An effort to address Metro’s inventory of unclaimed burial spaces is underway.
To facilitate the processing of your claim, download the burial space claim form below and return to the following address. Claims will be processed in the order received.
Metro Cemeteries
Attn: Historic Spaces
600 NE Grand Ave.
Portland, OR 97232
Questions? Contact Metro at
[email protected] or 503-797-1933.
An effort to address Metro’s inventory of unclaimed burial spaces is underway. As part of that effort, Metro is trying to find historic owners or descendants who believe that they have an ownership interest in an unclaimed burial space in a Metro cemetery.
If you think you might have an ownership interest in an unclaimed burial space in any of Metro’s fourteen cemeteries, please contact Metro.
What is an unclaimed burial space?
Oregon law SB1537 defines “unclaimed burial space” as a burial space in a cemetery: “(a) That has not been used for purposes of interment for at least 75 years by the record owner of the burial space or by a party claiming through the record owner of the burial space; and (b) For which the cemetery authority has no record of any verbal or written contact for a period of at least 75 years with the record owner of the burial space or with a party claiming through the record owner of the burial space.”
What is the process for reclaiming unclaimed burial spaces?
Under SB1537, a cemetery authority can reclaim unclaimed burial spaces after formally adopting an inventory of the spaces, providing notice to the owners and their descendants, and allowing 120 days for claimants to come forward with evidence of ownership.
On July 25, 2013, the Metro Council approved an inventory of unclaimed burial spaces in Metro’s cemeteries (Metro resolution 13-4444). Metro is now attempting to notify owners and their descendants that they must file a claim establishing lawful ownership in order to avoid losing their interest in the unclaimed burial spaces.
Why is Metro undertaking the reclamation process?
Metro has dedicated over two years to analyzing its cemeteries’ burial records in an effort to improve record keeping and clarify the status of ownership rights. Due to the historic nature of Metro’s pioneer cemeteries, many burial spaces have gone unclaimed, leaving Metro with no knowledge of the current owners or their desire to use the spaces. By undertaking the reclamation process, Metro hopes to locate owners or descendants who wish to maintain their interest in any unclaimed burial spaces. If no claimants come forward, the reclamation process will allow Metro to make unwanted spaces available once again to members of the community. In both cases, a final resolution of ownership claims will enable Metro to improve its stewardship of the pioneer cemeteries and move forward in its commitment to responsibly care for these historic assets.
How do I file a claim?
In order to maintain your interest in any unclaimed burial spaces, you must file a claim with Metro by mail, email, or phone using the contact information provided above. To establish the validity of your claim, you must be able to present documentation that you are the lawful owner of the space(s) or that you hold a security interest in the space(s). Please download the attached burial space claim form and return the completed form to the above address to facilitate the processing of your claim.
When do I have to file my claim?
You have 120 days from the date that Metro first provided notice to file your claim. Metro is providing notice to owners of unclaimed burial spaces in groups, meaning that the deadline for filing a claim depends on your notice group.
Group 1 burial spaces are listed in the attachment below. Aug. 21, 2013 is the notice date for Group 1. The deadline for filing a Group 1 claim is Dec. 19, 2013.