How would I go about exhuming a body?

Question

My mother passed away when I was 9 years old, and my family had her buried in her hometown, where she was born and raised.
The problem is, she HATED it in Fresno, and I don't think it's right for her to be buried there. I was in Fresno over the weekend, and i went to visit her, only to find that over the last ten years, only one person in the family has visited her, and that she STILL has no headstone.
So I spoke with my mom's twin (the only one who visits her) and asked if I had her blessing in exhuming my mother's body to Newport Beach (her favorite city). I also asked my brother (he was the executor of her estate), and he said that he'd purchase a headstone, and that I had his blessing to have her moved.

Now, I'm just wondering, how do I go about doing that?
And please, no answers of "I should leave her be," Fresno is the LAST place that she'd want her body laid to rest.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks in advance!!!

Answer 1

Call the cemetery where she is buried, they will have the procedure and who to call at hand, it's not a big deal.

In my state you have to file a court document showing all concerned parties have no objection (living relatives) and that sounds like it's already OK on your end so you shouldn't have any problem.

It is expensive, just to warn you. And for what it's worth, just ask yourself if your mother would want you to spend all that dough to move what's left of her earthly body (and she's no where near Fresno now) or take that same amount and do something meaningful in her memory for a cause that she cared about..... I bet it's the latter. Just think about it.

Answer 2

Your supposition that they always exhume bodies at night is nonsense. In fact, virtually all exhumations take place in the daytime when cemetery staff are working. In fact, I can't think of one ever taking place at night in the cemetery my uncle manages. Digging up a casket that is likely in a concrete burial vault is not an easy thing and requires a long time if done by hand with shovels or a good backhoe. Contrary to popular belief most exhumations take place not because of a court order but because relatives want the body moved to a different grave site or mausoleum space. You've been watching too many spooky movies.

Answer 3

I think that you need a court order to exhume a body, and for the reasons you are doing it most likely you will be denied. Good luck though. If your brother is in charge of her estate you might try to get his help. It would have been better if you had it in writing that she hated Fresno. My best advice is to consult a lawyer

Answer 4

Get in contact with the cemetery management. They've probably handled this type of request and should be able to provide some sound information.

When my mother-in-law passed away, we had my father-in-law exhumed and cremated and his ashes buried with grandma. The cemetery was very helpful with the process.

You'll also want a lawyer involved to handle any legal issues and cover all the bases.

Answer 5

Yes, talk to the cemetery to see how to get started. Fresno is entirely too hot to be buried in and I wouldn't want to be there either.

Answer 6

You are going to need to talk to the cemetery and the funeral home about disinternment.

There is usually a fee, but it also depends on what she was buried in. If the casket was wood - its may cost a little extra b/c the wood, obviously, deteriorates. If she was in a copper casket, it would be a little easier.

But you need to talk to the cemetery she is in now and the funeral home who helped your family during the burial.

Answer 7

You need a court order to exhume a body. You will most likely be denied to exhume her body for the reason you stated. Bodies are only exhumed if there are questions as to the cause or manner of death. If she died of natural causes, you won't be able to exhume her body for reburial.

Answer 8

You have to petition the courts for a court order. Talk to a lawyer.

Answer 9

Grab your shovel and a backhoe and head for the grave.