thank you to those who responded. For your information, here is what I sought: Q: Whose responsibility is it to take care of a local cemetery? Care and maintenance of a cemetery falls to the property owner. The property owner may be a private individual, association, organization, or municipality. If a cemetery has fallen into despair or has been abandoned, for five or more years, then the responsibility for the care of the cemetery reverts to the municipality the cemetery is located in. If the municipality fails to care for the cemetery, 6 or more interested persons can petition the circuit judge to order the municipality to care for the cemetery. The municipality will then be required to care for the cemetery as they provide for other cemeteries in the town. a.. Wisc. Stat 157.115(1)(b)2-(b)3. thanks again tracy reinhardt