AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 26; Title 35; Title 46 and Title 62, Chapter 5, relative to grave spaces.
The enactment of SB1909 will significantly affect how cemeteries manage grave spaces and their responsibility towards ensuring these spaces are utilized. Current laws regarding grave space ownership do not clearly address long-term abandonment, which can lead to unused land within cemeteries. By defining the conditions under which a grave space is considered abandoned, this bill aligns cemetery practices with modern demographics and usage patterns, allowing for more efficient use of land designated for burial sites and addressing local community needs for space.
Senate Bill 1909 introduces amendments to various titles of the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically focusing on the issue of grave spaces within cemeteries. The bill establishes a framework for determining when a grave space can be deemed abandoned, which occurs after 75 years of inactivity or lack of contact with the recorded owner or their heirs. This ensures that cemetery companies can reclaim unused grave spaces, making them available for future interment needs. The process includes notifying the last known owner and publishing details in local newspapers, thus aiming to balance the rights of present owners with the practical needs of cemetery management.
There may be contention around the bill's provisions, particularly regarding the balance between cemetery companies and the rights of space owner descendants. Critics may argue that the processes outlined for reclaiming grave spaces could undermine the emotional and historical significance of ancestral burial sites. Additionally, concerns may arise around the adequacy of the search for the owners, whether the notification processes are sufficient, and how these changes might inadvertently overlook the interests of families who may not be easily reachable, hence failing to adequately protect their rights.