“Developers purchase land and think that they own the cemetery that is on the property,” related Graham Perry, Historical Cemetery Preservation Specialist at the Union County Historical Society last month, “But they may or may not own the cemetery.”
Perry also explained that cemeteries cannot be blocked from visits by relatives, but the activities of visitors in the cemetery can be regulated by the owner.
He reviewed the Tennessee laws regarding cemeteries including ownership, maintenance, removal of a grave and historical designation for cemeteries. He also answered several questions from the audience of nearly 40 people from Union and surrounding counties.
The Union County Historical society will celebrate the 90th birthday of past president Wanda Woods Cox Byerley from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 16. Everyone is invited to drop by the museum and have some cake and punch.
To learn more about the Union County Museum, check the new website at unioncountyhistoricalsocietytn.com.