Whenever a church, cemetery or burial association shall file a petition as hereinbefore provided, the court shall direct such notice of the filing of the petition and of a date fixed for hearing thereon to be given to the owners of rights of interment therein, and to the known descendants of the dead buried therein, in such manner as it shall deem appropriate. An opportunity to be heard shall be afforded to all such persons, if any appear, before the court shall make an order authorizing the petitioner to improve such cemetery, part or section thereof.