Q&A for How to Move a Gravesite

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Question

Is it illegal to move a grave?

David I. Jacobson
Funeral Home Director
David I. Jacobson is the founder of Chicago Jewish Funerals, an independent Jewish owned funeral provider that evolved into two funeral homes in the Chicagoland area. With over 30 years of experience serving families, David is a leading expert on Kavod Hamet, the Jewish traditions of honoring and respecting the dead. David is an active funeral director that serves people planning and in need of funerals, lecturing to congregations, community groups, and schools extensively about the values of the Jewish funeral as well as the dying process and the value of one’s legacy.

David I. Jacobson

Funeral Home Director

Expert Answer

It is perfectly legal in many areas, however, this varies from state to state. Make sure you check to see if you need a state permit before going through with the exhumation process.

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Question

How do you rebury someone with no money?

David I. Jacobson
Funeral Home Director
David I. Jacobson is the founder of Chicago Jewish Funerals, an independent Jewish owned funeral provider that evolved into two funeral homes in the Chicagoland area. With over 30 years of experience serving families, David is a leading expert on Kavod Hamet, the Jewish traditions of honoring and respecting the dead. David is an active funeral director that serves people planning and in need of funerals, lecturing to congregations, community groups, and schools extensively about the values of the Jewish funeral as well as the dying process and the value of one’s legacy.

David I. Jacobson

Funeral Home Director

Expert Answer

Unfortunately, moving a gravesite can be costly. However, you may be able to offset some of the costs by selling the original gravesite to someone who lives in the area

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Question

How much does it cost to relocate a grave site?

David I. Jacobson
Funeral Home Director
David I. Jacobson is the founder of Chicago Jewish Funerals, an independent Jewish owned funeral provider that evolved into two funeral homes in the Chicagoland area. With over 30 years of experience serving families, David is a leading expert on Kavod Hamet, the Jewish traditions of honoring and respecting the dead. David is an active funeral director that serves people planning and in need of funerals, lecturing to congregations, community groups, and schools extensively about the values of the Jewish funeral as well as the dying process and the value of one’s legacy.

David I. Jacobson

Funeral Home Director

Expert Answer

That depends on the cemeteries you're using. You'll have to pay for the labor to do the disinterment at the first cemetery. Then, you have to purchase a new grave, and possibly a new vault and casket. You may also have to pay to have a funeral director present.

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Question

My daughter is buried in a rural cemetery, and I need her brought to the city. Is that possible?

Community Answer

Yes, that should be possible, but you will have to call the cemeteries to discuss the process.

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Question

My wife is buried in her parents' gravesite. Can I move her body with mine in a different cemetery? Do they have to agree?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

The last will and testament of your wife should be respected. If she decreed that she wanted to be buried with her parents, then you can't move her. Since you would be opening the parents' gravesite to get to the body of your wife, then yes, they would have to agree to that.

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Question

My husband was buried in an inappropriate plot. I would like to have him moved to a new plot in the same cemetery, can I do this?

Pearlbelle

Top Answerer

Yes. You will have to consult the cemetery first, but as close family, this is possible.

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Question

Can a war veteran in a national cemetery be moved to a different cemetery?

Community Answer

You may need to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs and speak with someone in their department of cemeteries. Burial in a national cemetery is usually a benefit bestowed upon those honorably discharged from military service.

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Question

My brother was buried, but I want his body exhumed to be cremated. What are the costs and processes?

Flutasmoradas

Community Answer

You need to obtain a death certificate first. Contact an Environmental Health Officer in your area, as they need to be a part of the process. If you are granted the license and the initial exhumation goes smoothly, contact a local cremation society for its rates.

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Question

Can you move a body from a cemetery to your yard?

Community Answer

Some people get to state in their will that they desire to be buried at a particular place, maybe their farmland. To ensure you are not doing anything contrary to the law of the land, it's a good idea to get a permit or guidance from your local authority, like the city council. Ensure it's a decision others in your family or neighborhood won't find disturbing or illegal. In such a case where you would not be able to move the individual, a public cemetery is not a bad idea; you can still pay your respects from there.

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Question

My loved one is buried in flood plain. Can I request that the cemetery move grave at their expense?

Community Answer

First, has the cemetery flooded? You can have your loved one moved at your expense anytime as long as you follow all state and federal laws and regulations. Not sure about the cemetery footing the bill, though.

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Question

Can I sue a cemetery if they allow it to be used as a public park?

Community Answer

If you have enough reasoning, you can file a lawsuit for anything and everything, but you are unlikely to come out on top in this case.

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