Rules, Regulations & Policy

Cemetery Grounds Rules:


The cemetery grounds are maintained by the Cemetery Division under the Division of Parks and Recreation. The cemetery grounds are not public property and are not a public park or playground.All visitors are requested to keep in mind that the cemeteries are consecrated to the memories of those who are buried within. Dignified behavior is expected and will be required.

It has been shown that it is necessary to adopt and enforce regulations to govern the conduct of visitors and ensure respect for the deceased, protection of the grounds, and safety of the visitors. The rules and regulations are fair and commonsense guidelines.
 
Cemetery Rules & Regulations

Specifications:

  • The speed limit is 15 MPH.
  • Park on roads only.
  • Walk on roads and paths only.
  • Do not trespass on private lots and graves.
  • Sunbathing, picnicking, drinking, and playing are not permitted.
  • Loud, boisterous, or undignified behavior will not be tolerated.
  • Dogs and other pets are not permitted on the grounds.
  • Picking of blossoms, flowers, or foliage is prohibited.

    • Policy for Grave Openings:


    - Yarmouth Cemetery Division performs all grave openings (effective September 7, 2010.)
    - Grave orders for Monday or Tuesday after a holiday must be received by 12:00 PM the Friday before.
    - Overtime rate is $40.00 per hour per man for all time other than during regular hours (7:00 AM- 3:30 PM Monday through Friday.)
    - Under special circumstances burials will be allowed on Saturday's with the understanding that there will be a charge for a minimum of three (3) hours at the overtime rate.
    - Scheduling is to be determined by need and availability.

    Cremation:


  • The burial of cremated remains will be allowed within town cemeteries.
  • The designated cremation lots may contain no more than two burial containers.
  • The containers must be sealed and unmodified as received from the crematorium.

    • Vault Specifications:

  • Cremated remains must be interred in a Mackenzie Vault (marble) or an urn vault must be purchased from the town for interment of remains.
    • - Every casket interred in a lot or grave must have a cover that is:
    • Sealed
    • Watertight
    • Domed
    - Concrete burial vaults with plastic liners, or equivalent, are satisfactory and in accordance with provisions of the D. E. P. approval for use within these Cemeteries.

    Ornamental Regulations:


  • Only flat memorial plaques measuring 12" wide by 24" in length without permanent vases are allowed.
  • No in-ground plantings or shrubs are allowed.

    • For Veterans:


    - War Veteran Residents of the Town of Yarmouth may receive one grave free of charge.
    - Their spouses may purchase the adjoining graves at a reduced fee of $25, plus the $10 recording fee. The graves are not transferable.
    - The one free grave a veteran receives may also be used to bury a spouse if both are to be cremated or it may be used for one body burial and one cremation burial.
    - No in ground plantings are allowed in the Veterans Section.


    Gravestone Requirements:

  • Only white, upright marble or granite veterans' headstones are allowed.
  • The spouse may have an upright marker on a two grave lot as well, however it must replicate the Veteran's stone. The Veteran's stone which is provided in some cases free from the government, however, the installation with a foundation must be paid for.
  • On a one-grave lot, where both veteran and spouse are to be buried, only the upright stone of the veteran is allowed. In this case, dual listings on a single gravestone are permitted.
  • The spouse may have a flat marker put at the foot of the grave.


    • American Flag Placement:

    American flags will be placed on all veterans' graves from Memorial Day through Veteran's Day, after which they will be removed for the winter.