About Us
We believe that history shouldn’t be trapped in a textbook, it should be felt, visited, and cared for. The Rhode Island Historic Cemetery group is a collective of genealogists, historians, and local volunteers united by a single purpose: to keep our state’s rich history accessible to all
Meet Our Team
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gravesite?
Gravesites are often called cemeteries but can also be burying grounds, burial grounds, bone yards or graveyards.
Does Rhode Island have laws that protect burial sites?
1. It is against the law to disturb the ground within 25 feet of a cemetery without permission from the town.
2. It is a felony (Rhode Island General Law 11-41-32, Rhode Island General Law 23-18-11) to remove or destroy gravestones from a cemetery without the permission of the town.
3. It is a felony (Rhode Island General Law 11-41-32, the Leona Kelley Act) to remove fencing or stone walls around a cemetery without the permission of the town.
4. State cemetery laws apply to public and privately owned burial sites.
5. If you wish to subdivide a property that contains a cemetery, the 25 ft. buffer may affect any plan.
6. Guidance for subdividing property can be requested from the RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission. At this time the contact person is Charlotte Taylor (charlotte.taylor@preservtaion.ri.gov)
Is there a place to find out where someone is buried?
1. The Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Commission website, rihistoriccemeteries.org, contains an online database documenting with many burials in Rhode Island.
2. “Find A Grave” has individual burial information.
3. Local historical societies may have additional information.
4. Funeral homes are a potential source of information especially if you know the date of the death or burial
5. Active cemeteries should have records of previous burials in their site.
Are there rules about visiting burial sites?
1. Yes. Active cemeteries often post rules for visitors to follow.
2. Rhode Island has many burial sites located on privately owned property. To visit these sites, you must get the permission of the owner of the land. It doesn’t matter if your family is buried on the site, the current owner must grant permission for you to visit.
3. Some burial sites on private property have a public right-of-way. This allows members of the public to visit the site. Check plat maps at the Townhall to see if right of way exists; do not assume anything.
4. Always let the homeowner know that you will be planning to go on the property for the purpose of visiting the cemetery.
Who takes care of burial sites?
1. There is no state or municipal agency responsible for maintaining historical cemeteries. Local municipalities are only responsible for maintaining burial sites that are publicly owned.
2. Burial sites are owned by companies, municipalities, religious organizations, and individuals. Some sites have no owner of record.
3. Active cemeteries are operated and maintained by companies or organizations.
4. Many historic cemeteries that are no longer active are maintained by volunteers. Contact the RI Cemetery Commission to volunteer to help.
5. The Rhode Island Cemetery Association is an organization that promotes the best practices in operating cemeteries. They are a valuable resource for cemetery owners looking for assistance.
Can I be buried in an historic burial site?
You can be buried in an historic burial site if you or your family own unused lots in the site or if burial lots are currently being sold, or if granted permission from the owner of record. If there is no owner of record, permission generally comes from the municipality. Most of the time they ask for a familial relationship or your relationship with the land or property. Before anyone can be buried within a historic cemetery, it must be verified that there is no current occupant of that plot, using GPR, intense probing, or sub surface scraping.