Any owner of private lands, may, as plaintiff, institute an action for the purposes set forth in section one of this article by filing a petition before the circuit court of the county in which the lands affected are located. Such petition shall show the title to such lands, the condition of the graves in question, the interests of all persons in such lands and in the remains in such graves, so far as known, the reasons why removal is sought, and the proposed disposition of such remains. The petition shall further show that plaintiffs have made reasonable and diligent effort to ascertain the identity of each deceased and each deceased's surviving next of kin, heirs-at-law, administrator, executor or personal representative. The court may, if deemed necessary, appoint a guardian ad litem to protect the interests of known or unknown persons in interest, whether living or dead.