At least 20 days before the date fixed for the hearing, a notice declaring that the unoccupied cemetery lot has been presumed to be abandoned and setting forth the date fixed for the hearing shall be (i)(a) served personally upon the recorded owner thereof, or his heirs, if the recorded owner is known by the cemetery to be dead and upon such heirs whose names and addresses have been filed with the cemetery, or (b) served by mailing the notice by registered mail to the last known address of the recorded owner thereof, or his heirs, if the recorded owner is known by the cemetery to be dead and to such heirs whose names and addresses have been filed with the cemetery, and (ii) published once a week for four consecutive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the city or town in which the cemetery is located. It shall be the duty of such recorded owner or his heirs to appear and answer to the allegations of a petition filed pursuant to § 57-39.3. Any such appearance and answer shall rebut the presumption of abandonment.