Case Name: State of Ohio ex rel. Sonntag v. Shonhoft et al., Trustees
Court: Hamilton Circuit Court
Jurisdiction: Ohio
Decision Date: 1897-01
Citations: 7 Ohio Cir. Dec. 723
Docket Number: 
Parties: State of Ohio ex rel. Sonntag v. Shonhoft et al., Trustees.
Judges: 
Reporter: Ohio Circuit Decisions
Volume: 7
Pages: 723–724

Head Matter:
NEXT OF KIN.
[Hamilton Circuit Court,
January Term, 1897.]
Cox, Smith, and Swing, JJ.
State of Ohio ex rel. Sonntag v. Shonhoft et al., Trustees.
Parents abe Entitled to make Application bob Removal or Childben’s Bodies FROM CEMETEBY IP OTHEB CHILDREN ABE MINORS.
Brothers and sisters are the next of kin, under the act of May, 1894, 91 O. L. 231, providing for the removal of bodies from cemeteries, hut where they are minors, the parents are next of kin and entitled to make the application.
Mandamus.

Opinion:
Smith, J.
We tbink, on the facts shown in this ease, 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 O. L., 231, as to the application &e., having been fully complied with by the relators.
The only question really made is as to whether the relators are next of kin to 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.
L. G. Hummell, for Relator.
Carr & Speiser, for Defendant.