Apr 14 Urgent Action Needed – Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery

April 14, 2025

Ms. Gina Sanchez
Chief, Cemetery and Funeral Bureau
California Department of Consumer Affairs
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite S208
Sacramento, CA 95834

Re: Urgent Action Needed – Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery

Ms. Sanchez,

On behalf of the Marin County Board of Supervisors, I write to join our constituents and State Legislators in expressing our serious concerns regarding the ongoing situation at Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery in San Rafael. We respectfully urge the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau to exercise its full regulatory authority to hold the cemetery’s operator accountable — including removal and replacement, if necessary — to ensure that the grounds are properly maintained in accordance with state law and that any misappropriated funds are recovered.

Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery has been an important part of Marin County’s community and history for more than 150 years. Families continue to entrust their loved ones to its care, and members of our community visit these grounds regularly. These grounds must be treated with dignity and respect. It is unacceptable that current management, despite a clear judicial record documenting financial and operational mismanagement, neglect, and ongoing unlicensed activity, nevertheless continues to control the property to the detriment of many families.

Recent enforcement actions, including the Bureau’s issuance of citations and cease-and-desist orders, are important initial steps. The January 2025 Solano County order and judgment and finding facts should be enough to show that there appear to be significant and alarming facts and circumstances.  However, the continued deterioration of the cemetery and ongoing mishandling of funds from families for burial plots remain unresolved and warrant urgent further immediate action. 

Our Board urges the Bureau to:

• Exercise all available regulatory authority to remove the current unlicensed management from any operational control at Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery if they will not maintain the cemetery as required by state law;
• Pursue the appointment of a qualified temporary manager to stabilize and maintain the property while a long-term solution is identified;
• Ensure the protection and appropriate use of cemetery funds, including endowment care funds, to support the cemetery’s immediate and ongoing maintenance needs; and
• Provide regular updates to County leadership, Marin’s State Legislators, and affected community stakeholders regarding the status of the Cemetery and any corrective actions underway.

The Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery is a vital community asset. Its ongoing neglect places an unfair burden on families, Marin’s faith institutions, and volunteers who are striving to maintain the site in respect for those buried on the grounds in the absence of responsible management.

We respectfully request that the Bureau act without delay. If we can be of assistance in supporting or facilitating needed solutions, please do not hesitate to contact County Executive Derek Johnson.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely, 

Mary Sackett, President
Marin County Board of Supervisors

CC:      Senator Mike McGuire
            Assemblymember Damon Connolly
            Marin County Board of Supervisors 
            San Rafael City Council