§ 24.2. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this article, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Abandoned cemetery. A cemetery which shows signs of neglect, including, without limitation, the unchecked growth of vegetation, repeated and unchecked acts of vandalism, or the disintegration of grave markers or boundaries and for which no person can be found who is legally responsible and financially capable of the upkeep of such cemetery.

Archaeologist. Any person who is a member of or meets the criteria for membership in the Society of Professional Archaeologists and can demonstrate experience in the excavation and interpretation of human graves.

Burial ground. An area dedicated to and used for interment of human remains. The fact that the area was used for burial purposes shall be evidence that it was set aside for burial purposes.

Burial object. Any item reasonably believed to have been intentionally placed with the human remains at the time of burial or interment or any memorial, tombstone, grave marker or shrine which may have been added subsequent to interment. Such terms also mean any inscribed or uninscribed marker, coping, curbing, enclosure, fencing, pavement, shelter, well, stoneware, pottery, or other grave object erected or deposited incident to or subsequent to interment.

CCCPC. The Cherokee County Cemetery Preservation Committee.

Cemetery. A place dedicated to and used, or intended to be used, for permanent interment of human remains. A cemetery may contain land or earth interments; mausoleum, a vault, crypt interments; a columbarium or other structure or place used or intended to be used for the inurnment of cremated human remains; or any combination of one or more of such structures or places.

County coroner. A person elected pursuant to law as county coroner.

Descendant. A person or group of persons related to a deceased human by blood or adoption in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 19-1-1 et seq., as amended.

Family burial ground. A defined plot of land upon which are located not more than approximately 20 graves.

Genealogist. A person who traces or studies the descent of persons or families and prepares a probative record of such descent.

Human remains. The bodies of deceased human beings in any stage of decomposition, including cremated remains.

Marker. A small individual memorial placed at either the head or foot of a grave. This is sometimes referred to as a headstone or footstone.

Notifying. To develop and implement a plan pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 36-72-5, as amended.

Preserve and protect. To keep safe from destruction, peril, or other adversity and may include the placement, of signs, markers, fencing, or other such appropriate features so as to identify the site as a cemetery or burial ground and so as to aid in the preservation and protection of such cemetery or burial ground.

Private cemetery. A cemetery used only by a small segment of a community or by a family, where burials or interments of human remains are made, in which sales or transfers of interment rights or burial plots are not made to the public and in which not more than 20 interments or burials occur annually. Generally, the private cemetery will not exceed ten acres in area.

Public cemetery. A cemetery open for use by the community at large, where burials or interments of human remains are made, in which sales or transfers of interment rights or burial plots are made available to the public and in which there is no limit on the internments or burials annually. Cemeteries established after the effective date of this ordinance will donate seven percent of the total available burial sites to the county for indigent burials.

(Ord. No. 2012-Z-002, Att., 7-24-12)