Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 368j - Cemeteries
Section 19a-315b. - Protection of grave markers.

No grave marker within any cemetery or burial place shall be destroyed, injured or removed except in accordance with the provisions of either this section or section 19a-315c. Any such grave marker may be removed for the purpose of reproduction, preservation or display in an accredited museum upon (1) (A) the consent of the owner of the burial rights for the lot in which such grave marker is placed or the consent of a lineal descendant of the deceased, whose qualifications for giving such consent shall be determined by the burial ground authority, or (B) if such owner or qualified lineal descendant is unknown or does not respond within thirty days to a request for consent sent by registered or certified mail to such person's last-known address, with the consent of the burial ground authority, and (2) the order of the probate court for the district in which such burial lot is located. Upon written application of such consenting owner, qualified lineal descendant or burial ground authority, the probate court may, after a hearing, with notice of such hearing having been given to the burial ground authority, the owner, the qualified lineal descendant, the Department of Economic and Community Development and otherwise as the court deems appropriate, order the removal of such grave marker if it finds that such removal is necessary or desirable for the protection and preservation of such grave marker.

(P.A. 84-280, S. 3; P.A. 85-319, S. 3; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 210(e); P.A. 04-20, S. 3; 04-205, S. 5; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2, S. 30; P.A. 11-48, S. 165.)
History: P.A. 85-319 made numerous changes concerning giving of consent and removed provisions concerning subjects covered by Sec. 19a-315c; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 and P.A. 04-20 replaced the Connecticut Historical Commission with the Connecticut Commission on Arts, Tourism, Culture, History and Film, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 04-205, effective June 3, 2004, and May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2, effective May 12, 2004, both replaced Connecticut Commission on Arts, Tourism, Culture, History and Film with Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism; P.A. 11-48 replaced “Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism” with “Department of Economic and Community Development”, effective July 1, 2011.
See Sec. 53a-218 re penalty for interference with cemetery or burial ground.
See Sec. 53a-219 re penalty for unlawful possession or sale of gravestones.

Structure Connecticut General Statutes