Examining Ohio Attorney General Opinion No. 2007 - 005 - What constitutes a "Family Cemetery" and Registration Requirements.

Ohio Revised Codes Section 4767.02

"(D) Sections 4767.02 to 4767.04 of the Revised Code do not apply to or affect a family cemetery or a cemetery in which there have been no interments during the previous twenty-five calendar years.
As used in this division, "family cemetery" means a cemetery containing the human remains of persons, at least three-fourths of whom have a common ancestor or who are the spouse or adopted child of that common ancestor."

The Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission 

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I feel it is important to keep in mind that the Ohio Attorney General Opinions do have a unique value as a resource to research and reference when answering questions regarding the meaning of the content of these Ohio Revised Codes which can have references to other codes included in some of the paragraphs. The "OAG" Opinions are helpful to clear up misunderstandings.

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A Consumer Guide to Ohio Cemeteries

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**Remember that family cemeteries are not eligible to be Registered, and as such complaints regarding their care cannot be brought to the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission because they are Not Registered!

Any problem issues have to be worked out with whoever owns the cemetery and is responsible for it.**

Sharing from "The Reporting Project" - Licking County, Ohio.: "Popeye Thompson Family Cemetery" & Taking a look at Ohio's small family cemeteries in general.

Sharing from "The Reporting Project" in Licking County, Ohio. "See You Down the Road: A family cemetery's unusual location near Alexandria" 

By Margo Ellis - February 12, 2026
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The "Popeye Thompson Family Cemetery" on Find a Grave.
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It isn't often when we discuss the small family cemeteries in Ohio that we stop to consider that there are some that are in the category of burials within the past 25 years - which would place them in the "Active" category. Thus, since also there is space for future burials perhaps, this small cemetery fits that description and will for some years to come. However, their other designation is that they are a small family cemetery and on private property. 
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Normally, most Active cemeteries are eligible to be Registered.  A Registered Cemetery is afforded stronger protections than those that are not.  

One of those protections lies with the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission. The OCDRC accepts complaints about cemetery problems and acts upon them with follow ups to those who are responsible for a cemetery's care.  The OCDRC will not  accept complaints regarding cemeteries that are not Registered, thus making it less likely problems will be resolved in a timely manner for those cemeteries.   
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We need to learn more about these family cemeteries.  

How many of them are there in Ohio?  After asking the question online which as we know now is answered by "AI" (which has some disclaimers included), I was lead to several links.  

One paragraph of many that is included is shown as such.:
"Registered vs. Unregistered: As of May 2024, there are over 4,100 registered cemeteries in Ohio. Since family cemeteries and those with no burials in the last 25 years do not have to register, thousands of "tiny, abandoned family graveyards" make up the difference between the registered count and the ~14,000+ total estimate."

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Thus, according to my calculations there are roughly 9,900 of those "tiny abandoned family graveyards" in Ohio.  

Sadly, these marginalized cemeteries are fading fast -- and too much history has already been lost because of it.

So, it was quite exciting to read this account of the Popeye Thompson Family Cemetery.  

It now has a greater hope that its legacy will endure much longer because of those who shared its family history story.   
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Find a Grave Spotlights "Graves to Love" for Valentine's Day 2026 - And we can visit the graves we love too !

Sharing a "Happy Valentine's Day" post from Find a Grave's blog entitled: "Graves to Love". 

The examples that Find a Grave shares are quite befitting for the special day that has been set aside to honor enduring love and devotion during lifetimes and reaching beyond the boundaries of time. 

The exquisite carvings on these marvelous monuments, many erected over a hundred years ago, showcase the stories of eternal love and devotion that are so appropriate to ponder on a day like Valentine's Day. 

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Some views from All Saints Cemetery in Northfield, Summit County, Ohio.: 

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