StarBulletin.com

No state law on private sales of burial plots


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POSTED: Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Question: My sister's 3-year-old daughter died in 1972. She was cremated and inurned in a four- to six-urn plot in a cemetery on Oahu. My sister recently made arrangements to remove her daughter's urn and take it to the Big Island, where she now lives. We asked about the possibility of selling the plot and were told by the mortuary that it (mortuary) would try to sell it (the plot), but that it is considered “;used.”; Are there rules or regulations about reselling a used plot? Is my sister allowed to place an ad in the paper to sell it herself? I see ads for cemetery plots for sale. I am assuming those are the larger burial-type plots, never used.

Answer: The state law that governs the conduct of licensed cemeteries and pre-need funeral authorities does not cover the type of private sales you are asking about, said JoAnn Uchida, complaints officer with the state Regulated Industries Complaints Office.

She also said she is not aware of any restriction on such sales.

However, Uchida recommends checking with the mortuary regarding procedures and contractual requirements relating to resales, including the kinds of paperwork that the cemetery will require to show the transfer of ownership.

To avoid any future misunderstandings, she also said your sister may wish to advise the prospective buyer to check with the cemetery regarding interment, marker and other costs that may be incurred at the time of burial.

Q: When the state Department of Transportation created the temporary bypass on the H-1 freeway between Kunia and Makakilo, the speed limits were 50 mph. Now that the bypass area is back to normal, the posted 50 mph signs are still there in the westbound lanes. On the eastbound lanes, however, there are conflicting signs: one 50 mph and, almost directly across from it, a 60 mph sign. Can you please verify which speed limit is correct for eastbound and westbound lanes and when corrective measures will be taken?

A: The state Department of Transportation thanks you for bringing the conflicting signs to its attention.

The 60-mph sign was removed “;immediately”; after we asked about the speed limits, said Transportation Department spokeswoman Tammy Mori.

The temporary bypass, which moved traffic around the construction area of the North-South Road overpass, was rerouted back onto the H-1 freeway in December.

The speed limit in the area will remain at 50 mph throughout the duration of construction of the North-South Road, Mori said.

The road, which will connect the H-1 to Kapolei Parkway, is scheduled to be completed early next year.

MAHALO

To Don Bongo, who helped us jump our car battery when it died in the parking lot at Burger King on Hickam Air Force Base on Friday, March 27. Don took my husband to the service station to get jumper cables, then brought him back and helped us jump-start our battery. We are very appreciative because we have Triple A, but they couldn't get on base without us sponsoring them at the gate, which would have meant walking three miles. Thanks from a grateful Marine. — Bill and Jane

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