Township of Park, MI Cemeteries

Sale. Rights of burial shall be sold by the sexton. All such sales shall be on a form approved by the Township Supervisor. The sale shall grant a right of burial only and shall not convey any other title to the burial site. The sale form shall be executed by the sexton.

Price. The price for a right of burial for Township residents and nonresidents shall be established and amended from time to time by resolution of the Township Board. The sexton shall collect the charge for the sale of each right of burial, and shall record the transaction in the cemetery file computer and in the Township computer. Once the sales form has been recorded, the sales form itself and the monies collected shall be deposited with the Township treasurer.

Transfer. A right of burial may be transferred by the owner of record, but only if first approved in writing by the sexton. The owner of record shall inform the sexton of the proposed transfer by letter or other written document and, if approved, the sexton shall record the transfer in the cemetery file computer and the Township computer. Once recorded, the transfer document and the sexton's written approval of the transfer shall be deposited with the Township treasurer.

(d)

Record. The sexton shall keep a permanent written record on all sales and transfers of burial rights.

Sec. 12-4 Flowers and containers.

[Ord. of 11-24-2000]

Floral regulations. All flower containers abandoned or with dead flowers shall be removed. The sexton shall have the right and authority to remove and dispose of any and all growth, emblems, display or containers therefor that through decay, deterioration, damage or otherwise become unsightly, a source of litter or a maintenance problem.

Flower containers. Flower containers shall be the traditional moveable metal-handled flower container. Any other containers are prohibited, including, but not limited to, shepherd's rods which prohibit mowing along the side of the monument. Each burial site is permitted one flower container. In-ground plantings are not permitted.

Concrete flower pots. As of the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived, concrete flower containers shall no longer be permitted. Existing concrete flower containers maintained with live flowers will be allowed to remain until the sexton, in his discretion, determines that they are not being appropriately maintained.

(d)

Artificial flowers. Artificial flowers are prohibited.

(e)

Fencing. The fencing of a burial site is prohibited.

(f)

Surface. Any ground surface other than sod is prohibited.

(g)

Cleanup. The cemetery fall cleanup shall begin no later than October 20. All metal flower containers shall be removed before that date. Flower containers not removed by the beginning of the fall cleanup will be stored along the side of the accessory building. Flower containers shall not be returned to the burial site until the completion of the spring cemetery cleanup.

(h)

General maintenance. The Township reserves the right to remove or trim any tree, plant or shrub located within the cemetery in the interest of proper maintenance, appearance and use of the cemetery.

Sec. 12-5 Burial site.

[Ord. of 11-24-2000]

Responsibility. The opening and closing of any burial site, prior to and following interment, shall be the responsibility of the funeral director. This shall include the payment of any costs associated with the opening or closing of the burial site. The burial site and surrounding grounds shall be returned to their original condition.

Authorization. No burial site shall be opened or closed except under the direction, control and supervision of the sexton.

Burial regulations. The burial site shall be occupied by no more than one conventional concrete burial vault subject to the following exceptions:

(1)

The burial site may be occupied instead by up to two infant or stillborn vaults;

(2)

The burial site may be occupied instead by up to two cremation urns; and

(3)

If vault placement allows sufficient space, the burial site may be occupied by one conventional concrete burial vault plus one cremation urn.

Sec. 12-6 Monuments.

[Ord. of 11-24-2000]

Placement. The sexton will determine the placement of any monument.

Number. Burial sites may have a maximum of one aboveground monument. A second military stone may be placed at ground level as determined by the sexton. Additional in-ground markers shall not be permitted, including, but not limited to, wood or concrete curbing or concrete slabs.

Monument foundations. The footing or foundation upon which any monument is to be placed shall be four inches longer and four inches wider than the aboveground monument. Military stones at ground level may be placed without a footing. Maximum single grave footing size is 42 inches long by 14 inches wide. Maximum double grave footing size is 66 inches long by 18 inches wide. Maximum monument height above the ground surface is 40 inches high.

[Amended 7-11-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-2]

Sec. 12-7 Interment regulations.

[Ord. of 11-24-2000]

Subject to laws. In addition to the provisions of this chapter, all interments and removals shall be subject to all laws, rules, regulations, ordinances and orders of the Township and any other governmental agency having jurisdiction.

Burials. Burial sites are limited to the burial of one person except as set forth in Section 12-5(c).

Notice. The sexton shall have the right to require at least 36 hours' notice prior to any interment to allow for the identification of the burial site and to permit the contact of the organization responsible for opening and closing the burial site. The sexton shall receive at least one-week notice prior to any removal.

(d)

Burial site permit. The appropriate permit for the burial site involved shall be presented to the sexton by the funeral home. The funeral home or family of the deceased shall provide this information for a cremation.

(e)

Concrete vaults. All burials, except for the remains of a cremation, shall be in a reinforced concrete vault.

Sec. 12-8 Records.

[Ord. of 11-24-2000]

The sexton shall maintain records concerning all burials, burial permits, sales of rights of burial, and all other communication. This information shall be available to the Township Supervisor at any time and for public inspection upon the filing of an appropriate written request.

Sec. 12-9 Sexton's deputy.

[Ord. of 11-24-2000]

The Township Supervisor and the sexton may jointly designate in writing a deputy for the sexton. Any approval, transaction, or other action pertaining to the cemetery may, in the absence, illness, or other circumstance where the sexton is unavailable, be performed by the sexton's deputy.

Sec. 12-10 Cemetery hours.

[Ord. of 11-24-2000]

The cemetery shall be open each day at dawn and closed at dusk.

Sec. 12-11 Liability.

[Ord. of 11-24-2000]

Damage. With respect to the cemetery, the Township shall not be held responsible for damages by the elements, acts of God, common enemies, thieves, vandals, strikers, malicious mischief makers, explosions, unavoidable accidents, invasions, insurrections, riots or the order of any military or civil authority, whether the damages be direct or collateral.