the membership certificate. No agent or other person shall have authority to issue membership certificates in the field, but such membership certificates shall be issued at the home office of the association by duly authorized officers: the president, vice-president or secretary, and a record thereof duly made.

Article 8. Any member failing to pay any assessment within 30 days after notice shall be in bad standing, and unless and until restored, shall not be entitled to benefits. Notice shall be presumed duly given when mailed, postage paid, to the last known address of such members: Provided, moreover, that notice to the head of a family shall be construed as notice to the entire membership of such family in said association. Any member or head of a family changing his or her address shall give notice to the secretary-treasurer in writing of such change, giving the old address as well as the new, and the head of a family notifying the secretary-treasurer of change in address shall list with the secretary in such notice all the members of his or her family having membership in said association. Any member in bad standing may, within 90 days after the date of an assessment notice, be reinstated to good standing by the payment of all delinquent dues and assessments: Provided such person shall at the same time submit to the secretary-treasurer satisfactory evidence of good health, in writing, and no benefit will be paid for natural death occurring within 30 days after reinstatement. In case of death caused by accidental means, benefit will be in force immediately after reinstatement. Any person desiring to discontinue his membership for any reason shall communicate such desire to the secretary-treasurer immediately and surrender his or her certificate of membership. Any adult member who is the head of a family and who, with his family, has become in bad standing, shall furnish to the secretary-treasurer satisfactory evidence of the good health of each member desired to be reinstated in writing.

Article 9. The benefits herein provided are for the purpose of furnishing a funeral and burial benefit, in cash or merchandise and service, for a deceased member. The funeral and burial benefit, if furnished in merchandise and service, shall be in keeping with and similar to the merchandise and service sold and furnished at the same price by reputable funeral directors of this or other like communities.

Article 10. It is understood and stipulated that the benefits provided for shall be payable only to a funeral establishment which provides a funeral service for a deceased member and which, if located in North Carolina, is a funeral establishment registered under the provisions of G.S. 90-210.25 or which, if located in any other state, territory or foreign country, is a funeral establishment recognized by and operating in conformity with the laws of such other state, territory or foreign country. Upon the death of any member, it shall be the duty of the person or persons making the funeral arrangements for such deceased member to notify the secretary of the member's burial association of the death of such member. The person or persons making the funeral arrangements for such deceased member shall have 30 days from the date of the death of such member in which to make demand upon the burial association for the funeral benefits to which such member is entitled.

The benefits provided for are to be paid by the burial association to the funeral director providing such funeral and burial service either in cash or in merchandise and service as elected by the person or persons making the funeral arrangements for such deceased member. If the burial association shall fail, on demand, to provide the benefits to which the deceased member was entitled to the funeral establishment which provided the funeral service for the deceased member, then the benefits shall be paid in cash to the representative of the deceased member qualified under law to receive such benefits.

Article 11. Assessments shall be made as provided in G.S. 90-210.96. Whenever possible, assessments will be made at definitely stated intervals so as to reduce the cost of collection and to prevent lapse.

Article 12. In the event the proceeds of the annual assessments imposed on the entire membership for one year, as provided in G.S. 90-210.96, do not prove sufficient at any time to yield the benefit provided for in these bylaws, then the secretary-treasurer shall notify the Board of Funeral Service who shall be authorized, unless the membership is increased to that point where such assessments are sufficient, to cause liquidation of said association, and may transfer all members in good standing to a like organization or association.

Article 13. (a) All legitimate operating expenses of the association shall be paid out of the assessments, but in no case shall the entire expenses exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total of the assessments collected and the investment income of the burial association in one calendar year.

(b) Each burial association shall establish and maintain a reserve account for the payment of member's benefits. On the thirty-first day of December following July 1, 1975, each burial association shall transfer to such burial association's reserve account established in accordance with this Article all funds which such burial association is maintaining on that date in an account designated by such burial association as either a surplus account or a reserve account. Thereafter, beginning on January 1, 1976, each burial association shall place in such reserve account five percent (5%) of the assessments collected from and after that date and five percent (5%) of the investment income of the association earned from and after that date. These sums shall continue to be placed in the association's reserve account until the association's reserve account shall equal twenty-one dollars ($21.00) per member. Thereafter if the reserve account shall fall below twenty-one dollars ($21.00) per member, such sums shall again be deposited in the account until such time as the reserve account shall again be equal to twenty-one dollars ($21.00) per member. If the reserve account shall at any time exceed twenty-one dollars ($21.00) per member, amounts in excess of twenty-one dollars ($21.00) per member may be withdrawn from the reserve account.

Article 14. Special meetings of the association membership may be called by the secretary-treasurer when by him deemed necessary or advisable, and he shall call a meeting when petitioned to do so by sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the members of said association who are in good standing.

Article 15. The secretary-treasurer shall, upon satisfactory evidence that membership was granted to any person not qualified at the time of entry as provided under Article 3 of these bylaws, refund any amounts paid as assessment, and shall remove the name from the membership roll.

Article 16. Any member may pay any number of assessments in advance, in which case such member will not be further assessed until a like number of assessments shall have been levied against the remaining membership.

Article 17. No person may maintain active membership in two or more separate burial associations. Any person who is found to have membership in two or more separate burial associations shall forfeit all benefits and fees paid in all associations of which he is a member except in the association which he first joined and of which he is still then a member. A person is not a member of an association for purposes of this Article if he has discontinued his membership in such association or if such association has been placed in liquidation.

Article 18. Each year, before the annual meeting of the membership of this association, the association shall cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which such association has its principal place of business, or shall cause to be mailed to each member in good standing a statement showing total income collected, expenses paid and burial benefits provided for by such association during the next preceding year.

Article 19. These rules and bylaws shall not be modified, canceled or abridged by any association or other authority except by act of the General Assembly of North Carolina. (1941, c. 130, s. 4; 1943, c. 272, ss. 1, 2; 1945, c. 125, s. 1; 1947, c. 100, s. 1; 1949, c. 201, ss. 1, 2; 1953, c. 1201; 1955, c. 259, ss. 3, 4; 1967, c. 1197, s. 4; 1969, c. 1041, ss. 2, 3; 1973, c. 688; 1975, c. 837; 1977, c. 748, ss. 1, 2, 6; 1981, c. 989, s. 4; 1987, c. 864, ss. 12, 50; 1991, c. 62, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1007, s. 39; 1993, c. 539, s. 1042; c. 553, ss. 48, 49; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1997-313, ss. 4-6; 1999-425, s. 2; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.82. Limitation of soliciting agents; licensing and qualifications; officers exempt from license; issuance of membership certificates.

Each burial association shall have for each funeral home sponsoring the said burial association not more than five agents or representatives soliciting members other than the secretary-treasurer and president, and before any agent or representative shall or may represent any burial association in North Carolina, he or she shall first apply to the Board of Funeral Service for a license, and the Board of Funeral Service shall have full power and authority to issue such license upon proof satisfactory to such Board that such person is capable of soliciting burial association memberships, is of good moral character and recommended by the association in behalf of which such membership solicitations are to be made. The Board of Funeral Service may reject the application of any person who does not meet the requirements as to capacity and moral fitness. The Board of Funeral Service may, upon proof satisfactory to it that said licensed agent has violated any section of this law, revoke said license. Upon the issuing of a license to solicit membership in any burial association, such person shall be required to pay in cash, at the time of issuing license to such applicant, to the Board of Funeral Service, the sum of five dollars ($5.00); moneys derived from this fee or charge, are to be and remain in the department or office of such Board of Funeral Service, for supervision of burial associations in this State, subject to withdrawal for expenses of supervision by authority of the Board of Funeral Service. It shall not be necessary that the president or secretary-treasurer of any burial association obtain a license for soliciting membership in the association of which such person is president or secretary-treasurer. Membership certificates shall not be issued by a solicitor in the field, but shall be reported to the office of the association and there issued and a record made of such issuance at the time such certificate is so issued. (1941, c. 130, s. 5; 1945, c. 125, s. 2; 1947, c. 100, s. 2; 1949, c. 201, s. 3; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1997-313, ss. 5, 6, 7; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.83. Assessments against associations.

In order to meet the expenses of the supervision of the burial associations, the Board of Funeral Service shall prepare an annual budget for the office of the Board of Funeral Service. Thereafter, the Board of Funeral Service shall assess each burial association one hundred dollars ($100.00) and shall prorate the remaining amount of this budget, over and above any other funds made available to it for this purpose, and assess each association on a pro rata basis in accordance with the number of members of each association. Each burial association shall remit to the Board of Funeral Service its pro rata part of the total assessment, which expense shall be included in the thirty per centum (30%) expense allowance as provided in G.S. 90-210.81. This assessment shall be made on the first day of July of each and every year and said assessment shall be paid within 30 days thereafter. If any association shall fail or refuse to pay such assessment within 30 days, the Board of Funeral Service is authorized to transfer all memberships and assets of every kind and description to the nearest association that is found by the Board of Funeral Service to be in good sound financial condition. (1941, c. 130, s. 6; 1943, c. 272, s. 3; 1945, c. 125, s. 3; 1947, c. 100, s. 3; 1949, c. 201, s. 4; 1951, c. 901, s. 1; 1955, c. 259, ss. 1, 2; 1967, c. 985, s. 1; 1969, c. 1006, s. 2; 1973, c. 1476, s. 1; 1975, c. 837; 1977, c. 748, s. 3; 1981, c. 989, s. 6; 1983, c. 717, s. 12; 1987, c. 864, ss. 12, 14; 1997-313, ss. 5, 6, 7; 2003-420, ss. 16, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.84. Unlawful to operate without written authority of Board.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, association or organization to organize, operate, or in any way solicit members for a burial association, or for participation in any plan, scheme, or device similar to burial associations, without the written authority of the Board of Funeral Service, and any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor; provided, however, the Board of Funeral Service shall not withhold authority for the organization or operation of a bona fide burial association, meeting the requirements of this Article, unless it shall be found and established to the satisfaction of the Board of Funeral Service that the person or persons applying for authority to organize and operate such bona fide burial association is disqualified or does not meet the requirements of this Article. (1941, c. 130, s. 7; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1993, c. 539, s. 1043; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.85. Revocation of license.

In the event it is proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Funeral Service that any burial association is being operated not in conformity with any provision of this Article, then it shall become the duty of the Board of Funeral Service upon hearing to revoke the license of said burial association and transfer said burial association, its membership and all its assets of every kind and description to another burial association that is found by the Board of Funeral Service to be in good sound financial condition; provided, that if said burial association gives notice of appeal as provided for in G.S. 90-210.94, then said burial association may continue to operate as before the revocation and until final adjudication. (1945, c. 125, s. 4; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, ss. 12, 15; 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.86. Deposit or investment of funds of mutual burial associations.

Funds belonging to each mutual burial association over and above the amount determined by the Board of Funeral Service to be necessary for operating capital shall be invested in:

(1) Deposits in any federally insured depository institution or any trust institution authorized to do business in this State.

(2) Obligations of the United States of America.

(3) Obligations of any agency or instrumentality of the United States of America if the payment of interest and principal of the obligations is fully guaranteed by the United States of America.

(4) Obligations of the State of North Carolina.

(5) Bonds and notes of any North Carolina local government or public authority, subject to restrictions as the Board of Funeral Service may impose.

(6) Shares of or deposits in any savings and loan association organized under the laws of this State and shares of or deposits in any federal savings and loan association having its principal office in this State, provided that the savings and loan association is insured by the United States of America or any agency thereof or by any mutual deposit guaranty association authorized by the Commissioner of Insurance of North Carolina to do business in North Carolina pursuant to Article 7A of Chapter 54 of the General Statutes.

(7) Obligations of the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Federal Home Loan Banks, Fannie Mae, the Banks for Cooperatives, and the Federal Land Banks, maturing no later than 18 months after the date of purchase.

Violation of the provisions of this section shall, after hearing, be cause for revocation or suspension of license to operate a mutual burial association. (1957, c. 820, s. 1; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1997-313, s. 5; 2001-487, s. 14(l); 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b); 2017-25, s. 1(i).)

§ 90-210.87. Unclaimed funds of defunct burial association.

All unclaimed funds of any burial association that is no longer in operation shall be disposed of in accordance with Chapter 116B. (1969, c. 1083; 1975, c. 837; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1311, s. 7; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 2003-420, s. 17(b).)

§ 90-210.88. Penalty for failure to operate in substantial compliance with bylaws.

If any burial association or other organization or official thereof, or any person operates or allows to be operated a burial association on any plan, scheme or bylaws not in substantial compliance with the bylaws set forth in G.S. 90-210.81, the Board of Funeral Service may revoke any authority or license granted for the operation of such burial association, and any person, firm or corporation or association convicted of the violation of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1941, c. 130, s. 8; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, ss. 12, 16; 1993, c. 539, s. 1044; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.89. Penalty for wrongfully inducing person to change membership.

Any burial association official, agent or representative thereof or any person who shall use fraud or make any promise not part of the printed bylaws, or who shall offer any rebate, gratuity or refund to cause a member of one association to change membership to another association, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1941, c. 130, s. 9; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1993, c. 539, s. 1045; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2003-420, s. 17(b).)

§ 90-210.90. Penalty for making false and fraudulent entries.

Any person or burial association official who makes or allows to be made any false entry on the books of the association with intent to deceive or defraud any member thereof, or with intent to conceal from the Board of Funeral Service or its deputy or agent, or any auditor authorized to examine the books of such association, under the supervision of the Board of Funeral Service, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1941, c. 130, s. 10; 1945, c. 125, s. 5; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1993, c. 539, s. 1046; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1997-313, ss. 5, 6; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.91. Accepting applications without collecting fee and first assessment.

Any burial association official, agent or representative, or any other person who shall accept any application for membership in any association without collecting the membership fee and first assessment due thereon from any such person making such an application for membership, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Any burial association official, agent or representative, or any other person who shall accept an application for an additional benefit from a member of a burial association without collecting the additional membership fee and the additional assessment due thereon from any such person making such an application for an additional benefit shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1941, c. 130, s. 11; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1993, c. 539, s. 1047; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2003-420, s. 17(b).)

§ 90-210.92. Removal of secretary-treasurer for failure to maintain proper records.

Any burial association secretary-treasurer who fails to maintain records to the minimum standards required by the Board of Funeral Service shall be by such Board removed from office and another elected in his stead, such election to be immediate and by the board of directors of said burial association upon notice of such removal. (1941, c. 130, s. 12; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.93. Free services; failure to make proper assessments, etc., made a misdemeanor.

Any person or persons who offer free funeral services or free embalming, free ambulance service or any other thing free of charge, acting for any burial association, directly or indirectly, or who so acting shall in any way fail to assess for the amount needed to pay death losses and allowable expenses, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1941, c. 130, s. 13; 1967, c. 1197, s. 5; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1993, c. 539, s. 1048; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.94. Right of appeal upon revocation or suspension of license.

Upon the revocation or suspension of any license or authority by the Board of Funeral Service, under any of the provisions of this Article, the said association or individual whose license or authority has been revoked or suspended shall have the right of appeal from the action of the Board of Funeral Service in revoking or suspending such license or authority to the Superior Court of Wake County or to the superior court of the county in which the said association or the said individual is domiciled or, upon agreement of the parties to the appeal, to any other superior court of the State. The association or individual appealing from the order of the Board of Funeral Service shall give notice of appeal in writing to the Board of Funeral Service, with a copy of such notice to the clerk of the superior court to which the appeal is taken, within 10 days of the date of notice of the order revoking or suspending the said license or authority and shall pay such appeal fees to the clerk of superior court as are required by law. Within 30 days after receipt of the notice of appeal, the Board of Funeral Service shall file with the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the appeal is to be heard the decision of the Board of Funeral Service. Upon receipt of such decision, the clerk of superior court shall place the matter upon the civil issue docket of the superior court and the same shall be heard de novo. Pending such appeal, the burial association or individual whose license or authority has been suspended or revoked shall continue to operate or function as before the revocation or suspension and until final adjudication by the superior court. (1941, c. 130, s. 14; 1943, c. 272, s. 4; 1957, c. 820, s. 3; 1973, c. 108, s. 20; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.95. Bond of secretary or secretary-treasurer of burial associations.

The secretary or secretary-treasurer of each burial association shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, and for the faithful performance thereof, execute a bond payable to the Board of Funeral Service as trustee for the burial association in some bonding company licensed to do business in this State, to be approved by the Board of Funeral Service. Said bond shall be in an amount not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), in the discretion of the Board, for those associations whose assets, as determined by the Board's audit, are ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or less. For those associations whose assets, as determined by the Board's audit, are in excess of ten thousand dollars ($10,000), said bond shall be in an amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) plus twenty-five per centum (25%) of all assets over ten thousand dollars ($10,000); provided, however, that the bond required by this section shall not in any event exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). If any association operates a branch or subsidiary and the officers of both associations are the same, for purposes of this section, it shall be treated as one association. Any burial association, with the consent of the Board of Funeral Service, may give a bond secured by a deed of trust on real estate situated in North Carolina, in lieu of procuring said bond from a bonding company. The bond thus given shall not be acceptable in excess of the ad valorem tax value for the current year of the real estate securing said bond. The deed of trust shall be recorded in the county or counties wherein the land lies and shall be deposited with the Board of Funeral Service, name the Board as trustee for the burial association and must constitute a first lien on the property secured by the deed of trust. Said deed of trust shall contain a description of the encumbered property by metes and bounds together with evidence by title insurance policy or by certificate of an attorney-at-law, certifying that said trustor is the owner of a marketable fee simple title to such lands. (1941, c. 130, s. 15; 1943, c. 272, s. 5; 1967, c. 985, s. 2; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.96. Assessments.

Every burial association now or hereinafter organized shall make 12 assessments, or their equivalent, per year per member. The Board of Funeral Service shall order any association to make more than 12 assessments per year when, after notice and hearing, it shall appear to the Board of Funeral Service that the death loss of any association so requires in order to protect the interest of the members. (1943, c. 272, s. 6; 1969, c. 1041, s. 1; 1971, c. 650; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.97. Making false or fraudulent statement a misdemeanor.

Any officer or employee of any burial association authorized to do business under this Article, who shall knowingly or willfully make any false or fraudulent statement or representation in or with reference to any application for membership or for the purpose of obtaining money or any benefit from any burial association transacting business under this Article, or who shall make any false financial statement to the Board of Funeral Service or to the membership of the burial association of which such person is an officer or employee shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1943, c. 272, s. 6; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1993, c. 539, s. 1049; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.98. Statewide organization of associations.

It shall be lawful for the several mutual burial associations of the State of North Carolina, in good standing, to organize and provide for a statewide organization of mutual burial associations, which organization shall be for the mutual and general suggestive control of mutual burial associations in the State of North Carolina. Such organization shall be known as the North Carolina Burial Association, Incorporated, and shall be composed of members who are lawfully operating burial associations in this State and who pay their dues to such association. (1941, c. 130, s. 16; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 2003-420, s. 17(b).)

§ 90-210.99. Article deemed exclusive authority for organization, etc., of mutual burial associations.

This Article shall be deemed and held exclusive authority for the organization and operation of mutual burial associations within the State of North Carolina, and such associations shall not be subject to any other laws respecting insurance companies of any class. (1941, c. 130, s. 17; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 2003-420, s. 17(b).)

§ 90-210.100. Operation of association in violation of law prohibited.

No person, firm or corporation shall operate as a burial association in this State unless incorporated under the laws of the State of North Carolina and unless such association shall be operated in compliance with all the provisions of this Article, and unless such association shall be licensed and approved by the Board of Funeral Service. (1941, c. 130, s. 18; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.101. Member of Armed Forces failing to pay assessments; reinstatement.

If a member of a burial association who is in the Armed Forces of the United States fails to pay any assessment, the member shall be in bad standing, and unless and until restored, shall not be entitled to benefits. However, the member shall be reinstated in the burial association upon application made by the member at any time until 12 months after the member's discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States, notwithstanding the member's physical condition and without the payment of assessments which have become due during the member's service in the Armed Forces of the United States. Benefits will be in force immediately after such reinstatement. (1943, c. 732, s. 2; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 2003-420, s. 17(b); 2011-183, s. 64.)

§ 90-210.102. Hearing by Board of dispute over liability for funeral benefits; appeal.

In case of a disagreement between the representative of a deceased member of any burial association and such deceased member's burial association a hearing may be held by the Board of Funeral Service, on request of either party, to determine whether the association is liable for the benefits set forth in the policy issued to the said deceased member of said burial association. The Board of Funeral Service shall render a decision which shall have the same force and effect as judgments rendered by courts of competent jurisdiction in North Carolina. Either party may appeal from the decision of the Board of Funeral Service. Appeal shall be to the district court division of the General Court of Justice in the county in which the burial association is located. The procedure for appeal shall be the same as the appeal procedure set forth in Article 19 of Chapter 7A of the General Statutes of North Carolina regulating appeals from the magistrate to the district court. (1947, c. 100, s. 5; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b); 2007-531, s. 16.)

§ 90-210.103. Board authorized to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths and compel attendance at hearings.

For the purpose of holding hearings the Board of Funeral Service shall have power to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and compel attendance of witnesses and parties. (1957, c. 820, s. 2; 1975, c. 837; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.104. Authority of Board to examine financial records.

The Board of Funeral Service shall have authority to examine all records relating to a burial association's financial condition wherever such records are located, including records maintained by any corporation, building and loan association, savings and loan association, credit union, or other legal entity organized and operating pursuant to the authority contained in Chapters 53 and 54 of the General Statutes. (1977, c. 748, s. 4; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.105. Board authorized to freeze certain funds of Association.

Whenever in the opinion of the Board of Funeral Service it deems it necessary for the protection of the interest of members of a burial association, it shall have authority by written order to direct that the funds of any burial association on deposit in any institution organized and operating under Chapters 53 and 54 of the General Statutes be frozen and not paid out by such legal entity. Any legal entity freezing the funds of a burial association pursuant to the directive of the Board of Funeral Service shall not be liable to any burial association for freezing said account pursuant to the order of the Board. (1977, c. 748, s. 5; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1997-313, ss. 5, 6; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.106. Authority of foreign or domestic mutual burial association or domestic or foreign insurance company to purchase, merge or consolidate with North Carolina mutual burial associations.

(a) Any mutual burial association or insurance company operating pursuant to the laws of this State or any other state may purchase the assets of, merge, or consolidate with a North Carolina chartered mutual burial association in accordance with the laws of this State and any rules promulgated by the Board of Funeral Service to protect the interest of members of mutual burial associations prior to the purchase, merger, or consolidation of the association.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of Chapter 55 or Chapter 55A, any domestic or foreign insurance company which if organized in North Carolina would have to be organized under Chapter 55 may merge or consolidate with any domestic mutual burial association. When a domestic or foreign insurance company consolidates or merges with a domestic mutual burial association and sells insurance or burial benefits in excess of two hundred dollars ($200.00), it shall be subject to all of the provisions of the insurance laws of North Carolina.

(c) If the assets and liabilities of a North Carolina mutual burial association are purchased, and no merger, consolidation or dissolution is effectuated in connection with the purchase, the management and administrative operations of the North Carolina mutual burial association shall be transferred to the purchasing entity.

(d) In any purchase, merger, or consolidation pursuant to this section, the membership of the mutual burial association shall be guaranteed coverage in the amounts held by each member at the time of such purchase, merger, or consolidation. During the life of the member, this coverage shall not exceed the annual rate charged by the mutual burial association that is being purchased, merged, or consolidated. An insurance company which purchases, merges with, or consolidates with a North Carolina mutual burial association shall establish and maintain life insurance reserves in accordance with the insurance laws of North Carolina for those burial insurance policies existing at the time of the purchase, merger, or consolidation. A North Carolina mutual burial association or foreign mutual burial association which purchases, merges with, or consolidates with a North Carolina mutual burial association shall establish and maintain burial insurance reserves in accordance with the burial insurance laws of North Carolina for those burial insurance policies existing at the time of the purchase, merger, or consolidation. (1981, c. 989, s. 5; 1983, c. 766; 1987, c. 864, s. 12; 1997-313, s. 5; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b).)

§ 90-210.107. Acquisition, merger, dissolution, and liquidation of mutual burial associations.

(a) Any insurance company which desires to purchase the assets of or to merge with a burial association as provided in G.S. 90-210.106 shall submit to the Board of Funeral Service and to the secretary of the association a written proposal containing the terms and conditions of the proposed purchase or merger. A proposal may be conditioned upon an increase in the assessments of an association in the manner set out in subsection (g) of this section. In such a case, the issues of purchase or merger and an increase in assessments may be considered at the same meeting of the association.

(b) Upon receipt of a written proposal:

(1) The Board shall issue an order directing the association to hold a meeting of the membership within 30 days following receipt of the order for the purpose of voting on the proposal.

(2) Within 10 days of receiving the order from the Board, the association shall give at least 10 days' written notice of the meeting to each of its members. The notice shall:

a. State the date, time, and place of the meeting.

b. State the purpose of the meeting.

c. Contain or have attached the proposal submitted by the insurance company.

d. Contain a statement limiting the time that each member will be permitted to speak to the proposal, if the association deems it advisable.

e. Contain a written proxy form and instructions concerning the proxy prescribed by the Board.

(c) A representative of the insurance company shall be permitted to attend the meeting held by the association for the purposes of explaining the proposal and answering any questions from the members. The officers of the association may present their views concerning the proposal. Any member of the association who wishes to speak to the proposal shall be permitted to do so subject to any time limitation stated in the notice of the meeting.

(d) The secretary of the association shall record the name of every member who is present at the meeting or has issued a written proxy pursuant to G.S. 55A-7-24 and shall determine whether there is a quorum. The presence of 15 members or ten percent (10%) of the membership, whichever is greater, shall constitute a quorum. Acceptance or rejection of the proposal shall be by majority vote of the members voting. Any member who is at least 18 years of age shall be permitted to vote. A parent or guardian of any member who is under 18 years of age may vote on behalf of his or her child or ward, but only one vote may be cast on behalf of that member.

(e) The secretary of the association shall certify the result of the vote and the presence of a quorum to the Board within five days following the meeting and shall include with the certification a copy of the notice of the meeting that was sent to the members of the association.

(f) The Board shall immediately review the certification, the notice, and any other records that may be necessary to determine the adequacy of notice, the presence of a quorum, and the validity of the vote. Upon determining that the meeting and vote were regular and held following proper notice and that a majority of a quorum of the members voted in favor of the proposal, the Board shall issue an order approving the purchase or merger and directing that the purchase or merger proceed in accordance with the proposal.

(g) Any burial association whose current assessments are not, or are unlikely to be within the next three years, adequate to reach or maintain a reserve of at least twenty-one dollars ($21.00) per member or are inadequate to meet the requirements of a proposal from an insurance company to acquire the assets of or to merge with the association may increase its assessments by an amount necessary to reach and maintain the reserve or to meet the proposal. The increase shall be approved by a vote of the members of the association at a regular meeting of the association or at a special meeting called for the purpose of increasing assessments.

(1) Any officer or director of the association may call a special meeting for the purpose of increasing assessments, and the secretary shall call a special meeting for such purpose upon the request of at least ten percent (10%) of the members or upon receipt of a proposal from an insurance company that is conditioned upon an increase in assessments.

(2) Written notice setting out the date, time, place, and the purpose of the meeting shall be hand delivered or sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the last known address of each member of the association at least 10 days in advance of the meeting.

(3) No vote may be had on the question of an increase in assessments unless a quorum of the members of the association is present at the meeting. A quorum shall be conclusively presumed if 15 members or ten percent (10%) of the membership of the association, whichever is greater, is present at the meeting.

(4) The proposal to increase the assessments shall be approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting.

(5) The secretary of the association within five days following the meeting shall certify the result of the vote and the presence of a quorum to the Board in the manner and for the purposes set out in subsections (e) and (f) of this section.

(h) Upon a written request from an association that has held a valid meeting and voted for voluntary dissolution in accordance with G.S. 90-210.81, the Board shall issue an order of liquidation for that association.

(i) Upon receipt of a request for voluntary dissolution under subsection (h) of this section or if the sponsoring funeral establishment has its permit revoked or ceases operation for any reason, the Board shall issue an order of liquidation. The Board's order may direct that the agreements for members' benefits be transferred to a financially sound mutual burial association, as well as all records, property, and unexpended balances of funds of the association to be liquidated, if the financially sound mutual burial association agrees in writing to accept the transfer. The Board's order shall direct the burial association to complete the liquidation and to file a final report with the Board no later than December 31 of the year of the liquidation. Upon receipt of the order of liquidation, the burial association shall:

(1) Cease accepting new members.

(2) Collect all debts owed to the association and pay all debts owed by the association from monies on hand, including the reserve.

(3) Distribute pro rata any remaining monies on hand and in the reserve among those who were members of the association and whose transfer could not be accomplished on the date that the liquidation order was issued by the Board. Each member's distributive share shall be determined by dividing the amount of the member's benefit by the aggregate benefits of all members of the association and then multiplying the total amount of money available for distribution by the percentage so derived. Assessments owed by the members to the association at the time of distribution shall be taken into account and shall be offset against the members' distributive shares.

(4) Issue a certificate to members in an amount that equals the difference between the distributive share issued in subdivision (3) of this subsection and the full amount of the member's association benefit. Any certificate issued shall supersede and supplant any other certificate already issued by the association. The certificate shall be on a form prescribed by the Board and shall be prepared and distributed by the association at its expense.

(5) File a final report with the Board on or before December 31 in the year in which the order of liquidation was issued. This report shall show all receipts and disbursements, including the amount distributed to each member, since the last annual report of the association was filed with the Board.

(j) A certificate issued under subsection (i) of this section may be used as a credit toward the cost of funeral services, facilities, and merchandise at any funeral establishment that agrees on forms prescribed by the Board to accept such certificates. A funeral establishment that agrees to accept certificates shall do so until the agreement with the Board expires. The Board shall maintain and distribute to the public a list of funeral establishments that will accept certificates.

(k) Upon receipt of the final report of dissolution by the association, which is required by subsection (i) of this section, the Board shall immediately review the final report and shall notify the association whether the report is complete and has been accepted. Upon acceptance of the final report by the Board, all licenses issued to soliciting agents of the association pursuant to G.S. 90-210.84 are automatically cancelled. (1999-425, s. 3; 2003-420, ss. 1, 17(b); 2007-531, s. 17.)

§§ 90-210.108 through 90-210.119: Reserved for future codification purposes.