Who does a gravestone belong to?

Asked by: Mrs. Ottilie Barton  |  Last update: November 8, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (57 votes)

A headstone can only be installed by a person who is legally responsible for the deceased. In most cases, this is the next of kin, but a person can designate someone else to be in charge of their burial arrangements before their death.

Who owns the headstone on a grave?

The headstone is considered the personal property of whoever purchased it, presumably the owner of the plot in the cemetery... If you own the plot where the person is buried, you can put whatever marker you want on it, as long as it complies with any rules that they have for markers/headstones..

Who can legally put a headstone on a grave?

Despite any other directives, written or verbal, the only people who can decide on the gravesite, including the monument that is placed there, is the person or people who own the Deed of Grant.

Who owns the tombstone?

The headstone is not personal property. It is real estate, owned by whoever owns the gravesite. Unless there is some document giving her ownership of the real estate (i.e. the cemetery plot), she does not have authority to do anything to the gravestone.

Who is responsible for headstone damage?

Responsible Parties, Insurance, and Guarantees for Headstone Damage. The Cemetery's Role: Cemeteries generally have policies covering their liability and responsibilities. In cases of vandalism or accidental damage by cemetery staff, the cemetery might bear the repair costs.

You won't believe who this famous grave belongs to!

44 related questions found

Who has the right to move a grave?

Moving a grave requires an exhumation license, state permits, and other paperwork that could become costly. Proper authorities, under the direction of an environmental health officer, have to oversee the process of having the body exhumed, and you have to have a funeral director present.

Who is in charge of gravestones?

Who Controls a Headstone? A headstone can only be installed by a person who is legally responsible for the deceased. In most cases, this is the next of kin, but a person can designate someone else to be in charge of their burial arrangements before their death.

Who owns Living Tombstone?

The Living Tombstone (TLT) is an electronic rock band and YouTube channel formed in 2011 by Israeli music producer Yoav Landau and later joined by American singer Sam Haft as a musical duo.

What is the average cost of a headstone?

Headstones are one of the more costly parts of funeral and burial plans. The average family pays between $1,000 and $3,000 for the headstone, which includes installation costs. The cost varies depending on several factors, including the size, material, style, and level of detail in the engraving.

Who is responsible for paying for a headstone?

No one is obligated to pay for a headstone. The deceased's estate pays for the funeral unless there are no assets in the estate. Then the immediate family covers the costs.

Is it legal to have a grave in your backyard?

Home burials are technically legal in every state except: California. Indiana. Washington.

Do funeral homes sell headstones?

You might ask yourself: “Where else would I go to purchase a headstone?” The cemetery is where the memorial will be placed, but you can purchase headstones from cemeteries, funeral homes or memorial providers. Memorial providers are especially experienced with grave markers of all styles, materials, shapes and sizes.

Who owns take to the grave?

Take To The Grave was founded in 2019 by best friends Shawn Cole & Alex Duquette. Although both guys grew up in different provinces they had very similar upbringings. Both skateboarding, starting, playing and touring in and with bands.

Who has the right to put a headstone on a grave?

The grant deed holder is the only person who can legally order a headstone to be installed. This is usually designated next of kin or whoever has been named executor in the deceased's will. If you aren't designated on the grant deed, you won't be able to order installation of a headstone on a grave.

Who owns Tombstone?

In 1988, the Tombstone Pizza Company became a wholly owned but "freestanding" division of Kraft Foods. The employees who worked for Tombstone at the time were allowed to keep their jobs, although Pep and Ron Simek stepped aside from their roles in the business.

Is The Living Tombstone one person?

“TLT” as they are known to their legion of fans, are the duo Yoav Landau and Sam Haft.

Who owns epitaph?

Epitaph Records is an American independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. A large portion of the record label, known as Hellcat Records, is owned by Tim Armstrong, frontman of the punk rock band Rancid.

Who owns a headstone?

Legal Ownership of Headstones

Generally, the person who owns the burial plot, known as the Registered Grave Owner, holds the right to decide on and maintain the headstone.

Are cemeteries responsible for headstones?

Second, in most - not all, but most - US cemeteries the family is responsible for maintenance to the headstone itself. The “perpetual care” refers to mowing the grass, trimming around the gravestones, tree and bush maintenance, road maintenance, and general access. It does not usually refer to moved or damaged stones.

Why are headstones placed at the feet?

Footstones, which accompany headstones in many historic cemeteries, are smaller stones placed at the "foot" of the grave. They were originally used to mark the end of the grave, creating walking paths between rows of graves, and to denote the foot of the grave.

Who owns a grave after death?

If you die without leaving a Will, or without specifically mentioning in your Will the persons whom you wish to inherit your cemetery lot, it will be automatically inherited in equal shares by your descendants, who are defined as “living children and children of the lot owner's deceased children at the time of lot ...

Is digging up a grave a felony?

In many cases it is against the law to deface or desecrate grave sites or human remains. These include removing gravestones, leaving trash, disturbing, or tampering with a gravesite. People are also not allowed to open any repository of human remains or cover over or destroy. In many cases these are felonies.

What is the rule from the grave?

Think of ruling from the grave as tying someone's hands behind their backs yet expecting them to perform tasks at their full capacity. It is simply not practical. While we're on the topic of things that we shouldn't be doing… A will cannot contain any illegal, unethical or immoral provisions.