The petition shall be made by the board of trustees by an agent or attorney appointed by it for that purpose. The agent or attorney shall file a petition signed and sworn to by the agent or attorney, in the office of the register of the court for the proper county. The petition shall set forth his or her authority as attorney or agent, the particular reasons for making and filing the petition, and a distinct description of the premises on which the cemetery is located. The petition shall be filed 30 days before the first day of the term for which the petition shall be noticed for hearing. Notice of the pendency and hearing of the petition shall be given for the same space of time, by publishing the same in a newspaper, published in the proper county, once in each week for 4 successive weeks before the first day of the term when the case is noticed for hearing. If the board of trustees neglects or refuses to appoint an attorney or agent within 30 days after the complaint in writing has been filed with the board, then a freeholder resident of the township may file the petition and proceed in the same manner as though regularly appointed as an agent or attorney. The freeholder may be required, upon the order of the circuit court, to furnish security for costs should the petition be denied.