Meinhard Cemetery near Troy Grove is treated under Illinois law as a private family cemetery and a historic burial ground.
That means:
It is protected under Illinois cemetery preservation laws.
It is not regulated like a commercial cemetery.
It is subject to LaSalle County zoning and land‑use rules.
It is covered by Illinois Historic Cemetery Protection Act rules.
If a cemetery is on private land and a
descendant or heir has documented ownership or control, that person is legally
responsible for its care and upkeep.
This comes from:
- Illinois Cemetery Protection Act
(765 ILCS 835)
- Illinois Human Skeletal Remains
Protection Act (20 ILCS 3440)
- Illinois Burial and Cremation Act
(410 ILCS 18)
- LaSalle County land‑use and
cemetery oversight rules
Who is legally responsible for
Meinhard Cemetery?
✔ You, because you
have documented ownership/descendant rights
✔ The landowner (if
different from you)
✔ Any co‑owners
listed on the deed or family documents
❌ Not the county
❌ Not the township
❌ Not the state
❌ Not a cemetery
district (Meinhard is not part of one)
LaSalle County does not maintain historic family cemeteries
unless:
- They are abandoned and
- No descendant or owner can be
identified
You do have documentation, so the county will not assume
maintenance.
What responsibilities fall on you?
Required (by law):
- Prevent damage to stones
- Prevent disturbance of graves
- Keep vegetation from destroying
markers
- Maintain safe access
- Ensure no illegal dumping or
vandalism
- Keep records of any new
interments (including cremains)
Optional (your choice):
- Mowing
- Brush clearing
- Prairie restoration
- Fence repair
- Stone stabilization (non‑invasive)
Restricted (requires county
notification):
- Moving stones
- Deep digging
- Removing native prairie
vegetation
- Burning brush
- Adding structures or fencing
·
What about interring cremains?
·
Because you are the documented descendant/owner:
·
✔ You may authorize
cremains interment
·
✔ You may choose the
burial location
·
✔ You file the burial
permit with LaSalle County
·
✔ You record the
interment for legal protection
What you need to do to inter
cremains legally
Here is the exact process for LaSalle County:
Step 1 — Contact LaSalle County Clerk
Ask for:
- Burial permit for cremains
This is simple and usually same‑day.
Step 2 — Choose a location
Requirements:
- Must not disturb existing graves
- Must not require deep digging
- Should be in an unused portion of
the cemetery
- Should avoid prairie‑restoration
zones if present
Step 3 — Inter the cremains
Allowed methods:
- Direct placement in soil
- Biodegradable urn
- Shallow trench (4–6 inches)
- No vaults or concrete containers
Step 4 — Record the burial
Illinois requires:
- Name of decedent
- Date of interment
- Burial location
- Who authorized the burial (you)
This protects you legally and protects the cemetery.
Cremains Interment Authorization Letter (Illinois – Historic Family Cemetery)
Meinhard Cemetery Troy Grove, LaSalle County, Illinois
Date: __________________________
To: LaSalle County Clerk LaSalle County Government Center Ottawa, Illinois
Subject: Authorization for Interment of Cremated Remains
I, ________________________________________, am a documented descendant and authorized representative/owner of Meinhard Cemetery, located near Troy Grove in LaSalle County, Illinois. I hold legal documentation confirming my family’s ownership and stewardship of this historic family cemetery.
In accordance with the Illinois Cemetery Protection Act (765 ILCS 835) and the Illinois Burial and Cremation Act (410 ILCS 18), I hereby authorize the interment of cremated remains for the following individual:
Name of Decedent: __________________________________________ Date of Death: __________________________________________ Funeral Director / Crematory: __________________________________________
Location of Interment
The cremains will be placed in a shallow interment (typically 4–6 inches) in a location that does not disturb any existing graves, does not require deep excavation, and is consistent with the preservation of the cemetery’s historic and prairie character.
Specific Location Within Cemetery:
Container Type
(Choose one)
☐ Biodegradable urn
☐ Direct placement of cremains
☐ Other (describe): __________________________________________
Compliance Statement
I affirm that this interment will be conducted in compliance with all applicable Illinois laws, including:
Filing of a burial permit with the LaSalle County Clerk
Proper recording of the interment location
Preservation of existing graves, markers, and prairie vegetation
No use of vaults or concrete containers
Authorization
I hereby grant full permission for this interment and accept responsibility for maintaining the cemetery in accordance with Illinois law.
Signature: __________________________________________ Printed Name: __________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________________ Email: __________________________________________
