Connecticut General Statutes 19a-315c – Maintenance of burial places
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 19a-315b, a burial ground authority shall have the right to properly maintain an ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place, which right shall include: (1) Repair, rehabilitation, repositioning or resetting of grave markers in accordance with the rules and regulations of the burial ground authority; and (2) the renovation of the ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place as a whole.
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 19a-315c
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Lineal descendant: Direct descendant of the same ancestors.
- Probate: Proving a will
(b) For purposes of subsection (a), no renovation of an ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place as a whole may be commenced until after: (1) The burial ground authority has conspicuously posted within the ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place, for a period of not less than ninety days, a notice that such renovation shall take place; and (2) the burial ground authority, at least ninety days before commencing a renovation, has provided written notice to the probate court having jurisdiction over the location of the burial place and to the Department of Economic and Community Development. Such notice to the probate court shall describe the renovation plans and include photographs of any area or grave marker involved.
(c) Following the notice period provided for in subsection (b) of this section, and subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, a burial ground authority may renovate an ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place by: (1) The removal of any or all fencing, railing or curbing, if such removal is determined by the burial ground authority to be necessary or desirable for the proper and efficient maintenance of the ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place as a whole; and (2) the repositioning or resetting of any monument or tombstone.
(d) At any time prior to the expiration of the notice period provided for in subsection (b) of this section, the probate court may assume jurisdiction over such renovation and order a hearing, with notice of such hearing to be given to the burial ground authority, the owner, the qualified lineal descendant, the Department of Economic and Community Development and otherwise as the court deems appropriate, to determine whether such renovation is necessary for the proper and efficient maintenance of the ancient burial place, cemetery or burial place as a whole. Upon notice of such hearing, the burial ground authority shall not proceed with such renovation except in accordance with the order of the probate court.