Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites in the Great State of Ohio

Dedicated to cemetery preservation in the great state of Ohio


"A cemetery may be considered as abandoned when all or practically all of the bodies have been Removed therefrom and no bodies have been buried therein for a great many years, and the cemetery has been so long neglected as entirely to lose its identity as such, and is no longer known, recognized and respected by the public as a cemetery. 1953 OAG 2978."

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Sharing a Story about The Loudon (AKA Loudon Township) Cemetery - Fostoria, Ohio - An Unregistered Cemetery that is "Registered" as being Inactive - Please Don't Let the use of the word "Registered" cause confusion


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Below are the comments made during the last Fostoria City Council meeting (June 5, 2018) regarding the Loudon Cemetery in Fostoria.:

"Separately, council passed an ordinance ratifying the operation of the Loudon Cemetery by the city of Fostoria and declaring that no burials have occurred there in the past 25 years.
Nothing will significantly change in terms of operation of the cemetery, nor will it be moved. The cemetery was part of the property brought into the city when the Muirfield Place neighborhood was annexed, according to Keckler.
The legislation came before council in response to the Ohio Department of Commerce, which is in charge of cemeteries and their operations. Since there has not been a burial in the cemetery since 1957, the state agency recommended the cemetery be registered as inactive.
The ordinance allows Loudon Cemetery to be registered per the agency’s request."
My Thoughts:
The statements about the Loudon Cemetery to be 'registered' as an inactive cemetery, its status being due to not having burials in the past 25 years, is in truth not a registered cemetery in the state of Ohio because only active cemeteries can be registered.

Thus, if we would place a heading on a column for inactive cemeteries, we would not be putting the word "Registered" in the title heading for those that have been inactive for 25 calendar years or more; meaning no interments during that time.

The choice of words - "Registered" might be a bit confusing for some who might believe that this cemetery is being considered to be a registered cemetery, however, because of its inactive status, it is not. 

Only active and registered cemeteries are eligible to have complaints against those responsible for them filed with the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission. The Commission does not accept complaints regarding inactive, and thus unregistered, cemeteries.


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