Laws and regulations in Maryland are dictated by the Maryland General Assembly, following which laws can be found in several locations in the Annotated Code of Maryland. Many appropriate actions on behalf of burial grounds in Maryland are executed through the Office of Cemetery Oversight, a division of Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulations.
Business Regulations – Cemeteries
Maryland Historical Trust – Historic Cemetery Preservation
Property owners planning to rehabilitate or alter a burial site in existence for more than 50 years are required by Maryland law to consult with the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) for guidance on the proper treatment of grave markers, human remains, and the environment surrounding the burial site. See Md. Ann. Code, Real Property §§ 14-121, 14-121.1. To initiate the consultation process, please visit the MHT’s cemeteries website and complete the cemetery advice form
Office of Cemetery Oversight – Regulations
Preservation of Historic Cemeteries – Summary of Laws and Actions
Sunset Review – Evaluation of the Office of Cemetery Oversight [PDF 14 MB]