[Ord. of 11-24-2000]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
A land area four feet wide and nine feet in length.
Any cemetery owned and operated by the Township.
The permanent disposition of the remains of a deceased person
by burial.
A tombstone or memorial of granite, or other stone of equivalent
durability approved by the sexton, which extends above the surface
of the ground.
The individual appointed by the Township Board to manage
the cemetery.
[Ord. of 11-24-2000]
In addition to any other charges, fines or penalties for which
a person may be liable under other applicable laws or local ordinances,
any person who shall violate a provision of this chapter, or who shall
fail to comply with any of the requirements hereof, shall be responsible
for a municipal civil infraction.
[Ord. of 11-24-2000]
(a)
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.
(b)
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.
(c)
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.
[Ord. of 11-24-2000]
(a)
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.
(b)
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.
(c)
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.
[Ord. of 11-24-2000]
(a)
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.
(b)
Authorization. No burial site shall be opened or closed except under
the direction, control and supervision of the sexton.
(c)
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.
[Ord. of 11-24-2000]
(a)
Placement. The sexton will determine the placement of any monument.
(b)
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.
(c)
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]
[Ord. of 11-24-2000]
(a)
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.
(b)
Burials. Burial sites are limited to the burial of one person except as set forth in Section 12-5(c).
(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.
[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.
[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.
[Ord. of 11-24-2000]
The cemetery shall be open each day at dawn and closed at dusk.
[Ord. of 11-24-2000]
(a)
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.
(b)
Nontownship employees. All nontownship employees working in the cemetery
shall be fully responsible for any damage done by them or their agents.
Upon completing their work, such nontownship employees must immediately
remove all tools, equipment and debris from the cemetery, and they
must repair any damage they do to the cemetery grounds.
[Ord. of 11-24-2000]
Special cases may arise in which the literal enforcement of
a provision of this chapter may impose an undue and unnecessary hardship.
Notwithstanding any such provision to the contrary, the sexton, after
due consideration, may make such exceptions, suspensions or modifications
of any applicable provision as the sexton deems appropriate. Any such
exception, suspension or modification shall not be construed as affecting
the general application or the intent of the provisions of this chapter.