Western Pa. judge asked to decide whether civil law, or Jewish law, covers exhumation request

Pittsburgh, USA - An Allegheny County judge must decide whether civil law or Jewish religious law governs a family's request to exhume the remains of a long-deceased family member so the remains can be moved to another cemetery.

Judge Lawrence O'Toole heard arguments Monday from the family of Howard Tobin, who died 45 yeas ago, and an attorney for Poale Zedeck, the Orthodox Jewish cemetery north of Pittsburgh where Tobin is buried.

Tobin's family say they want his remains moved to a Pittsburgh cemetery, near those of his wife and son.

But Rabbi Ari Goldberg says Jewish law prohibits exhumation. The Orthodox congregation's attorney says Pennsylvania law has allowed religious cemeteries to follow their own rules without court interference.

O'Toole didn't say when he will rule.