Rhode Island governor Don Carcieri has vetoed a bill that would have extended funeral planning privileges to same-sex couples, saying in a letter to lawmakers that “If the General Assembly believes it would like to address the issue of domestic partnership, it should place the issue on the ballot and let the people of Rhode Island decide.”

The Advocate reported on the surprising veto:

The socially conservative Republican said the proposed protection represents a “disturbing trend” of the incremental erosion of heterosexual marriage, reports the Associated Press. Rhode Island does not recognize same-sex marriage.

The bill would have added domestic partners to the list of people who can legally make funeral arrangements for a deceased individual.

The bill, which can be read here, may still become law as Democrats hold a veto-proof majority in the Rhode Island Assembly.