City To Reclaim Cemetery Spaces
Unused Burial Spots Must Be More Than 75 Years Old
Last updated Wednesday, March 23, 2005 10:14 PM CST in News
By Richard Dean Prudenti
The Morning News
SILOAM SPRINGS -- Siloam Springs officials are considering selling burial spaces in Oak Hill Cemetery unclaimed for more than 75 years.
They will do what they can to contact the owners or heirs of more than 5,000 unused burial spaces before selling them, according to Debbi Olsen, Siloam Springs cemetery director.
"It is highly doubtful that these spaces will ever be used," Olsen said, noting in 1880 the city began selling family plots containing six burial spaces. "Although spaces were often purchased for just a husband and wife, or the single unexpected burial, they were still required to buy six."
In 1935, the city revised its policy and started selling spaces three at a time. Eventually, the city sold the plots on an as-needed basis, Olsen told members of the Siloam Springs Board of Directors during a work session Tuesday.
Olsen recommends the city reclaim parcels abandoned for more the 75 years to extend the life of Oak Hill Cemetery. The cemetery otherwise has enough spaces for only 30 to 40 years.
"The goal is to utilize the land in the location as long as possible," she said.
Olsen plans to compile a list of eligible plots using cemetery maps, deeds and records. Board members encouraged her to verify the procedure for contacting last-known owners and heirs of plots and publish a notice of reversion in a local newspaper.
"Once we go through this process, there will be people who'll come forth (to claim their plots)," said Sue Anglin, board member.
If someone proves ownership after the city reclaims burial spaces, the city will return ownership if the space hasn't been sold. Otherwise, the city will surrender other property in the cemetery.
"We can add years to the longevity of this location while also providing many additional burial location choices to citizens," Olsen said.
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