reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 57-35.36 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-35.36. Cemeteries owned by localities; good faith effort required prior to interment

Notwithstanding the exemptions provided for in § 54.1-2312, a cemetery operated by a county or city shall keep accurate records of the ownership of cemetery lots and shall make a good faith effort to ensure, prior to interment, that the ownership of a cemetery lot is vested in the decedent's estate or that permission for the interment has been granted by the person holding such ownership. This section shall not apply to lots or cemeteries which are dedicated for the burial of indigents.1991, c. 614.
VA Code § 57-37 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-37. Costs of suits, removal and reinterment; how surplus above costs disposed of

In the event that the proceeds from the condemnation are insufficient to defray the costs of the suit and removal, and reinterment of the remains, then the additional amount necessary therefor shall be paid by the county, city or town instituting the suit. If, after the payment of proper costs, there be any residue, the same shall be paid to the parties entitled thereto, and if there be any parties unknown who are entitled to such proceeds, the county, city or town shall hold such amount in trust for the parties so entitled, but such county, city or town shall not be charged with any interest on such amount so held. If the amount so held is not claimed by or paid to the parties entitled thereto within seven years from the date of sale of such burying ground, or part thereof, then such amount shall pass to and become a part of the Literary Fund of the Commonwealth, as provided by the statute of escheats.Code 1919, § 55; 1985, c. 95.
VA Code § 57-38 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-38. Exemption from §§ 57-36 and 57-37

Sections 57-36 and 57-37 shall not apply to any graveyard or cemetery owned by a church, or controlled by trustees, in which sections are sold.Code 1919, § 55.
VA Code § 57-38.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-38.1. Proceedings by landowner for removal of remains from previously unidentified or abandoned family graveyard

The owner of any land on which is located a previously unidentified graveyard or an abandoned family graveyard, and there has been no reservation of rights in such graveyard, or when the beneficiaries of any reservations of rights desire to waive such rights, and in which no body has been interred for twenty-five years may file a bill in equity in the circuit court of the county or in the circuit or corporation court wherein such land is located for the purpose of having the remains interred in such graveyard removed to some more suitable repository. To such bill all persons in interest, known or unknown, other than the plaintiffs shall be duly made defendants. If any of such parties be unknown, the plaintiffs shall undertake active, good faith efforts to locate interested parties including, at a minimum, publication of at least one notice in a local newspaper of general circulation, notice posted at the site of the graveyard, and notice to and consultation with any historic preservation or other such commission, as well as area historical and genealogical societies. In addition, the plaintiff is encouraged to post such notice on the Internet, including appropriate websites and through the use of social media, and to consult with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Upon the case being properly matured for hearing, and proof being made of the propriety of the removal, the court may order the removal made and the remains properly deposited in another place, at the expense of the petitioner. Such removal and reinterment shall be done with due care and decency.In determining the question of removal the court shall consider the historical significance of such graveyard and shall consider as well the wishes of the parties concerned so far as they are brought to its knowledge, including the desire of any beneficiaries of any reservation of rights to waive such reservation of rights in favor of removal, and so considering shall exercise a sound discretion in granting or refusing the relief prayed for.1966, c. 444; 1970, c. 377; 2014, c. 588; 2019, c. 195.
VA Code § 57-38.2 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-38.2. Proceedings by heir at law or descendant for removal of ancestor's remains from previously unidentified or abandoned family graveyard

Any heir at law or descendant of a deceased person interred in a previously unidentified graveyard or an abandoned family graveyard in which no body has been interred for 25 years may file a bill in equity in the circuit court of the county or city wherein the land is located for the purpose of having the remains interred in the graveyard removed to some more suitable repository. The owner of the land, any beneficiaries of any reservation of rights, and all other persons in interest, known or unknown, other than the plaintiffs shall be duly made defendants. If any of such parties are unknown, notice may be given by order of publication. Upon the case being properly matured for hearing, and proof being made of the propriety of the removal, the court may order the removal and the remains properly deposited in another place, at the expense of the petitioner. The removal and reinterment shall be done with due care and decency.The bill may be filed and relief granted regardless of whether there has been a reservation of rights in the graveyard and regardless of whether the beneficiaries of any reservation of rights desire to waive their rights. In determining the question of removal, the court shall consider the historical significance of the graveyard and the wishes of the parties concerned so far as they are brought to its knowledge, including the desire of any beneficiaries of any reservation in rights, and shall exercise sound discretion in granting or refusing the relief prayed for.1990, c. 562; 2019, c. 195.
VA Code § 57-39.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.1. Improvement of abandoned and neglected graveyards

When the owners of any private graveyard, not connected with any church or church property, abandon the graveyard and allow it to fall into a condition of neglect and disuse, so that it is unsightly and thereby lessens the desirability and value of adjacent land, and the owners fail or refuse, when requested by the owner of adjacent land or when requested by the local governing body of the county, city or town wherein the private graveyard is located, to remedy such condition of neglect and put the graveyard into suitable condition, then any owner of adjacent land or the local governing body may file a bill in equity in the circuit court of the county or city wherein the graveyard is located, for the purpose of requiring the graveyard to be placed in a suitable condition. The owners of the graveyard or any person having a right therein shall be made defendants to such court proceedings.The court shall not enter an order requiring the owners of a graveyard in which a grave or entombment right has never been sold to improve it or place it in a suitable condition. However, after hearing the evidence the court may allow the petitioners, at their own expense, to improve the graveyard and place it in suitable condition and may also require bond to ensure that the petitioners will not injure or remove any tomb, monument, gravestone, grave marker, or vault without having first obtained court approval. Acting pursuant to court order, the petitioners may thereafter enter upon the land and improve the graveyard and place it in suitable condition. The costs in any case involving a graveyard in which a grave or entombment right has never been sold shall be paid by the petitioners.In any case involving a graveyard in which a grave or entombment right has been sold, the court shall determine whether the owners or petitioners shall pay the costs of improving the graveyard and may require bond to insure against injury or removal of any tomb, monument, gravestone, grave marker, or vault without court approval.1950, p. 91; 1986, c. 55; 1990, c. 675.
VA Code § 57-39.2 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.2. Reversion of unoccupied cemetery lots in cities and certain towns; rebuttable presumption

The ownership of or right or interest in any unoccupied cemetery lot in any cemetery located in any city or in any town in the Counties of Scott and Wythe, or in any town in any county having the urban county executive form of government, which cemetery is under the ownership and charge of such city or town, or any corporation, association, or trustees, shall, upon abandonment, revert to such city, town, corporation, association, or trustees having ownership and charge of the cemetery containing any such lot. The continued failure to maintain or care for an unoccupied cemetery lot for a period of at least 30 years shall establish a rebuttable presumption that such lot has been abandoned.1962, c. 264; §§ 57-39.2 through 57-39.7, 1964, c. 111; 1985, c. 414; 1986, c. 118; 1985, c. 414; 2020, c. 669.
VA Code § 57-39.3 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.3. Proceedings; determination of abandonment

Any city, town, corporation, association, or trustees having ownership and charge of a cemetery that is located in a city, or town in a county, as provided in § 57-39.2, may file a petition in the circuit court within whose jurisdiction the cemetery is situated, setting forth its ownership of the cemetery and facts relating to the continued failure by the owner of an unoccupied cemetery lot in such cemetery to maintain and care for such lot for at least 30 consecutive years immediately preceding, and requesting an order adjudging any such lot to be abandoned. Upon the filing of such petition, the court upon proper motion shall set a date for a hearing.1962, c. 264; 1964, c. 111; 1986, c. 118; 2020, c. 669.
VA Code § 57-39.4 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.4. Notice to owner of record; publication

At least 20 days before the date fixed for the hearing, a notice declaring that the unoccupied cemetery lot has been presumed to be abandoned and setting forth the date fixed for the hearing shall be (i)(a) served personally upon the recorded owner thereof, or his heirs, if the recorded owner is known by the cemetery to be dead and upon such heirs whose names and addresses have been filed with the cemetery, or (b) served by mailing the notice by registered mail to the last known address of the recorded owner thereof, or his heirs, if the recorded owner is known by the cemetery to be dead and to such heirs whose names and addresses have been filed with the cemetery, and (ii) published once a week for four consecutive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the city or town in which the cemetery is located. It shall be the duty of such recorded owner or his heirs to appear and answer to the allegations of a petition filed pursuant to § 57-39.3. Any such appearance and answer shall rebut the presumption of abandonment.1962, c. 264; 1964, c. 111; 2020, c. 669.
VA Code § 57-39.5 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.5. Judicial determination; conveyance of title

At the hearing authorized by § 57-39.4, the proofs of the parties or the petition in the event of the failure of the recorded owner or his heirs to appear and answer shall be presented, and the court shall determine if the unoccupied cemetery lot set forth in the petition has been abandoned. If the court enters a decree adjudging such lot to be abandoned, it shall further provide that the city, town, corporation, association, or trustees having ownership and charge of the cemetery containing any such lot shall have the right to sell such lot and to use the proceeds for the purposes provided by this article.1962, c. 264; 1964, c. 111; 2020, c. 669.
VA Code § 57-39.6 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.6. Sale of abandoned cemetery lot

At any time after entry of the decree adjudicating any unoccupied cemetery lot to be abandoned pursuant to § 57-39.5, the city, town, corporation, association, or trustees having ownership and charge of the cemetery containing any such lot may sell such lot in accordance with the rules and regulations of the cemetery then in force governing generally the sale of cemetery lots. Any proceeds derived from this sale shall first be used to defray the costs and expenses incurred in any abandonment proceedings. Unless otherwise directed by the court, the remaining balance shall be placed in a special fund, known as the "Perpetual Care Fund" of the cemetery, to be used by the cemetery solely for the future maintenance, care, and upkeep of the cemetery.1962, c. 264; 1964, c. 111; 2020, c. 669.
VA Code § 57-39.7 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.7. Applicability; abandonment determination limited in certain circumstances

Sections 57-39.2 through 57-39.6 shall be construed to apply to and authorize a determination of abandonment of any unoccupied part of a cemetery lot. In any proceeding to determine the abandonment of an unoccupied part of a cemetery lot, the court shall also determine what part, if any, shall be considered as having been abandoned. Such sections shall not be construed to apply to and authorize a determination of abandonment of (i) that part of a cemetery lot wherein there has been an interment, (ii) any cemetery lot or part thereof to which unrestricted fee simple title has been conveyed by a cemetery, or (iii) any cemetery lot or part thereof for which perpetual care has been provided by contract with the city, town, corporation, association, or trustees having ownership and charge of the cemetery containing any such lot or part thereof.1962, c. 264; 1964, c. 111; 1985, c. 414; 2020, c. 669.
VA Code § 57-39.19 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.19. Application of §§ 54.1-2818.1 through 54.1-2818.3

The provisions of §§ 54.1-2818.1 through 54.1-2818.3 shall apply to the cremation of any dead human body.1979, c. 724.
VA Code § 57-39.20 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.20. Definitions

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:"Burial right" means the right of interment."Interment" means the disposition of pet remains by earth burial, entombment in a mausoleum, or inurnment in a columbarium."Operator" means any person engaged in the business of selling or offering for sale any burial or interment right in a pet cemetery and representing to the public that such cemetery, single burial or interment right therein will be perpetually cared for."Perpetual care fund" means a fund created to provide income to a pet cemetery to provide care, maintenance, administration and embellishment of the pet cemetery."Pet" means an animal that has been adapted or tamed to live in intimate association with or for the pleasure of people and includes but is not limited to dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and hamsters."Pet cemetery" means land, together with any structures, facilities, or buildings appurtenant thereto provided to members of the public for use or reservation for use for the individual interment, above or below ground, of pet remains. "Pet cemetery" does not include land used exclusively for landfilling or the communal burial of pets, but does include an area where a portion of the land is used for the communal burial of pets.1996, c. 957.
VA Code § 57-39.21 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.21. Duty to file declaration of land use restriction

The owner of any land used or to be used as a pet cemetery shall file in the office of the clerk of the circuit court for the locality where the land is located a declaration restricting the use of the land to use as a pet cemetery. The owner shall execute the declaration in the same manner and with the same effect as a conveyance of an interest in land. The clerk shall record the declaration in the deed book and index it in the name of the owner. The restriction established in such a recorded declaration may be removed only as provided in § 57-39.24. Unless a restriction is so removed, no person shall use land restricted pursuant to this section for any purpose other than as a pet cemetery.1996, c. 957.
VA Code § 57-39.22 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.22. Certain representations unlawful; perpetual care trust fund required

A. Effective July 1, 1996, it shall be unlawful to sell or offer for sale in the Commonwealth any burial right in a pet cemetery, and in connection therewith to represent to the public, in any manner, express or implied, that the entire pet cemetery or any burial or interment right therein will be perpetually cared for, unless adequate provision has been made for the perpetual care of the cemetery and all burials and interment rights therein as to which such representation has been made.B. Each pet cemetery operator shall establish in a bank, savings and loan or other federally insured investment banking institution doing business in the Commonwealth an irrevocable trust fund in the amount of at least $12,000 before the first lot, parcel of land, burial or interment right is sold. This fund shall be designated the perpetual care fund.C. The moneys of a perpetual care fund shall be invested as provided by § 2.2-4519, Article 9 (§ 64.2-780 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 64.2, and §§ 64.2-1502 through 64.2-1506, except as provided otherwise herein.D. The income from the perpetual care fund shall be used only for the maintenance, supervision, improvement, and preservation of the grounds, lots, markers, memorials, buildings, equipment, statuary, and other real and personal property of the pet cemetery and for the payment of real property taxes. Annual reports of all the assets and investments of the perpetual care fund shall be prepared and maintained by the operator, and shall be available for inspection at reasonable times to any owner of a burial right in the pet cemetery. Such records shall be subject to examination by the commissioner of revenue.1996, c. 957; 1999, c. 772.
VA Code § 57-39.23 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.23. Change of address required from owner of burial right

It shall be the duty of a purchaser of a burial right in a pet cemetery to notify the operator of a change in address.1996, c. 957.
VA Code § 57-39.24 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.24. Removal of restriction on land

A. After a declaration has been filed pursuant to § 57-39.21, the restriction may be removed in accordance with this section by order of the circuit court for the locality where the land is located in a proceeding brought by the pet cemetery owner or his heirs or assigns.B. The circuit court may remove the restriction on the land upon proof satisfactory to the court that either of the following has occurred:1. No interments have been made in the land from which the restriction is sought to be removed; or2. If, after notice sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of a person who owns a burial right in a pet cemetery, the owner of the pet cemetery has received from such persons written authorization, acknowledged before a notary public, to remove the restriction from the land. If no response is received by the cemetery owner after thirty days from the date of the notice, consent to remove the restriction from the land shall be presumed. Any person granting this authorization who wishes to have a pet that is already interred in the pet cemetery removed and reinterred elsewhere shall so state on the authorization, and the pet cemetery owner shall provide proof of this removal and reinterment. A pet cemetery owner need not obtain the authorization described in this subdivision from a person who has purchased a burial right in the pet cemetery but who has not yet used that right for the interment of a pet, if the owner refunds to the purchaser or his heirs or assigns all moneys taken for the burial right, plus interest accrued in six-month increments, at a rate equal to the Federal Reserve Board discount rate as of January 1 of each year, beginning January 1, 1996.C. A holder of a lien on the restricted land may object to the removal of the restriction, and the circuit court shall consider any such objection before issuing an order to remove the restriction.D. An order issued by the circuit court removing a restriction pursuant to this section shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the circuit court for the locality where the land is located. The clerk shall record the order in the deed book.1996, c. 957.
VA Code § 57-39.25 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 57 - Religious and Charitable Matters; Cemeteries|Chapter 3 - Cemeteries|§ 57-39.25. Violation a misdemeanor

It shall be unlawful for any person to violate the provisions of § 57-39.22 of this article. Any such violation shall be deemed a Class 3 misdemeanor, and any person convicted of such violation shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of § 18.2-11.1996, c. 957.