Final Resting places

[Hayden C. Wolfe]

My situation is rather complex. I live in the state of New York, mainly Western New, York, and I have helped take care of a Girl Scout Camp which also serves as a wildlife sanctuary. Recently, in an effort to make money, the Girl Scout board decided to put two of their camps up for sale: the one I take care of, and another which is relatively modern, landscaped, and devoid of the natural assets (a ravine, creeks, a waterfall, a dock on the Erie Canal) that my camp had. Recently, the camp in my care was signed over to an R.V. park developer: please note, nothing was sighned except a negotiated price. However, when it began to look like the camp was going to be sold, there was quite a concern over the issue of a final resting place. Throughout the camp, there are several monuments and memorials dedicated to girl scouts who died in their childhood. Recently, I learned that the ashes of a long time influential camp volunteer and her husband were either scattered or buried there in the camp by their children.

I really would like to see this place rescued from being developed on, and I wasn't sure if there were any laws prohibiting the developement on a person's final resting place. Does anyone know of any laws applicable here? Please e-mail me with any information as soon as possible. THANK YOU!

Hayden C. Wolfe
[email protected]

 

[msattorney]

I do not believe that places where ashes are scattered can be preserved as final resting places, but there are laws about cemetaries. Check with the county dept of public works as to any land use laws applicable. A good real estate attorney might be able to help also.