Understanding gravesite access in Illinois
Our mission is to ensure that descendants, family members, genealogists, and caretakers have legal access to private burial grounds across Illinois, supporting respectful visits and maintenance.
Illinois law does not currently guarantee access to cemeteries on private property and/or access to all state hospital grave sites. We are looking to connect with families, historians, genealogists or cemetery preservationists across Illinois to come forward if they’ve been denied access to any grave sites on private land.
Proposed Legislation
We are dedicated to ensuring that descendants, families, genealogists, and caretakers have legal access to burial grounds located on private land throughout Illinois. Our goal is to support respectful visits, preserve gravesites, and facilitate historical research, honoring the legacy of those laid to rest. Read our proposed legislative bill here.
Sign Our Petition
Our mission is to ensure that descendants, family members, genealogists, and caretakers have legal access to hospital and private property burial grounds across Illinois, supporting respectful visits, historical preservation of the most margnilized in our community, and maintenance of graves. Sign our petition on Change.org to let your voice be heard.
See Our Videos on TikTok
Our TikTok page serves as a video diary, sharing updates from Hannah; the founder of Right to Be Remembered. Through short videos, viewers can see the barriers and fencing that currently block entry, learn more about the challenges of working with the company that owns the land, and hear firsthand about our mission to preserve heritage and honor loved ones. The channel acts as a living newsletter, offering regular updates, personal reflections, and behind-the-scenes insight into the progress of our efforts.
The Right To Be Remembered 