Bellevue Masonic Temple, Inc. v. Lokken

This is an appeal from an order granting petitioner (respondent) permission to remove the remains of deceased persons from its property and reinter them in a dedicated cemetery.

During the early years of this century, a tract of land now owned by petitioner Bellevue Masonic Temple, Inc., was used as a burial ground. The area, known locally as “Pioneer Cemetery,” was never formally dedicated as a cemetery nor were deeds issued for the plots. The area is given no systematic or regular care and most of the 40 graves on the tract have now fallen into a state of disrepair.

Petitioner wishes to…