I don't think these are "old" tombstones, but as described, were rejects. I
take that to mean they messed up a name or a date and had to start over and
that they never were delivered, or they were delivered and the family
immediately discovered the mistake. I don't have a problem with these being
used to shore up the banks of a river or lake, but they should have had a
sledge hammer taken to them so that no resemblance could be made that they
were a tombstone. As far as who has jurisdiction over bodies and
stones...our cemetery can't afford to fix stones and I've always been told
that it is the 'family's responsibility'. However, there are no more members
of these families in the area or in existence. I have a problem with letting
the stones crumble away to nothing or fall over, but until I obtain a grant
or someone puts us in their will, there's not much I can do. I have no idea
about who can remove a body, but I assume that's part of the permit process
from the health department, to determine legality and jurisdiction. I don't
think this is the same issue as 'portable cemeteries' that make way for
development or are neglected in their care. However, if one of my ancestor's
graves was in jeopardy of being moved and the cemetery destroyed, I guess I'd
put up a fight to at least have the remains moved to where I wanted them, not
where the developer or the Court determines.
Kyle D. Conrad