Cass County, ND
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Colleen Lanners was appointed by the Cass County Commission to become the Cass County Cemetery Sexton in 2023. The role of the cemetery sexton includes the following:
- Recording responsibilities when an unattended, previously unknown grave or group of graves comes to the County’s attention.
- Level grounds and raise markers at Springvale Cemetery and the known abandoned cemeteries within Cass County.
- Facilitating the burial process at Springvale Cemetery when contacted.
North Dakota Century Code:
NDCC Chapter 23-06 describes the statutory responsibilities related to ‘Care & Custody of the Dead.’ Several statutes speak specifically to county responsibilities.
NDCC 23-06-30 describes the county responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of abandoned cemeteries. Required maintenance includes mowing once a year, restoring gravestones to their original placement (markers can settle over time), and “…… perform any other general maintenance necessary to maintain the dignity and appearance of the grounds.” The statute also describes a process for newly discovered abandoned cemeteries to be registered with the state and become the responsibility of the county.
NDCC 23-06-21 requires a cemetery sexton for all ‘persons, corporations, municipalities, associations, and organizations owning, conducting, or maintaining a cemetery or plot for the burial of dead human bodies.’
Perpetual Care Cemeteries are described in NDCC 23-21.1-02. These cemeteries are supported financially by a Perpetual Care fund. In Cass County there are two such cemeteries: Riverview Cemetery and Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Both are licensed annually through the Cass County Recorder’s Office after filing appropriate paperwork with the district court.