At the hearing authorized by § 57-39.4, the proofs of the parties or the petition in the event of the failure of the recorded owner or his heirs to appear and answer shall be presented, and the court shall determine if the unoccupied cemetery lot set forth in the petition has been abandoned. If the court enters a decree adjudging such lot to be abandoned, it shall further provide that the city, town, corporation, association, or trustees having ownership and charge of the cemetery containing any such lot shall have the right to sell such lot and to use the proceeds for the purposes provided by this article.