OK what would you do? Attn: Lawyers!

[Irish George]

I am not normally a visitor to relatives gravesites, but I did mention looking at Walt Whitman's grave the other day.

While I was in the area, I stopped by the plot where my father, grandfather, grandmother and an aunt and uncle are buried. I hadn't been there in decades.

So I locate the stone. Its got all of the above names and dates on it. Then I notice at the top of the stone a new name has been added "Charles" with the date of death 2001.

Problem is, I have no relative with that name. I know of no relative who died in 2001.

Is there a stranger buried with my relatives? Did some idiot simply fuck up and chisel "Charles" on the wrong stone?

So I go to the cemetery office and the woman pulls the records and confirms all of my relatives who are supposed to be there are there and that to their knowledge, nobody named "Charles" is buried in that plot. However, there is supposed to be one vacant burial spot there.

So the mystery remains. She said they could poke some kind of instrument into the ground when the weather breaks to determine if there's another body buried there. She said the cemetery has no responsibility over the engraving of the stone.

Not sure what to do here. Threaten to sue the cemetery? Get the names of all the monument engravers who work there and sue them? Do nothing?

[Kelly Green]

I'd Start With Your Oldest Living Relative

I don't know your family situation with respect to how many aunts and uncles you had -- I would be relegated to asking my oldest cousin who's about 15 years older than me -- but if your "Uncle Fred" is still with us, grill him.

Just because you don't know of a Charles doesn't mean he wasn't a real person. My cousin had a half-sister I never met but I know for a fact she was an actual person. My first wife's dad also had a half-sister who was alive but never showed up at any family functions and neither he nor his mother would talk about her.

Charles could also be the "black sheep of the family" -- mom and dad disagreed with his choice of wife, occupation, etc. and they disowned him. You probably have already thought of all this by yourself, but if not it...

[Drama Queen]

That's a grave error, but it makes for an interesting plot.

Whatever you decide, don't let the cemetery chisel you out... and don't fall for the excuse that they are buried in work.

[Irish George]

I'm dying to get this resolved

when I finally do, Im going to enjoy a cold one.

[Irish George]

I am certain...

there is no sheep of any color named Charles in my family.

But seriously...there isn't. And it would be impossible for anyone in my clan to ahve died and buried in that plot without me hearing about it before now.

[Riccardo]

That's weird

when I finally do, Im going to enjoy a cold one.

Sell the plot to someone named Charles!

[Irish George]

what if he's already in there?

I wont be able to find that out until they get a warm enough weekday.

Honestly part of me feels violated, but another part of me says WTF can I do about it?

At the very least I think the cemetery should owe me a new stone.

[Raptor]

I agree

That's a grave error, but it makes for an interesting plot.

Whatever you decide, don't let the cemetery chisel you out... and don't fall for the excuse that they are buried in work.

they are dead wrong in not providing more help digging for information and I wouldn't take it laying down.

[Irish George]

yes, they stiffed me

the time for them making excuses has expired.

[Susquehanna Birder]

Forget it and go get stoned.

[Drama Queen]

Sounds like the cemetery just wants to poke around for answers. If they unearth something, make sure you're informed first.

[Drama Queen]

I just hope IG can lay it to rest.

[TerpEagle]

These puns are killing me.

[J Con]

probably a pet

[slag]

How about this?

Well, if he's properly memorialized his agreement with them, competent representation should be able to leave them in his or her litigious wake.