Case ID: ohio-cc_14/html/0354-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Smith, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

(First Circuit Hamilton Co., O. Circuit Court
    Jan’y. Term, 1897.)
    Before Cox, Smith, and Swing, .TJ
    STATE EX REL. SONNTAG v. SHONHOFT ET AL., TRUSTEES.
    
      Application for disinterment of body — Parents next of Tain where ■ brothers and sisters are minors—
    'Under the act of 1894, 91 O. L., 231, providing for the manner in ' which application is to be made for the disinterment and delivery of bodies from cemeteries by the trustees thereof, to the next of kin of the deceased, the brothers and sisters are the next of kin of the deceased; but where the brothers and sisters are minors, the parents are the next of kin, and entitled to make the application.
    Mandamus.
    
      L. Cr. Hummell, for Relator.
    
      Garr & Sjpeiser, for Defendant.
   Smith, J.

We think, on the facts shown in this case, the relators are entitled to the relief sought by them, viz, that the defendants, trustees of the cemetery in question, on payment of the reasonable cost and expenses thereof, shall disinter and deliver to the relators the bodies of their two minor children,, now buried in said cemetery, or issue a permit for the disinterment and delivery thereof to the relators — the provisions of the act of May 14, 1894, 91 Ohio Laws, 231, as to-the application &c., having been fully complied with by the relators.

The only question really made is as to whether the relators are next of kind of the deceased, of full age and sound mind. It is conceded that relators have two other minor-children, brothers or sisters of the dead children. If the-children living were of full age and sound mind, they would be the next of kin to the deceased children, and the' application should come from them. As they are minors,, the father and mother would be next of kin, competent to-apply, and we think the statutes on the facts stated give-them the right claimed.