Domestic Partner Funeral Rights

WRVO

Published February 7, 2006 at 12:14 AM EST

By Christopher Ulanowski

Oswego, NY – Terry Chesterfield is still griefing the loss of her partner of 28 years. When Barbara Blake died of cancer in 2004, Terry had no say in the funeral arrangements and is still prohibited to visit her partner's gravesite.
Others in New York will not have to face the ordeal the Oswego County woman experienced under a new law signed by Governor Pataki. The new measure places a domestic partner ahead of a surviving child or parent in decisions over burial.
WRVO's Chris Ulanowski spoke to Terry, whose case was instrumental in crafting the legislation.

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