Smith’s Chapel Cemetery

 

Rules and Regulations

 

 

For the mutual protection and benefit of lot owners, the following Rules and Regulations have been adopted.  All lots sold shall be subject to these Rules and Regulations, and subject further to such other Rules and Regulations, amendments or alterations as shall be adopted by the Smith’s Chapel Cemetery Board from time to time.

 

All current residents of Milton Township may purchase a cemetery lot at a lower cost.  The Board shall make the determination as to the right of an individual to purchase a lot and that decision shall be final. 

 

Rules and Regulations for Internments:

  1. The size of a single lot shall be 4 feet by 8 feet.
  2. The location of a grave for an interment and the depth, digging, and all other aspects of creating the grave and the restoration and maintenance of the ground over the grave shall be under the direction of the Cemetery Board.
  3. Interments in caskets shall be made in an outer container or receptacle made of concrete to be placed in the grave according to law.
  4. Interments of urns or other containers containing the ashes of deceased persons shall be buried so that the upper surface of the urn or container shall be not less than one foot beneath the natural surface of the ground above it.
  5. Graves shall be dug and interments made only by personnel approved by the board.
  6. Curbing of stone, concrete or similar material and fences of any type shall not be set, placed, laid or installed at any time around a lot or any part thereof.

 

Rules and Regulations for Costs: 

  1. The price of cemetery lots shall be set by the Board.  
  2. Cemetery Buyback – The Smith’s Chapel Cemetery shall buy back the cemetery grave for $150 per grave. If the grave was purchased within the last 90 days this is considered saleable for 75% of the fee paid whether it was the resident or non-resident price paid.
  3. Lots may be held for 90 days. They must then be paid for in full or the “Hold” will be removed.

 

Rules and Regulations for Perpetual Care:

  1. A fee for perpetual care of a lot is not an additional mandatory fee, however donations will be accepted and the funds will be put into the existing account and be used according to State Statutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rules and Regulations for Grave Markers and Decorations:

Lot decorations shall be deemed to include all structures, ornaments, planting, or other embellishments, with the exception of monuments and markers which are placed on cemetery lots with the intention of improving their appearance. Because certain types of individual lot decorations are not in harmony with the development of the cemetery as a whole or because they may intensify maintenance problems, the Cemetery Board enforces certain rules regarding the decoration of cemetery lots.

 

  1. Mausoleums, above-ground vaults or like structures shall not be created on any lot.
  2. All grave markers of a permanent nature shall have a solid concrete foundation whose lowest surface is below winter frost level and is so formed that the grave marker set on it will not tip or be adversely affected by water, ice, and freezing soil conditions. 
  3. All grave markers shall be so located on a lot that they will not interfere with digging the grave or installing the vault. 
  4. If desired, a flat marker may be placed flush with the ground. 
  5. In no case, shall a flowerbed exceed the boundary of the lot.
  6. Seasonal ornaments may be placed in the cemetery anytime of the year.  In order to preserve the proper appearance of the grounds, family members must remove all ornaments or they will be removed and disposed of by the maintenance contractor or a member of the Cemetery Board.
  7. Flowers and potted plants, either natural or artificial, may be placed next to grave markers.  Inexpensive floral containers and flowers should be used and the Cemetery shall have no liability for theft or if flowers and potted plants are damaged or destroyed during grass mowing and trimming operations. 
  8. The use of glass jars or bottles as receptacles for cut flowers is strictly prohibited. Artificial flowers made from silk or similar materials will be permitted only as long as properly maintained. Such flowers shall be removed without prior notice when they become unsightly by reason of neglect or age.
  9. Winter decorations may be maintained on graves until March 1st. If such decorations are not removed by March 1st, they shall be considered abandoned and may be disposed of.

 

Rules and Regulations for Maintenance:

  1. The Cemetery Board {Milton Township} shall hire and supervise the maintenance of the cemetery and, when necessary, shall order any pruning or the removal of any vegetation.
  2. When the owner of a lot or his/her descendents are unknown or unwilling to repair a broken or fallen grave marker, after due notice, the commission may determine whether the marker should be repaired or removed, within their financial means.
  3. A lot owner may not plant a tree or shrub on his/her or any other lot. 

 

 

 

 

 

Rules and Regulations for Cemetery Access:

  1. Smith Chapel Cemetery Hours:  Open Daily from 8:00 am until dusk weather permitting. Any person found on the grounds after dark will be considered a trespasser.
  2. Drugs & Alcohol: The general policy of the Smith’s Chapel Cemetery is zero tolerance for use or possession of alcohol, illegal drugs, controlled substances, or associated paraphernalia by any persons while on the cemetery property.   Infractions of this policy are to be immediately and harshly dealt with, including criminal prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.
  3. Snowmobiles and ATVs are prohibited, and only four types of wheeled vehicles may be used in the cemetery: wheelchairs for impaired persons; automobiles carrying cemetery visitors; equipment for the maintenance of the cemetery; and equipment required for a burial. 
  4. Persons visiting the cemetery shall conduct themselves at all times with proper decorum and with respect for the dead and the rights and sensitivities of others.

 

Rules and Regulations for Changes:

  1. These Rules and Regulations may be amended, altered, or revoked from time to time by the Cemetery Board at any duly held meeting called for, among other things, that purpose.

 

 

           

 

 

                                   

 

 

                                                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   10/25/2007