[HISTORY: Adopted by the Cemetery Commission. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
A.
All those visiting the cemetery shall conduct themselves
as befitting the respect due these hallowed grounds.
B.
There is to be no consumption of alcoholic beverages
on cemetery grounds.
C.
All those visiting in the cemetery shall stay on the
roads and paths provided unless visiting a specific grave.
D.
There is a five-mile-per-hour speed limit throughout
the cemetery.
E.
No washing of vehicles is permitted.
F.
The Commissioners do not want to dictate the means of
transportation for those visiting a grave site; however, bikes, skateboards,
roller blades, and cross-country skis are not allowed for recreation.
G.
Playing games such as golf, frisbee, or baseball is not
allowed.
H.
All pet owners are required to clean up after their pets.
I.
All citizens who wish to gather in the cemetery are welcome.
However, those groups wishing to gather in the cemetery for funerals, memorial
services, or educational purposes shall notify the Commissioners so that the
rights of others may be preserved.
A.
The Commissioners respectfully wish to bring to the attention
of all lot owners that approval of the Commission is required prior to the
installation of any headstone, marker, or monument.
B.
Those intending to arrange for the installation of a
headstone, marker, or monument will provide the Commissioners with the necessary
information. A permit is available at the cemetery for this purpose.
C.
Temporary grave markers shall be removed within six months
following interment, or at the time of installation of a permanent memorial.
D.
All those wishing to erect a monument, flat marker, or
ledger on their lot must apply for and submit a memorial permit listing all
pertinent information and pay the appropriate fees.
E.
All contractors must call 24 hours in advance of working
on cemetery property, check in with the Superintendent on arriving and have
a written work order approved and signed by the lot owner before starting
any work on cemetery property. They also must abide by all cemetery rules,
or they will not be allowed to continue to work on the grounds or return later.
F.
All contractors shall work only while the cemetery staff
is on duty.
G.
The Commissioners believe that headstone size should
be proportional to the size of the lot, and, therefore, the maximum dimensions
(excluding base) by lot size should be no larger than:
(1)
Single grave: shall have only 1 flush marker; for graves
with multiple cremations, a single flush ledger not exceeding 24 inches wide,
36 inches deep, 4 inches high is allowed.
(2)
Two-grave lot: flush marker only.
(3)
Four-grave lot: 30 inches wide, 8 inches deep, 28 inches
high.
(4)
Eight-grave lot: 48 inches wide, 10 inches deep, 30 inches
high.
H.
Bases shall not exceed the above dimensions by more than
6 inches on any side of the headstone or monument. All bases shall have the
lot number on the left side as you are facing the monument.
I.
Benches and other monuments not meeting the size and
shape rules are subject to Superintendent and Commission review.
J.
All benches shall be of a pedestal style or have a base
equal in size and shape to the top.
K.
All natural stone monuments are subject to Superintendent
and Commission inspection and approval before the memorial permit is filed.
L.
All foundations for headstones and monuments, flat markers,
and ledgers shall be installed by cemetery personnel.
M.
All flat markers and ledgers shall be installed so that
they are legible from the foot of the grave.
N.
All bronze flat markers will have a cement foundation
and be subject to the same charges as other flat markers.
A.
Plantings must be approved by the Superintendent. Plantings
should be adjacent to and no further than 12 inches from a monument and in
keeping with the surrounding grounds.
B.
To make possible the mowing and care of the lot, a grass
buffer zone of at least 48 inches will be maintained between all monuments
and/or plantings.
C.
Highland Cemetery cannot be held responsible for bushes
or plants which might be damaged by routine maintenance or the preparations
for a grave.
D.
All planting done without prior approval of the Superintendent
is subject to removal by cemetery staff without notification.
E.
All lawn care is to be done by cemetery personnel only.
F.
All trees are to be planted by the Commissioners. There
are to be no trees planted on lots without special permission of the Commissioners.
G.
Trees given in memory of loved ones are encouraged.
H.
All flowers are to be planted by and cared for by the
lot owner. Any flowers or gardens not maintained will be removed.
I.
There are to be no stone, brick, or masonry borders around
plantings, nor are these materials allowed as ground covers.
J.
There is no planting or placing of flowers allowed around
a flat marker or ledger.
K.
Artificial flowers, statuary, candles, and permanent
vases are not permitted. No glass, crockery, or other breakable containers
for cut flowers are allowed.
L.
All seasonal decorations will be removed by cemetery
personnel after January 15.
M.
All veteran, service, organization markers and flags
shall be placed next to the family monument. All flags will be removed and
disposed of in a respectful manner during fall cleanup.
A.
Cemetery personnel must be notified in person one full
workday in advance of a burial, and authorization must be given by the Superintendent
or cemetery staff before a burial can be scheduled.
B.
All burials, either full body or cremation, are to be
accompanied by the permits required by law as stated in Chapter 114 Massachusetts
General Law and all other applicable laws.
C.
All full burials are to be in an approved vault.
D.
All bodies presented for burial shall be in a casket,
coffin, or similar container.
E.
All cremations are to be in a vault or an urn of permanence
designed for burial.
F.
All burials and cremations occurring after normal work
hours and any interments requiring preparation or closing before or after
normal work hours are subject to overtime charges.
G.
All winter burials and cremations are subject to a frost/snow
charge.
H.
During all memorial services or funerals, the Commissioners
or their representative are in charge of the cemetery grounds and proceedings.
I.
All vault covers will remain on the delivery vehicle
unless otherwise requested by the family.
J.
Tents are allowed only during inclement weather and only
if there are no safety concerns due to wind. The Superintendent or other staff
representative of the Commission shall make the final determination as to
the use of a tent on the day of the memorial or funeral service.
A.
All applicable fees, costs and permits must be paid for
and obtained by the parties or agency requesting the disinterment.
B.
Signatures of parents, spouse and all siblings of the
deceased, as applicable, must accompany a disinterment request.
C.
Signatures of the lot owners or their heirs must accompany
a disinterment request.
D.
Cemetery personnel will not be responsible for handling
the remains or removing the vault during a disinterment.
