LINDA, would you please say in which state this situation has happened. And second, there must be some department of state government that has authority over moving of a buried body or casket without first attempting to locate a relative to give permission. I recall reading on one of the lists about cemeteries contacting descendants of buried persons re a necessary removal. The government of that state doubtless has a general information 800 number and you could call to ask which department would be in charge. If you don't get a satisfactory answer, call the state's secretary of state and ask the same question. Also, you can go the courthouse for that county, ask the court clerk where is the register of deaths or permanent record of deaths for that county. There should be a formal record for each deceased person, including the date and place of burial, address of undertaker. If the undertaker is no longer in business, other undertakers or your local library may have received his boxes of records. Please keep us posted of your progress. This is a good example of why we should have a map of the cemetery where our loved one was buried, with the plot marked ... and give copies to other relatives. VIRGINIA