What is the difference between burial rights and ownership of a burial plot in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the distinction between burial rights and ownership of a burial plot is fundamentally rooted in the legal definitions and entitlements associated with each. Burial rights specifically grant an individual or designated party the authority to inter human remains in a designated burial site. This means that having burial rights permits the family or individual the ability to make arrangements for a burial in that specific plot.

Ownership, on the other hand, implies that an individual holds the legal title to the burial space. This means they have the formal property rights to the plot, which can involve transferring, selling, or otherwise managing that property in compliance with state laws.

This differentiation is significant because one can have burial rights without actually owning the plot. For example, a family member may have the rights to bury their loved one in a designated area, but they may not necessarily hold the title to that land. Conversely, ownership of the burial plot allows an owner to exercise broader rights, including potentially selling or transferring property to another person or entity.