Reply to Bruce: { please do not take my reply personal} In connection with a new stone replacing an old stone... If the stone is a hundred years old and there are now numerous "family" only a phone call away... then who owns it, and who gets to make decisions? What if one particular descendent unilaterally decides to replace a beautiful old marble monument, in almost perfect condition, with a new granite model? There is nothing in this for the cemetery -- no fee, no donation (but there should be). Just extra work that no one gets paid to do. Who should have to spend time calling other descendents for a decision respecting the fate of the old stone -- the cemetery volunteer or the guy who spent the money on the new stone? Or is the old stone's fate entirely his to decide? What's the easiest way to deal with the old stone? The reality is.... when the machinery comes in with the new stone, the machinery can very quickly break up and bury the old one. This is indeed a problem. Replacing an old stone with a new stone should involve a substantial donation to the cemetery. The old stone should be carefully lifted, its base removed and then it should be laid flat on the ground in front of the new stone. Bruce McCowan, P.Eng. www.scarboroughrecord.com You are wrong. The person who paid for the stone owns the rights to it if not available then the Direct next of kin. This could get a bit sticky. Do we not owe it to the family to give them a call or letter? Why must money always be a reason to do the right thing? The people coming in and replacing the new stone are being PAID to do their job and return the cemetery the way they founded it. It is up to the people repairing or replacing the stone to do their job right which includes taking proper care of the stone they take down. The family paying for the stone have the right to chose what they want done with the stone . whether it is to have it replaced next to the new stone or take it home or whatever. The stone they replace is own by them. Why should a cemetery get more money for a new stone when all it involves is merely showing the crew the right stone to replaced? After all ( the cemetery caretaker or owner of the cemetery) is being paid to do their job. It is wrong to place stones lying on the ground. Laying the stone down will make it easier to stone to be directly effect by the elements ( including acid rain) To place the stone next to the newest one might be the wisest choice. Care is always taken when removing a stone..... . The bottom line is this, the person who own the plot owns the right to do with their plot as long as they don't break any bylaws. ( Did you know that when you purchase a plot in a cemetery you should get the bylaws given to you? The person who replaces the stones owns it. Some cemeteries do ask for an inspection fee to make sure the monument etc is going to the right place. The fee varies. By the way, I am not a expert, but I have ran a municipal cemetery plus my husband works in more than 500 cemeteries replacing old stones , repairing them and also trying his best to respect the loved ones finale resting place. If we are unhappy with tombstones being sold, then let's do something positive about it and get the law changed or at least have direction on how it should be disposed of? Sheila