Thousands of Ohioans will visit cemeteries on or around Memorial Day to pay their respects to loved ones and our nation’s veterans. Memorial Day is Monday, May 27, 2013.
“We cherish our cemeteries because they are an important part of our history and they serve as the final resting place of our veterans and loved ones,” said Andre T. Porter, Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce.
Director Porter said that occasionally Ohioans may have a concern about an issue involving a cemetery. In those cases, they should first bring the matter to the attention of the cemetery’s management. If the issue cannot be resolved, Ohioans may file a complaint with the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission.
The Commission receives cemetery complaints involving registered cemeteries and works to resolve disputes that arise between a concerned party and a cemetery. Common examples of complaints include the cemetery’s maintenance, how the cemetery is managed, or sales issues such as the purchase of interment rights, burial containers, markers or other items.
Once a complaint is filed, a copy is sent to the cemetery operator. If it is not resolved, the complainant and the cemetery operator will receive a notice to appear before the Commission. The commissioners – many of whom are experienced cemetery operators as well as public members – will suggest possible ways to resolve the issue.
The cemetery complaint form is available at www.com.ohio.gov/real/docs/real_COM3660CemeteryComplaintForm.pdf or by calling (614) 466-4100.
To assist Ohioans in understanding cemetery issues, the department’s Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing has a brochure titled “Ohio Cemeteries: A Consumer Guide” available at www.com.ohio.gov/real/docs/real_CemeteryConsumerBrochure.pdf or by calling (614) 466-4100.
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