New York Cemetery Preservation Law - Please let us know about additional current or pending New York cemetery protection laws.

According to the New York State Cemeteries Division, there are no laws or regulation governing burial plots or sites that are on private property. There are no New York State laws or regulation against a private property owner removing headstones and using the property for any other use that suited the owner. In the event that a grave should be disturbed in any of the 4000+ cemeteries which are classified as municipal, religious, family or private cemeteries, no laws or regulation has been broken and it is only a matter for health environment issues.

• Cemetery Regulation in New York State

 New York State Government

• New York State Website
• New York State Archives
• New York State Division of Cemeteries
• The Association of Public Historians of New York State

Do you know of a cemetery that is in danger of destruction or has been abandoned?  Click Here to submit an Endangered Cemetery Report.