Winter Park to Reclaim Unused Burial Plots A new ordinance allows the City of Winter Park to reclaim and resell unused burial plots in certain cases. City commissioners say there are hundreds of plots that could be abandoned, and space is at a premium. [Image of Palm Cemetery courtesy of Winter Park City Government] The Palm Cemetery has in operation since 1906. It is considered a part of Winter Park history – even city founder Loring Chase is buried there. City commissioners are concerned that too soon Winter Park residents will lose the option to lay loved ones to rest in their hometown, since there are only about 1,500 plots left available. But after some research, cemetery employees have discovered an additional 225 plots may have been abandoned by their owners.
The
recently-passed ordinance lets the city reclaim and resell plots owned by
people who, for example, have died with no heirs and been buried elsewhere, or
who have been out of touch with
the city and unreachable for more than 50 years. Moody
says the proceeds are designated for cemetery upkeep. |
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