City Council Extends Claim Deadline For Cemetery Lots That Have Been Unused For More Than 60 Years
ST. GEORGE— On July 6, the St. George City Council passed a resolution to extend a deadline from June 26, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2023 to claim cemetery lots that appear to be abandoned. These lots have been unused for more than 60 years.
After giving the required notice, Utah state law authorizes the City to terminate the rights of any owner who fails to submit a claim to keep or transfer the lot within 30 days of the last date of service of publication of the resolution — which would have been June 26, 2023. However, due to receiving a number of inquiries, the City Council extended the deadline to Dec. 31, 2023.
After a list of lots was published in May, City Recorder Christina Fernandez has heard from approximately 50 percent of the lot owners’ descendants to retain ownership. Fernandez is working with these descendants to keep the lots within the family. She hopes to hear from all the families on the list and will continue to work with each person who submits a valid claim to transfer the lot to an heir or descendant.
Call her at 435-627-4003 to claim rights to the lots.
Priority goes to the highest degree of descendant. Any living child, grandchild, or great-grandchild will need to provide proof that all interested heirs or descendants agree to the disposition of the lot.
Lots will be reclaimed by the City on January 1, 2024, if no inquiries on the lot have been made or if the transfer has not been completed, meaning each of the required forms for transfers have not been received by Dec. 31, 2023.
Prior to any lot being transferred, cemetery staff will inspect the lot to ensure that it is vacant and appears useful for burial. To view a copy of the resolution, including a list of the lots, visit: sgcity.org/notice/5714.
