Wife Gets Buried in Front Yard

Austin American-Statesman - Oct. 27, A18
Category: City Ordinances
Level: Local/State
This article is concerning an issue that families/individuals face.

Why it is important:
 Because there is no official rule on burial inside the city limits of this specific town, it is hard to say that this man is breaking the law. although private burials are very rare within towns an cities, clear ordinances need to be established for the few times the situation may arise.

My views:
This story pulled at my heart strings and that is exactly why I chose it. It may not be traditional and everyone might not agree with this man's decision to bury his wife in the front yard, but without a solid ordinance that clears up the legality of the situation, there is no real way to prove that his actions are illegal. I am sure that everyone can relate, in some way or another, to wanting to fulfill the final wishes of a loved one. It may be a long shot, but I am going to compare this to inmates on death row. Prisoners receive their final wish in the form of a meal. This woman received her final wish in the form of a burial site. Why would anyone want to deny her that? As for the question of who will take over upkeep on the site at the time of the husband's death, I would imagine that responsibility going to their five children as a house with that much history is sure to remain in the family. In the end, Mr. Davis proposed a compromise that would include the removal of the coffin and the cremation of his wife. In agreeing to this, I am pretty sure he is also agreeing to the loss of funds he put into installing the grave site. I don't see any reason for this compromise to be denied but if the yard looks the same in the end, I am not sure I understand what the argument was really about.