In addition to any right of rescission which the purchaser may have under law, a purchaser entering into a contract with a cemetery broker, salesman, or authority for the provision of an interment plot or any service or merchandise, may cancel such contract without payment of a revocation fee or other penalty, within five calendar days after the purchaser signs it, by giving written notice of cancellation to the seller at the address specified in the contract. The notice need not be in any particular form, but shall indicate the purchaser’s intent not to be bound by the contract. Notice of cancellation, if given by mail, is effective when deposited in the mail properly addressed with postage prepaid.

Every such contract shall contain in immediate proximity to the space reserved for the purchaser’s signature, in a size equal to at least 10-point bold type, the following statement: “You, the purchaser, may cancel this transaction at any time prior to midnight of the fifth calendar day after the date of this transaction, provided no interment or substantial service or merchandise has been provided hereunder. To cancel, deliver or mail written notice of your intent to (name and address of cemetery authority or cemetery broker).”

Upon receipt of a valid notice of cancellation pursuant to this section, the cemetery authority or broker having custody of any money or property paid or transmitted by the purchaser on account of the preneed interment contract shall return such money or property to the purchaser. The cemetery authority or broker shall promptly notify the trustee if any such money or property has been transmitted thereto prior to receipt of the notice of cancellation. It shall be unlawful for any person to retain money or property received from a purchaser under such contract more than five business days after receiving or being apprised of a valid notice of cancellation.

Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, the right of cancellation granted hereby shall not be applicable if an interment has been made, or substantial services or merchandise provided, under the terms of the contract. This section shall supersede existing provisions of Sections 1689.6 to 1689.11, inclusive, of the Civil Code.

(Added by Stats. 1976, Ch. 729.)