Rep. Glassburn Introduces Legislation Increasing Penalties for Thefts Occurring at a Gravesite

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Chris Glassburn (D-North Olmsted) today announced the introduction of House Bill (HB) 879 aimed at protecting the sanctity of Ohio’s cemeteries. The bill would classify the theft of items from a gravesite as vandalism, a fifth-degree felony.   

“When we lay our loved ones to rest, we do so with the expectation that their final resting place, and the items placed there, will remain undisturbed,” said Rep. Glassburn. “I was deeply moved by the stories from families who were victims of mausoleum robberies that occurred in my district. It prompted me to research the existing penalties associated with gravesite robberies, which identified gaps in our current legal code.”

Earlier this year, while visiting their loved ones at the Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted, several families discovered that sentimental items placed at their loved ones’ resting places were missing. Under current law, thefts occurring at a gravesite that don’t result in any damage to the grave's physical structure can be prosecuted solely on the basis of the monetary value of the items taken, frequently resulting in mere misdemeanor charges.      

HB 879 seeks to amend the vandalism statute to incorporate instances of theft from a gravesite. This ensures that the law recognizes the emotional weight of these crimes rather than just the price tag of the stolen property. 

“The emotional trauma of being a victim of this type of theft should not be predicated on the physical destruction or monetary value of the item taken,” added Rep. Glassburn. “The act of stealing from the deceased is a violation of the sanctity of these sites and the peace of grieving families and should be prosecuted as such.”  

HB 879 has been referred to the House Public Safety Committee for further consideration and awaits sponsor testimony.