Abandoned or Previously Unidentified Cemeteries; Removal of Remains

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This is Article 4 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Abandoned or Previously Unidentified Cemeteries; Removal of Remains.” It is part of Chapter 3 “Cemeteries”, which is part of Title 57 “Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries”. It contains 11 laws.

It’s comprised of the following 11 sections.

§ 57-35.35:1 Definitions
§ 57-35.36 Cemeteries owned by localities; good faith effort required prior to interment
§ 57-35.37 Sale of cemeteries owned by a locality; required notice to descendants of original owner
§ 57-36 Abandoned or previously unidentified graveyards may be condemned; removal of bodies
§ 57-37 Costs of suits, removal and reinterment; how surplus above costs disposed of
§ 57-38 Exemption from §§ 57-36 and 57-37
§ 57-38.1 Proceedings by landowner for removal of remains from previously unidentified or abandoned family graveyard
§ 57-38.2 Proceedings by heir at law or descendant for removal of ancestor's remains from previously unidentified or abandoned family graveyard
§ 57-39 Proceedings for removal of remains and sale of land vacated
§ 57-39.1 Improvement of abandoned and neglected graveyards
§ 57-39.1:1 Recovery of abandoned interment rights; procedure; rights of owner of record