A recent article and news feed that you can see here describes that Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf is set to sign a bill into law which lets loved ones visit the graves of their deceased relatives in private cemeteries.  My take is that you should not need legislation to be able to do that.

As I checked on the story here’s what I found out.  In 2010 the Rock Cemetery in Berks County, Pennsylvania was sold at public auction.  According to an article I read it was purchased by the Dovin family and they immediately stated that there could be no more burials in it and, in addition,  anybody going in it will be cited for trespassing.

I’ve read several articles where widows wondered why they could not be buried next to their husbands as they said they owned the lots.  The owner did, however, state that these widows could dis-inter their husbands and move them to another cemetery.

One article dating to 2016 states that the Berks County attorney was aware of the situation but could not comment due to a civil matter.  He did, however, advise police not to cite anybody visiting the cemetery.  Well, with the new legislation about to be signed no one should have to worry about trespassing anymore.

Funeral Director Daily take:  This situation causes me to shake my head.  Why would somebody buy a cemetery only to close it off from visitors and future burials.  In reading these articles I really don’t have an answer.  And, why would a county put a cemetery up for sale at public auction.  It is almost like they were looking for trouble.  I’ve said before some cemeteries may run out of funds for upkeep and municipalities are going to have to look at taking over the maintenance we’ve seen stories of that happening and if you see it happening in your community you should offer some advice.  Small town funeral directors should be looked at to help with the solutions to these types of problems.  This situation in Berks County seems to be one where the county really got it wrong.

And the legislation seems to only protect visitors and not those who believe that they have lots to be buried in next to their loved ones.  I don’t believe that the legislation solves the problems of people who still want to be buried in Rock Cemetery.  It’s an interesting world.

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