# Business Regulation (GBR)

## Title 5. Cemeteries

### Subtitle 5. Cemetery Property

#### Section 5-507

(a) In this section, "abandoned cemetery" means a cemetery for which:

  (1) legal ownership cannot be determined;

  (2) the person with legal responsibility for operation and maintenance of the cemetery cannot be determined;

  (3) the entity that operated the cemetery has ceased to operate; or

  (4) the real property on which the cemetery is located has been condemned.

(b)

  (1) The State, a county, or a municipality may acquire an abandoned cemetery, including ownership of any unoccupied lots or burial sites, for the purpose of transferring ownership of the abandoned cemetery to a descendant community organization, veterans organization, or nonprofit organization.

  (2) A descendent community organization, veterans organization, or nonprofit organization that agrees to the transfer of title of a cemetery under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall agree to properly maintain, preserve, and protect the cemetery.

(c) If a governmental entity that has acquired an abandoned cemetery under subsection (b) of this section is unable to transfer ownership of the abandoned cemetery within a reasonable period of time, the Director may facilitate the reinterment of any human remains or pet remains from the abandoned cemetery to an operational cemetery in a professional manner.

(d)

  (1) A governmental unit that acquires property on which an abandoned cemetery is located under subsection (b)(1) of this section shall make timely and reasonable efforts after acquisition to contact descendants of the deceased persons interred in the abandoned cemetery in order to identify descendants, a descendant community organization, veterans organization, or nonprofit organization to which the property may be transferred.

  (2)

    (i) A person or organization listed under subsection (b)(1) of this section may bring an action requesting the court to transfer property acquired by a governmental unit under this section to the person or organization.

    (ii) Within 6 months after a governmental unit is served in an action brought under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the court shall make a determination on the disposition of the property.

---

Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)