[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Neshkoro 4-5-1999 as Title 8, Ch. 4, of the 1999 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Restrictions on pets — See § 173-6D.
Offenses against property — See Ch. 385, Art. III.
A. 
Purpose. The Village Cemetery is owned and maintained by the Village of Neshkoro for the benefit of all citizens. Definite rules and regulations must be set up by the Village Board to ensure proper maintenance and beauty and to prevent abuse and destruction. The following rules and regulations are set forth in this chapter to govern the cemetery. The Village reserves the right to amend or change any of these provisions to conform with newly developed cemetery practices.
B. 
Management. The Village Cemetery shall be subject to the control of the Village Board, and the Board may, from time to time, acquire lands for cemetery purposes as the same are required, contiguous to said described premises, in the manner provided by law. The Board shall have full power and authority to exercise general supervision over said cemetery and shall regulate the manner of burial and shall designate who shall be buried in the public grounds.
Before any new block in the municipal cemetery is opened for the sale of lots, the Village Board shall cause it to be platted and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds.
A. 
Price of lots. The Village Board shall fix a price on all lots to be sold in the municipal cemetery.
B. 
Sale of lots. Persons or their agents desiring to purchase a lot in the cemetery shall be referred to the Village Clerk-Treasurer or to his/her duly authorized agent. The Clerk-Treasurer will have available suitable plats showing size and price of lots, and such other information as may be required, and will render assistance to those desiring to make lot purchases. Upon having made a lot selection, the Clerk-Treasurer will issue a deed to the lot in the form prescribed by the Village Attorney. The deed shall be signed by the Village Clerk-Treasurer and Village President and sealed with the corporate seal and acknowledged so as to entitle it to be recorded. The purchaser may record this deed with the County Register of Deeds if desired.
A. 
The lot owner or his authorized agent shall have the right to use a lot or portion of a lot for burial purposes only in accordance with the terms of the cemetery rules and regulations.
(1) 
Upon full payment of the purchase price of a lot, the Village Clerk-Treasurer will issue a cemetery deed, and the deed will be recorded in the records of the Village as evidence of ownership of the lot. All lots are exempt from taxation and cannot be seized for debt (except those owed to the cemetery) nor can they be mortgaged.
(2) 
The lot owner shall have acquired the lot for interment of himself and members of his family. However, the lot owner may grant written permission (which must be notarized and placed on file with the Village Clerk-Treasurer) for the burial of other persons.
B. 
Unless otherwise directed in writing and filed with the Village Clerk-Treasurer, the lot owner, his/her devisees, or his/her heirs, the cemetery will permit the interment of members of his/her family at the request of any interested person upon proof of eligibility for burial as follows:
(1) 
The surviving spouse of the lot owner shall have the first right to interment or to direct the right of interment.
(2) 
When there is no surviving spouse, the devisees or heirs of the owners may, by agreement in writing, determine who among them shall have the right of interment or direction for interment, which agreement shall be filed with the Village Clerk-Treasurer.
(3) 
In the event the owner, his/her devisees or heirs shall not have arranged for future interments, then the devisees or the heirs, as the case may be, of such owner shall have the right to interment in order of their need.
C. 
All burial rights in cemetery lots purchased from the Village occupy the same position as real estate at the death of the owner. Only such persons whose names appear on the cemetery records of the Village will be recognized as owners or part owners of lots. In case of the death of a lot owner, when the cemetery lot is disposed of by a will, and when ownership is to be determined, a certified copy of the will must be delivered to the Village Clerk-Treasurer before the Village will recognize the change of ownership. If the deceased lot owner left no will, satisfactory proof of descent must be provided. It is recommended that lot owners in making their wills include a provision covering the cemetery lots and devise same to one person.
D. 
Lot owners may not resell or transfer their lots or parts of lots except as outlined below:
(1) 
The Clerk-Treasurer shall enter in the record kept for that purpose all deeds of transfer and reconveyance of cemetery lots. No such reconveyance shall be received and recorded by the Clerk-Treasurer until a fee has been paid therefor. Said fee shall go into the general cemetery fund.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(2) 
Reconveyance of lots or parts of lots may be made only by written application therefor upon blanks furnished by the Village Clerk-Treasurer. Such application shall be executed by the owner(s) of the lots or, if the owner(s) is deceased, by the legal heirs. The application shall state the lot and block number.
A. 
Plants and decorations.
(1) 
Planting restricted. The planting of trees and shrubs by private individuals is prohibited. Any planting must be done by cemetery personnel.
(2) 
Decorations. Decorations may only be placed in planters and only at times to be set by the Village Board.
(3) 
Planters. Planters must be placed on the side or end of monument.
(4) 
Liability. Decorations and planters are placed at the risk of the persons making such placement. The Village shall not be liable for any damage or loss of any plantings, decorations or planters.
(5) 
Enclosures. No hedges, fences or enclosures of any kind will be permitted on or around lots. Wooden boxes, wire containers, glass jars, bottles, toys, cans and other such objects may not be placed on lots and, if so placed, will be removed by the Village without notice.
(6) 
Artificial flowers. A limited amount of artificial flowers displayed in the cemetery must be in containers and placed on the extension. Any artificial flowers not in containers will be removed from the cemetery by the Sexton.
(7) 
Wire stands. Wreaths on wire stands must also be placed at the head of the lot near the monument or marker.
(8) 
Fresh flowers. Fresh cut flowers may be used anytime and will remain until, in the judgment of the Sexton, they become wilted or unsightly. Containers for cut flowers are to be a type level with the ground surface and not holding water when not in use or of the type to be disposed of when the flowers are removed.
(9) 
Potted plants. Potted plants may be set on lots, without disturbing the sod, on special occasions, such as Memorial Day, birthday, anniversary, etc., but will be picked up and destroyed if unsightly.
B. 
Landscaping. All landscaping, care of lots and other work in the cemetery will be done by the Village, but it is desired that each lot owner feel free to consult with those in charge of the cemetery at all times. Their advice will be cheerfully given without charge and may be of much value to those contemplating the purchase of or improvements to cemetery lots. The Village shall retain the ownership of all aisles, including monument aisles. Lot owners may remove, under the direction of the Public Works Director, large trees on grave sites that hinder the full usage of the grave site. The expense of the tree and stump removal will be paid for by the lot owners.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
C. 
Village rights.
(1) 
The Village reserves the right for its workers and those persons necessary to the performance of normal cemetery operation to enter upon or cross over any lot in the cemetery in the performance of such duties.
(2) 
The Village, or its employees, assumes no liability for damages to property or of persons or for physical or mental suffering arising out of the performance of its normal operations or for loss by vandalism or other acts beyond its reasonable control.
(3) 
The Village reserves the right to alter, use, change or close alleys, roadways, water mains and other physical public properties of the cemetery.
A. 
The cemetery will be open to visitors at all times between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 1/2 hour after the official sunset. Permission to enter the cemetery at any other time must be obtained from the Sexton or the Village Board.
B. 
Children under 16 years of age will be admitted only when accompanied by parents or guardians.
C. 
Persons or picnic parties with refreshments or alcoholic beverages are not permitted within any municipal cemetery. No person shall consume or have in his/her possession any open container containing an alcoholic beverage upon any cemetery property within the Village unless the property is specifically named as being part of a licensed premises.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II). Original subsection (d), pertaining to dogs in cemeteries, which immediately followed this subsection was deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II); see § 173-6D for similar provisions
D. 
Firearms will not be allowed in the cemetery except in conjunction with military funerals. At all other times, firearms, bows and arrows, slingshots and other like articles will not be allowed. Driving golf balls is prohibited.
E. 
Visitors are required to use the walks and drives whenever possible and shall not pick any flowers (either wild or cultivated), injure any shrub, tree or plant, or mar or deface any monument, stone or structure in the cemetery.
F. 
Vehicles traveling within the cemetery shall not exceed 15 miles per hour. No vehicle shall be driven except on roads designated for that purpose, nor shall such be driven in a reckless manner. No person shall park any motor vehicle in any cemetery on any grassy or seeded area or upon any location except a designated parking area, nor shall any person park a motor vehicle on cemetery property for any purpose except engaging in official cemetery business.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
G. 
No riding of bicycles, motor bikes, snowmobiles, motorcycles or other such vehicles will be allowed in the cemetery unless such vehicles are present in conjunction with cemetery business.
H. 
Sound devices. No person shall operate or play any amplifying system or sound device in any cemetery without the owner's consent.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
I. 
Littering prohibited. No person shall litter, dump or deposit any rubbish, refuse, earth or other material in any cemetery without the owner's consent.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
J. 
Loitering prohibited. No person shall loiter or cause a nuisance or engage in any sport or exercise on any cemetery property without the owner's consent.[5]
[5]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
Interments.
(1) 
Interments will be made only during daylight hours.
(2) 
All interments shall be made in a permanent outer container excluding the use of wood.
(3) 
All graves shall be dug by an authorized agent of the deceased. [1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(4) 
No burial will be permitted until a legal burial transit permit has been presented to the Village Clerk-Treasurer. The interment of bodies of persons who have died of a contagious disease shall be in strict accordance with the rules of the Department of Health Services.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(5) 
There will be no responsibility on the part of the Village for the protection and maintenance of flowers, wreaths, emblems, etc., used in conjunction with funerals.
(6) 
When definite information for locating a grave is not available 36 hours prior to grave preparation to meet the time requested for interment, the cemetery may exercise its best judgment in making a location in order that the requested time for interment may be met. The cemetery assumes no responsibility for any error or inconvenience of such location and an additional charge will be made for any change requested.
(7) 
The Sexton or his agent shall, whenever possible, be given 36 hours' notice to assure the opening and preparation of a grave prior to interment. Banning unforeseen or other untoward circumstances, such grave shall be opened and prepared in time for interment.
(8) 
One burial per grave space will be allowed, except that two burials per grave space will be allowed if the remains are cremated or are of infants.
(9) 
Aboveground burials will not be allowed.
(10) 
Pets or other animals shall not be buried in the cemetery.
B. 
Disinterments.
(1) 
Disinterments of bodies from graves in the cemetery will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Health Services. Charges set by the Village for removal must be paid in advance.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(2) 
Lot owners or their heirs desiring graves opened may secure the necessary disinterment permit from the state and deliver the same to the Cemetery Sexton. All removals will be made by the Village under the supervision of a licensed embalmer.
(3) 
For sanitary reasons, graves will not be reopened for inspection except for an official investigation.
A. 
Grave markers and foundations will be set only by the monument company according to regulations specified by the Village. Monuments shall be no higher than 36 inches in height. Except as herein otherwise provided, under no conditions will the Village construct monument or marker bases or erect monument or markers on bases. Grave markers shall be set with a suitable cement foundation with at least a four-inch wash for trimming of grass. The Village reserves the right to require the construction of a foundation of such size, material and design as will provide ample insurance against settlement or injury to the stonework. The top of the concrete foundation will be constructed flush with the ground line. Grave markers will be set on a straight line on the back side of the lot. Whenever possible, all markers will be set with a five-inch margin, with 12 to 15 inches on at least one end. Verbal permission is required and shall be available from the office of the Sexton or his/her assistant.
B. 
The setting of monuments, stones and markers and the transportation of all tools, materials, etc., within the cemetery grounds shall be subject to the supervision and control of the Sexton. Unless special arrangements are made with the Sexton, such work shall be conducted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, except on national holidays. Whenever possible, at least 24 hours' notice shall be given to the Sexton that said work is to take place. Heavy trucking will not be permitted within the cemetery when, in the opinion of the Sexton, such work might cause damage to the driveways. Except when special permission is obtained, all work as outlined above shall be completed and debris removed immediately.
C. 
The Village reserves the right to refuse permission to erect any monument work not in keeping with the good appearance of the grounds. The size of the monument and/or stonework must be given to the Sexton or his/her agent and approved before said work will be permitted on a lot. All monuments must be set in line with other monuments so far as possible, as directed by the Cemetery Sexton or his/her assistant.
D. 
Stonework or monumental work, once placed on its foundation, shall not be removed, except by permission of the Cemetery Sexton.
E. 
The lot must be paid in full or other assurance given of payment before markers and monuments are set.
F. 
Temporary markers must be removed or replaced with a permanent marker within one year.
G. 
Any additional head or foot markers must be set flush with the ground. Bronze government markers may be placed on the backside of a family stone.
Construction of vaults and mausoleums is prohibited.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Sec. 8-4-10, Trees, shrubs and flowers, which immediately followed this section, was deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II); similar provisions are included in § 213-5A and B.
A. 
It is urged that lot owners interest themselves in the present and future care of their lots, as a single neglected lot mars the beauty of the entire cemetery.
B. 
All fees and charges as outlined in the current schedule of fees, and charges are payable at the office of the Village Clerk-Treasurer, where receipts will be issued for the amounts paid.
C. 
A schedule of the fees and charges, as established by the Village Board, shall be on file in the office of the Village Clerk-Treasurer and Sexton. Such schedule may change from time to time without advance notice to conform with current economic conditions.
D. 
The Village will take reasonable precautions to protect all private property, lots and/or grave owners' property in the cemetery from loss or damage, but it distinctly disclaims all responsibility for loss or damage from causes beyond its control and especially from the acts of thieves, vandals and rioters and from all acts of providence, including wind, tornadoes, hail, snow, rain and frost, whether the damage be indirect or proximate.