Caernarvon Township TWP., PA. - No trespassing signs are all around the Rock Church Cemetery in Caernarvon Township Township, Berks County. The property owners, NNR Real Estate Ventures, have filed a lawsuit stating they do not want people on the property and that they do not want people to be buried there. The lawsuit states they did not know it was an active cemetery when they purchased the property in 2010.
"There is no case law that really clearly says whether when that person owns the right to bury still has that right when someone else owns the property," said Beth Auman, from Hartman, Valeriano, Magovern & Lutz PC. Auman is assisting families involved.
She spoke at a House Policy Committee Hearing that was held at the Township building on Tuesday. It was called to discuss what legislators maybe able to do about the situation. They specifically discussed House Bill 2228, Reasonable Family Access to Cemeteries. The bill would allow for people to visit graves even if they are on private property.
"We're going to look at things legislatively to try to assist people with that access, still try to be respectful of private property owners, but hopefully try to clear this up so we don't have more of these," said Kenny Benninghoff, House majority policy chairman.
Due to the pending litigation the owners did not attend the hearing.