As far as I'm aware, there are two mechanisms: first, a deed  
reservation allowing visitation, burials, and upkeep, sometimes along  
a specific road or path would have legal status. Second, if it can be  
shown that the family has visited the graveyard regularly, then a de  
facto right of ingress and egress would have been established. Absent  
those, if the landowner chose, it is private property and subject to  
landowner whim. It is also illegal for a landowner or anyone else to  
knowingly disturb a grave.

  If you search the Code of Virginia which is online, that should  
provide statutory evidence.

Lyle Browning


On Jun 2, 2008, at 10:36 AM, Henry Wiencek wrote:

> Is there a Virginia law that compels the owners of a cemetery,  
> located on
> private property, to grant reasonable access to relatives of the  
> deceased?
>
> I believe this question has come up before, but a quick search  
> through the
> list archives didn't turn up the answer.
>
> Henry Wiencek
> Charlottesville
>
> ______________________________________
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the  
> instructions at
> http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html

______________________________________
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html