What happens to graves when a church is sold?

What happens to the graveyards when church is sold?

Unless the parish council buys it, it could be snapped up by a private individual and local people fear the building will be turned into a private home and the graves possibly moved and lost forever. It comes after another property recently came on the market for sale with a graveyard in its front garden.

Who owns a grave in a churchyard?

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 long are graves kept?

When you buy a burial plot, often what you’re actually doing is buying a Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial, which is the right to decide who is buried there for a set period of time (usually about 25–100 years).

How does a church get deconsecrated?

The actual deconsecration of a church building is, according to canon law, established by a decree that is issued by the responsible diocesan bishop. … These “disappearing” church buildings do, however, in most cases not disappear without some sort of last ritual, before indeed leaving a ritual void.

Can churches be demolished?

Historically, redundant churches were often demolished or left to ruin. Today, many redundant churches are repurposed e.g. as community centres, museums, or homes; demolition occurs only if no alternative can be found.

Do you own your cemetery plot forever?

Generally speaking, when you purchase a cemetery plot, it does not expire, and it will always be yours. … While the cemetery retains ownership of the land, you are purchasing the right to use the land for a burial.

Can you stop someone from visiting a grave?

You can’t prevent someone from visiting them as long as they aren’t vandalizing the site or causing trouble for people that are visiting.

What happens when a cemetery fills up?

“It’s mandated that whenever a burial takes place, a portion of that payment is put into an endowment care trust.” Once a cemetery is filled, the endowment care trust is designed to handle maintenance of the grounds indefinitely. The mandate was put in place in 1955. Before then, setting funds aside was optional.

Who holds the deeds to a grave?

The ownership of the cemetery land remains with the Council. The Deed of Exclusive Right of Burial is issued for a set period.

Who has the deeds to a grave?

When a grave is purchased, a Deed of Grant is bestowed on the Registered Grave Owner. This gives them the exclusive rights to the grave for 50 years. After this period of time is up, the Deed of Grant must be extended in order to continue ownership of the grave site.