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Bill

SB 286

Require cemeteries to relocate remains if gravestone relocated

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tim Schaffer

Ohio cemeteries must relocate burial remains whenever gravestones are moved, creating operational and cost implications for cemetery management.

Referred to committee
#cemeteries
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Bill Summary · SB 286

Legislative bill overview

SB 286 would require Ohio cemeteries to relocate human remains whenever a gravestone is relocated. The bill mandates that cemetery operators must move the burial remains to match the position of the relocated headstone, creating a legal obligation to physically disturb graves when markers are moved.

Why is this important

This bill addresses a practical issue where gravestone relocations—whether due to damage, aesthetic grounds, or family requests—currently don't require the remains beneath to be moved. The measure could affect how cemeteries manage grounds maintenance, family requests, and cemetery operations, while raising questions about the feasibility and costs of such relocations.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Relocating remains is expensive and labor-intensive; cemeteries may pass costs to families or struggle with the mandate, potentially affecting smaller cemeteries disproportionately
  • Disturbance of remains: Exhuming and reburying remains raises ethical, religious, and emotional concerns for families, and may violate some religious or cultural burial practices
  • Practical clarity: The bill lacks specifics on who pays for relocations, what triggers a "relocation" (minor movement vs. major changes), and how to handle logistical complications like deteriorated remains or unmarked graves

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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