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Archiver > ROOTS > 2008-06 > 1212786336


From: "Kith-n-Kin" <>
Subject: Re: [ROOTS-L] Cemetery stones and ownership
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 14:05:36 -0700
References: <c87.2f6bdf4b.357afaf2@aol.com>
In-Reply-To: <c87.2f6bdf4b.357afaf2@aol.com>


Peggy

I'm not a lawyer, but here's how I see the problem.

You and Ema are speaking in the "present tense," and indeed do own the
stones and some kind of ownership to the plot. What the rules are may be
spelled out in the agreement.

I think, however, that the people making the "touch it and you go to jail"
remarks are speaking of old|older cemeteries where no one really "owns"
anything, anymore. Many are out in the woods or desert, not cared for at
all, or much at all.

If we're talking about a cemetery put together by the inhabitants of a
village in Oregon in the 1880s, with the land being given by one of the
farmers, and the property is now in some kind of trust, there is probably no
"personal" ownership involved.

These protectors (volunteers, like you and me, not paid staff) are trying to
keep the ghouls out and the ghosts in. They don't need people descending on
the cemetery to play games, knock over stones, or whatever. Lots of
whatevers, in fact. Some also consider "touching" the stones verboten.

The fingerprint issue is also found in the documents world, where the jury
is still out on that one also. Some feel fingerprints are the devil's
handwork, others find the white gloves to be much more likely to cause
tears. And tears. (That's "tares" and "teers" <G>)

So, I wouldn't be concerned that you're going to be turned away, or turned
in. If you do, let us know and we'll "fix" them.

(Dang, I'm feisty today)

Pat (in Tucson)

-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto:] On
Behalf Of
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 1:41 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [ROOTS-L] ROOTS Digest, Vol 3, Issue 329

I agree with Ema very much. I paid for my husbands stone and it also has my
name on it. Also my mothers stone. I would like very much for the cemetery
officials to tell me that I could not touch the stones. I think they would
have more then just a law suit on their hands. You have paid for the lot and
also the stone. As far as I am concerned they don't have the right to tell
you you cannot touch a stone. I can't ever remember hearing anything so
rediculous.
Peggy



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