Maplewood Cemetery Rules and Regulations (2008)
1) All lots in the Maplewood Cemetery are sold in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the State of New York and shall not be used for any other purpose than as a burial place for deceased human beings.
2) No interment shall be allowed without permission being first obtained from Maplewood Cemetery Association. At the time of interment, the following information must be furnished:
a) name of deceased
b) age of deceased - including date of birth, if known
c) place of birth of deceased, if known
d) date of death
e) time and date of interment
f) if not an adult -the names of parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
3) Lot owners are prohibited from allowing interments to be made on their lots for compensation.
4) Interments in a lot are restricted to those entitled to burial therein according to the terms of Section 1512 of the Not-for-Profit Corporations Law. Written request for burial of those not entitled to burial according to Section1512 must be filed with the Maplewood Cemetery Association by the lot owner(s).
5) Except as provided for in Section 1513c of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, no lot owner may transfer his or her lot. Contact the NYS Cemetery Board for details on this section and other state regulations.
6) Cremated remains will not be permitted to be scattered in any part of the Cemetery. Interment of cremated remains will be permitted only in appropriate rigid receptacles such as wood, metal, plastic or concrete.
7) The full purchase price must be paid before a Deed will be given or burial allowed on the lot.
a) Purchase price of all lots shall include permanent maintenance.
b) Maplewood Cemetery will reclaim Deeds of areas not wanted by lot owners by:
i. Surrender of the original Deed to the Cemetery
ii. Payment to the owner of the original purchase price, plus 4% simple interest, per year of ownership.
c) Lost Deeds will be rewritten for a fee.
8) Allowed Cemetery Rules – Please limit your grave markings and plantings to the allowed items in the allowed planting area with the overall intent of displaying respect and simple elegance for all.
a)
Head Stones-Monuments and
flower plantings, not to exceed 36 inches from the head of the Lot. Flower
plantings should not exceed 18 inches in height. See diagram.
b) Flowers, real or artificial, may be added to the allowed planting area only. The sod must be removed in the planting area. Any improperly planted or improperly maintained flowers, real or artificial, may be removed. Refer to the ‘Not Allowed’ section below for other rules regarding the planting area.
c) American (U.S.A.) flags, up to 12 by 18 inches may be placed in approved grave planting area. Flags should be properly secured to avoid falling on the ground or blowing away. Flags will be removed that have become damaged or unsightly. Please note that the local American Legion Post provides American Flags to all identified veterans graves each year in May, free of charge. These flags are removed in September. Flag holders are available from veteran organizations for a fee and are allowed in the planting area.
d) Seasonal and Christmas wreaths may be added during the respective season within the allowed planting area and must be removed by March 15th
Cemetery staff will dispose of all remaining wreathes after this date. Please make sure that you remove your wreaths before March 15th if you plan to reuse them.
9) Not Allowed Rules – (many of these items create safety issues or impede the required maintenance of the cemetery).
a) Bushes, Shrubs, Rose Bushes, Trees, tall flowers or other plantings.
b) Fences, Stone or plastic edgings. Stones, gravel or chunk-type mulches should not be used.
c) Glass or Plastic Blocks or Glass Vases. In general, glass of any type must not be used.
d) Wooden Crosses, Shepherd Crooks, or similar items.
e) Encroaching on adjoining graves. Any items or plantings on the wrong-side of the monument, or extending beyond the ‘Allowed’ planting area limits will be considered encroachment.
f) Novelties or similar items include: Pinwheels, toys, all flags, banners, and flag or banner holders. (The flag exception is noted above in ‘Allowed’.)
g) Lighting devices including solar powered, battery powered, and all ignition (candle or lantern) types.
10) The cemetery Grounds Committee reserves the right to remove disallowed objects and all other objects deemed questionable, including safety, maintenance and appearance issues. Funeral flowers will usually be removed 1 to 2 days after the day of the interment. Many items may have sentimental value but can become disruptive to the appearance and maintenance of the cemetery. Please limit your grave markings and plantings to the allowed items with the overall intent of displaying respect and simple elegance for all. The cemetery is not responsible for loss or damage to any of these items or plantings.
11) The lot owner is responsible for:
a) Plantings to be within a three foot area (3') (usually east) of the head of the lot. This is the burial/vault side of the lot/grave or monument. This is labeled as the allowed planting area. (See diagram above.). The cemetery encourages all lot owners to adhere to this rule and adhere to rules 8, 9, and 10 above.
b) Plantings and growth to be totally within the planting area boundaries and must not encroach on adjoining property.
c) Cultivation, weeding, watering and care of said plantings. The sod must be removed around these plantings, real or artificial, for appearance and maintenance reasons.
d) Wreath placement and removal; as specified in rule 8.
12) All persons and vehicles while attending a funeral or funeral procession will be under the control of the superintendent, while in the cemetery.
13) Concrete Vaults or concrete grave liners are required for interments in Maplewood Cemetery. Effective for lots purchased after January 1, 1985, in 19 NYCRR Part 201, section 201.6 allows cemeteries to require the use of concrete vaults or concrete grave liners that meet the NYSCRR Part 201 section 201.6 minimum specifications. Any exceptions will require a one time grave maintenance fee be added to the standard interment fees.
14) No vaults or mausoleums shall be built above ground without the permission of the Board of Directors and then only in such locations as they may approve. No mausoleum will be approved for construction by the Board of Directors unless a sufficient endowment is set up to provide adequate income to maintain the structure.
15) All foundations will be constructed by-or under the direction of the Maplewood Cemetery Association
16) All work done in the cemetery shall be done by cemetery employees or under the control of the Superintendent or Board of Directors. Power mowers or other landscape equipment, operated by anyone not authorized by the cemetery is strictly prohibited.
17) Monuments shall be allowed on a lot and it shall be set in accordance with the general plan of the cemetery.