Honoring Loved Ones with Memorials
No matter if a loved one recently passed or it has been many years since they left this world, your family likely wants to honor the life they lived with a memorial. If they were a smoker, the gravesite may even offer a place for them to bring their pack of cigarettes and ashtray to their loved one’s site. Unfortunately, this may be something that is against the law at their cemetery or park. Here are some things that families need to know about Washington state smoking laws, courtesy of the comprehensive guide The Lowdown on Washington’s Smoking Laws: A Comprehensive Guide.
In 2005, the Clear Indoor Air Act was introduced to “reduce exposure to second-hand smoke in the state of Washington.” Since then, several anti-smoking laws have come into effect that ban all forms of smoking or vaping inside many public buildings, including hospitals, schools, and restaurants. Though the laws will vary based on where you live, they could easily apply to your family gathering or loved one’s memorial event.
While smoking is legal in outdoor parks, private property, and designated smoking areas of hospitals, some places now ban smoking inside even these areas as well.
When most people think about being a stonemason, they probably imagine someone carving a date and some names into a slab. However, many people may not realize that they have options when designing a gravestone. If a loved one was a smoker, you may even opt for customizing the gravestone by adding a cigar or cigarette motif in some way, allowing for years of remembrance even without a visible object.
There are many things that can impact how a family wants to celebrate the life of their lost loved one. While your world may have changed if your loved one passed due to cancer or lung damage due to smoking, others may want to display a photo of them smoking, even if it is not always illegal to do so.
If a loved one did smoke, you may be more likely to include a scene of them smoking on the gravestone. In some cases, you may want to place an ashtray at their gravesite. While this may be illegal, it could also be a failing of law enforcement to enforce a law that is not well-publicized or common. The only way to know how this law could impact you is by consulting local law enforcement and your local health board.
If a loved one died of a smoking-related illness, you may want to consider including imagery of cigarettes or cigars on their gravestone, allowing more visibility of the warning.
Smoking and vaping can impact many individuals in different ways. However, when you want to create a memorial for your loved one, you should be aware of local laws that can impact your ability to even hold events in some areas. Updating your event plans to comply with Washington state smoking laws can ensure that your loved one’s memorial is a beautiful occasion and not a missed opportunity for celebration.
The above article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as any kind of legal advice. Please consult an attorney to learn how you can better comply with all applicable laws.