523I.402 Removal of remains.

1. Upon a showing of good cause, a county cemetery commission may file suit in the district court in that county to have remains interred in a cemetery owned and operated by the commission removed to another cemetery. All persons in interest, known or unknown, other than the plaintiffs, shall be made defendants to the suit. If any parties are unknown, notice may be given by publication. After hearing and a showing of good cause for the removal, the court may order the removal of the remains and the remains shall be properly interred in another cemetery, at the expense of the county. The removal and reinterment of the remains shall be done pursuant to a disinterment permit issued under section 144.34 with due care and decency. In deciding whether to order the removal of interred remains, a court shall consider present or future access to the cemetery, the historical significance of the cemetery, and the wishes of the parties concerned if they are brought to the court’s attention, including the desire of any beneficiaries to reserve their rights to waive a reservation of rights in favor of removal, and shall exercise the court’s sound discretion in granting or refusing the removal of interred remains.

2. Any heir at law or descendent of a deceased person interred in a neglected cemetery may file suit in the district court in the county where the cemetery is located to have the deceased person’s remains interred in the cemetery removed to another cemetery. The owner of the land, any beneficiaries of any reservation of rights, and any other persons in interest, known or unknown, other than the plaintiffs shall be made defendants. If any parties are unknown, notice may be given by publication. After hearing and upon a showing of good cause, the court may order removal and the proper interment of the remains in another cemetery, at the expense of the petitioner. The removal and reinterment shall be done with due care and decency.

2005 Acts, ch 128, §40