Rhode Island § 23-18-7 - Cemeteries

§ 23-18-7. Re-interment of bodies in structure becoming health menace.

Whenever a mausoleum, vault, crypt, or similar structure previously or hereafter erected and containing one or more deceased human bodies, shall, in the opinion of the city or town where the structure is located, become a menace to public health, and the owner or owners of the structure fail to repair or remove the structure to the satisfaction of the city or town, any court of competent jurisdiction may order the person, association, or other agency owning the structure to remove the body or bodies for interment in some suitable cemetery at the expense of the person, association, or other agency owning the mausoleum, vault, crypt, or similar structure. When no person, association, or any representative of any agency can be found in the county where the mausoleum, vault, crypt, or similar structure is located, then the removal and interment shall be at the expense of the cemetery or other agency where the mausoleum, vault, crypt, or similar structure may be located.