what kind of lawyer handles cemetery

by Fannie Mayer 9 min read

Full Answer

What does a funeral lawyer do?

They may also prepare the documents that will enumerate and outline their client’s final wishes, including medical and burial arrangements. 4. Personal Injury Lawyers

What laws apply to cemeteries in the US?

Most states have established rigorous laws that specifically apply to cemeteries. Private interests in the place of burial are subject to the control of public authorities, which have the right to require the disinterment of bodies if deemed necessary.

What is funeral home and cemetery negligence?

Funeral home and cemetery negligence are appalling acts that are frequently more common across the United States. The deceased have no way to protect or defend their bodies and dignity from physical abuse and/or desecration. Families that want to honor the memory of their loved ones feel defenseless against these horrific acts.

Can I sue a cemetery?

Keep in mind you can sue a cemetery just like any other business. We understand that this type of case can be very upsetting, and will proceed with the respect and sensitivity you and your loved ones deserve.

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What do you call a person who works at the cemetery?

Gravediggers, also known as cemetery workers or burial ground custodians, dig graves in cemeteries for burials.

What are cemetery caretakers called?

At minimum, a sexton functions as a caretaker for a cemetery, organizing and reviewing all the upkeep and maintenance required to keep it looking manicured and clean.

Can a cemetery plot be inherited?

If the deceased owner did not specifically devise (gift) the family plot in his or her will to someone and did not transfer the family plot to the cemetery in order to make the family plot inalienable, the deceased owner's heirs (often a surviving spouse and/or surviving children) inherit the plot.

Can a gravestone be moved?

The simplest answer to whether you can move a grave to another cemetery is yes.

Do graves get dug up after 100 years?

Unfortunately, there may be no way to guarantee a gravesite will remain undisturbed forever. You can look up local ordinances and find cemeteries that allow graves to be held in perpetuity. But over decades and centuries, the world around us changes. And so do laws and finances.

Why are graves dug 6 feet?

Medical schools in the early 1800s bought cadavers for anatomical study and dissection, and some people supplied the demand by digging up fresh corpses. Gravesites reaching six feet helped prevent farmers from accidentally plowing up bodies.

Who is the legal owner of a grave?

Memorials. The person named on a Deed as owner of Exclusive Right of Burial in a grave also has the right to have a memorial erected on that grave. Responsibility for any memorial erected on a grave lies with the person named on the Deed pertaining to it.

How do I change ownership of a grave?

Transfer and surrender of grave ownership The owner should fill in an assignment form. If the grave has not been used for burial the owner can surrender the Exclusive Rights of Burial. The owner should fill in a renunciation form. The surrender value is the original purchase price as specified on the Deed of Grant.

How long does a body stay buried in a cemetery?

This is usually after several decades and depends on the cemetery. Think of it like a lease - the lease on the plot may run out in 20 years, in which case they may offer the opportunity to renew the lease.

Who owns the headstone on a grave?

The person whose name is on the grant deed is the one who has the power to have a headstone installed. This is sometimes the designated next-of-kin. But it may also be the name of the person who has been named executor of the deceased's will.

Can ashes be removed from a grave?

Yes, you can move a body, or buried ashes, from one grave to another burial place.

Can you replace someone's headstone?

The owner is usually the person who arranged the funeral or cremation, but if you pre-purchase your own grave you will be considered the owner. This is the only person who can authorise a headstone to be placed or replaced.

What are the laws of cemeteries?

The Basic Laws Pertaining to Cemeteries. Americans have a hard time dealing with dying and death and often only deal with estate planning, elder care planning and selection of funeral arrangements when they have no choice, e.g. when death is imminent or already has occurred. The result can be both frustrating and expensive as people are required ...

Why do police have to regulate cemetery locations?

Some additional reasons for exercising the police power regarding the regulation of cemetery locations are: the public welfare in general. whether the establishment of a cemetery might disarrange the location of streets and highways and adversely affect civic enterprise. the prosperity of the community.

What happens when a cemetery is abandoned?

When the use is terminated and the cemetery abandoned, there is a reverter to the original donors or their legal representatives, free of such use . This rule applies to both statutory and common-law dedications.

What is the place where the final ceremonies of death are observed?

Cemeteries can be the place where the final ceremonies of death are observed. These ceremonies or rites differ according to cultural practice and religious belief. The establishment of a cemetery involves the process of formally designating a tract of land for use for the burial of the dead.

How does a state regulate the location of cemeteries?

A state may regulate the location of cemeteries through the exercise of its police power by statute directly regulating the location of cemeteries. In California, see Laurel Hill Cemetery v. San Francisco, 216 U.S. 358 (U.S. 1910).

What is a cemetery?

Definitions: A cemetery is a place where dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. It is a locale set aside, either by governmental authority or private enterprise. A public cemetery is open for use by the community at large while a private cemetery is used only by a small segment of a community or by a family.

Why is it important to have a cemetery next door?

Put simply having a cemetery next door can radically reduce the value of property since many buyers do not want to live next to cemetery.

Lawyer vs. attorney - what is the difference?

These two terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between lawyers and attorneys. Although both have a law degree, lawyers and attorneys don’t do the same jobs.

What types of lawyers are there?

There are plenty of job opportunities for lawyers, but after finishing law school, it can be hard to decide what type of law practice you want to pursue. There are numerous career paths that you can choose based on your plans, ambitions, and perhaps most importantly, your interests.

26 Different types of lawyers

Business lawyers or corporate lawyers ensure that all operations of an individual company are conducted within the legal framework of local, state, and federal laws. A business lawyer is involved in everything from liability and intellectual property disputes to mergers and revising all sorts of legal documentation.

What do lawyers do?

Different types of lawyers specialize in different areas of law. Some lawyers mostly do the work outside of the courtroom, such as drafting contracts and wills, preparing documents to comply with a process, negotiating deals, and advising clients on a legal problem. There are also lawyers who present cases in court or litigations ...

What is a criminal defense lawyer?

Last but not least, a criminal defense lawyer is skilled in handling all stages of a criminal lawsuit. They provide valuable counsel to their clients from the time they are arrested, through the investigation, charging, arraignment and sentencing. Their work isn't quite done if their clients wish to appeal their case. A good criminal defense attorney knows how to navigate the nuances of the law, which allows them to keep their clients out of prison.

What is a family lawyer?

Family Lawyers. These are lawyers who handle all kinds of domestic cases, such as divorce, legal separation, child custody, adoption, paternity, alimony, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, and emancipation. But family attorneys may also handle reproductive rights cases, and their work may intersect with other areas of the law.

Why do we need malpractice lawyers?

Since these are professions that ascribe to a set of standards , they have greater professional responsibilities that may be challenged in the courtroom or in litigation.

What is a real estate lawyer?

Real estate lawyers provide legal guidance for individuals or companies seeking to buy or sell a property. They work with their clients and the real estate agents to draft documents and ensure that the paperwork is legally binding. They may also negotiate for the buyer or seller, or represent a property owner during a foreclosure dispute.

What kind of lawyer handles reproductive rights?

But family attorneys may also handle reproductive rights cases, and their work may intersect with other areas of the law. For instance, if there’s a criminal investigation of child abuse or a domestic violence case, or if there’s a juvenile delinquency case, a family lawyer may also work with a criminal lawyer. 3. Estate Planning Lawyers.

What do IP lawyers need to know?

They need to have expert knowledge in both business and innovation trends. IP lawyers may also negotiate settlements on behalf of the creator or inventor if someone has infringed on their work, such as in cases where branded goods are faked and sold for a lower price in the market.

What is an estate planning lawyer?

The estate planning lawyer specializes in wills and trusts, and can help you to draw up a will to pass on your assets. Among other estate planning legal services, this type of lawyer can help you set up a trust which will help take care of your children’s financial needs.

What can a corporate lawyer do for you?

A corporate lawyer will be able to help you with issues related to the formation of your corporation, general corporate governance issues and corporate compliance issues.

What is a disability attorney?

The Social Security Disability system can be a particularly complex system in which to navigate. An attorney who specializes in Social Security Disability issues can help you with any step in the Social Security Disability process, including assisting you with eligibility issues, launching an appeal of a decision to deny you benefits and dealing with the reduction or termination of your benefits.

What is a worker's compensation lawyer?

If you’ve been injured while on the job, or have had to face the death of a loved one as a result of a workplace accident or occupational disease, a lawyer who specializes in workers compensation law can help you navigate the issues you face, such as the extent of the employer’s fault and the amount of benefits to which you are entitled.

What is an IP lawyer?

Also known as an IP attorney, an intellectual property lawyer can advise you with regard to issues relating to intellectual property, such as copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design and trade secrets.

What is an employment lawyer?

Employment Lawyer. Whether you’re a company that’s having a problem with an employee, or an individual who’s having problems with the company you work for, an employment lawyer can generally provide advice about legal issues which arise from an employment contract or within an employment relationship.

Do lawyers specialize in a particular area of law?

The legal field is vast and complex, and you’ll find that many lawyers specialize in a particular area of law. If you find yourself in need of a lawyer, make sure they have the expertise to handle your unique situation. Because there are so many different types of lawyers, you'll want to match your legal concern with the appropriate attorney.

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What's The Basis For Your Suit?

  • You can sue a cemetery just like any other business. But because cemeteries are involved with death, they can seem extra creepy. Plus, the personal damage caused by complications in that context can be particularly painful to people grieving the loss of a loved one. Lawsuits against cemeteries are commonly based on negligence, misrepresentation, and breach of contract, alth…
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Negligence Lawsuits

  • A negligence suit is brought when a duty of care is breached and causes damage. For example, a cemetery has a duty of care to customers. People bury family members in a particular place with an expectation that reasonable care be taken of the grounds, plots, and specific graves where their loved ones now lie. A cemetery breaches a duty of care by acting negligently. When a funer…
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Misrepresentation

  • When a cemetery contract intentionally misstates or omits critical terms to induce people to sign up for services, there may be a basis for a misrepresentation claim. Two brothers in Florida, who chose environmentally sound burial services for their mother were horrified to discover that her body was stacked between other "green" burial bodies. They found out when their friend's mothe…
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Breach of Contract

  • Another possible claim that may be appropriate is breach of contract. If the cemetery promised certain things in the contract and fell short, you may have recourse using this legal theory. A Grave Situation Creepy burial stories are no joke. Whatever a person's culture or religion, death is serious business. Failing to handle it that way is a grave...
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