The Institute for Justice has filed a lawsuit against the Louisiana Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors on behalf of the Benedictine monks of St. Joseph's Abbey. Louisiana law states that only licensed funeral directors can sell "funeral merchandise," including caskets. Since 2007, the monks have been making and selling simple wooden caskets to support themselves. A complaint was filed against them in 2008. The lawsuit claims that the monks' right to due process of law under the Fourteenth Amendment is being violated under the funeral licensing laws.
April 13, 2011
