Body of News Release
The following is a joint release between the County of Marin and the office of Assemblymember Damon Connolly.
Marin County, CA – Years of advocacy by families, community members, and state and local officials have resulted in three significant state actions to help address conditions at Mount Tamalpais Cemetery in San Rafael.
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed SB 1312 (Richardson) and AB 929 (Connolly), creating a new pathway toward responsible long-term ownership, and approved $1.8 million in state funding to begin restoring the cemetery.
Mount Tamalpais is a privately owned endowment care cemetery regulated by the state Cemetery and Funeral Bureau (CFB), not the County of Marin or the City of San Rafael. However, the County and City became increasingly involved after years of concerns from families and community members about deteriorating conditions and the absence of a clear path toward responsible, long-term stewardship.
In 2025, the CFB revoked the cemetery’s license following state enforcement action, while burials have continued for families with pre-purchased plots.
“With the passage of AB 929 and securing $1.8 million for the restoration of the Mount Tamalpais Cemetery, we are finally in a strong position to return respect and dignity to these grounds, ending years of struggle for families who have loved ones buried in San Rafael,” said Assemblymember Damon Connolly, who represents Marin County. “It was a privilege to partner with the County and community members advocating for the passage of AB 929 and the inclusion of funding in this year’s budget. Together, we were able to secure both and chart a new path for Mount Tamalpais Cemetery.”
SB 1312 establishes a statewide process for determining when a private endowment care cemetery is abandoned and provides a pathway for ownership to transition. The County of Marin helped shape that framework through its participation in the statewide workgroup established by SB 777 in 2025.
AB 929, authored by Assemblymember Connolly and sponsored by Marin County, was written to address the unique circumstances at Mount Tamalpais Cemetery. It allows the County to subsequently transfer ownership, care and management of the Cemetery to a qualified nonprofit or state-licensed cemetery operator. This allows the County to serve as a bridge to responsible long-term stewardship under a new, responsible private owner.
“AB 929 is remarkable progress toward restoring Mount Tamalpais Cemetery for the people buried there and their loved ones who visit,” said Marin County Supervisor Mary Sackett, who represents much of San Rafael. “I am grateful to Assemblymember Connolly and the community members who have championed this legislation.”
Community advocacy and involvement have been central to this effort. More than 200 community members wrote to state and local officials this year calling for legislative action and state funding. For the past two years, the County and City of San Rafael have also been meeting regularly with local faith communities that continue to have sections of the cemetery with active burials, working on immediate needs and a long-term path forward.
The City of San Rafael has been an important partner, as the cemetery is within City jurisdiction. The City has been working with the County and community on conditions at the cemetery and San Rafael Fire continues to address wildfire and other public safety concerns.
What Comes Next
With the new state framework in place, the County will continue working with the community, City of San Rafael, CFB and other partners on the next phase. The Board of Supervisors would need to complete the process established under state law to declare the cemetery abandoned before the property could transition through the new framework. SB 1312 requires notice to the property owner and provides a 90-day period to address identified public health, safety or welfare concerns before an abandonment declaration.
Concurrently, the County and City are working with the community to identify an appropriate nonprofit or licensed cemetery operator capable of providing permanent ownership, care and stewardship. The $1.8 million state investment provides initial for that successor to begin restoring a site that has experienced significant deferred maintenance.
Together, these public and private efforts are intended to move Mount Tamalpais Cemetery toward a sustainable future that honors those buried there and provides families confidence in its long-term care.