West Liberty, KY asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Kentucky

Q: If I bought a farm with a private cemetery on it in Kentucky, do I have to allow more people to be buried in it?

A wife buried her grandchild and husband on her land and then sold it to me. Now she wants to bury more family there. Now that I own it, do I have to keep letting her bury people there?

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: In Kentucky, the ownership of land generally includes the right to decide how that land is used, including whether to allow additional burials in a private cemetery on the property. However, there are a few considerations to take into account.

First, review the property sale agreement and title documents to see if there are any easements or agreements related to the cemetery. Sometimes, previous owners might retain certain rights, like burial rights, in the sale contract.

If no such rights were explicitly retained or mentioned in the sale agreement, as the current landowner, you typically have the discretion to decide whether to permit additional burials.

It's also worth considering the emotional and historical significance of the cemetery to the previous owner's family. While you have legal rights as the property owner, a compromise or agreement that respects both parties' interests might be a more harmonious solution.

If you're uncertain or if the situation is contentious, consulting a local attorney for legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances is recommended. They can provide guidance based on the specifics of your property and any relevant local laws or ordinances.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.