What is a cemetery’s responsibility concerning maintenance of gravesite/planted shrubs/and head or footstones, and cement base of headstone?
Location: Houston, Tx. I’m not sure this goes under Consumer Law, as maybe it’s Contracts? Anyway, I went to visit my family plot yesterday at a VERY well-known, huge local cemetery that’s been there for decades. My family plot was bought by my father in 1980 when my brother died. The headstone was purchased then as well and my brother’s footstone marker. When I went yesterday for Mother’s Day (my parents are also interred there), the headstone and granite base were GONE. I was never notified of this…when, why or how. We went to speak with someone and the “marker person” had just left. They are supposed to call me today but just KNOW they’re going to try to put it on us to replace and “repour” the concrete as it shifted over the decades. Sorry…my QUESTION is: what are the expectations of maintenance of any given cemetery which is still very much in operation/running? What did my father get for his dollar? There is a big bush on ine side that the guy said maybe it pushed it over so whose fault would that be and can it even be proven? Whose responsibility would it be to keep the ground level so stones don’t fall over and break? Is that on the purchaser? A bush on the other side died but the other one is fine. It looks like it has NEVER been pruned. I just want to be ready for bear when they call and this was very upsetting to say the least to find on Mother’s Day. Thank you for any and all help.
P.s. I do have the original deed but haven’t looked at any of the other paperwork yet. Fairly certain I have a receipt for the stones.