[R.O. 2011 §42.010]
As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have these prescribed meanings:
ASHES
The remains of a person following cremation.
DRIVEWAY LOT
A tract of ground abutting a driveway and consisting of two (2) single spaces.
FLORAL GRAVE BLANKET
A temporary ornament arranged in such a manner that it covers over twenty-five percent (25%) of the grave space.
HALF-LOT
A tract of ground consisting of five (5) single spaces.
IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Any person related to the person to be interred within the third degree according to civil law.
INFANT
Any person under the age of three (3) years and thirty (30) days.
INFANT SPACE
A single space to be used solely for the interment of an infant.
LOT
A tract of ground consisting of ten (10) single spaces.
ORNAMENT
Any article or device, living, natural or artificial, which is customarily used to decorate a grave.
QUARTER-LOT
A tract of ground consisting of two (2) single spaces.
SINGLE SPACE
A tract of ground sufficient in size for the interment of one (1) person, and in any event no larger than forty (40) square feet.
STONE ORNAMENT
Any ornament composed primarily of stone, cement, steel or other non-temporary type substance.
TEMPORARY ORNAMENT
Any ornament having a useful life of less than one (1) year.
VAULT OR CEMENT SECTIONAL BOX
Any container designed to primarily house a casket. Such container shall be composed of stone, cement, steel, or other non-temporary type substance which is not subject to rapid deterioration when buried.
[R.O. 2011 §42.020; Ord. No. 1810, 11-7-1994; Ord. No. 2528 §1, 8-15-2011; Ord. No. 2597 §1, 5-20-2013; Ord. No. 2654 §1, 11-3-2014; Ord. No. 2769, 7-22-2019]
The price for cemetery grounds shall be as follows:
ITEM
COSTS/FEES
Single space
$450.00
Infant space
$100.00
Lot (10 single spaces)
$3,750.00 ($375.00 each)
½ (5 single spaces)
$2,125.00 ($425.00 each)
¼ (2 single spaces)
$900.00 ($450.00 each)
North Drive lots (2 spaces)
$900.00 ($450.00 each)
Grave opening
$500.00
Burying ashes
$150.00
Infant grave opening
$100.00
Burying infant ashes
$100.00
Additional overtime fees*
*Overtime fee includes funerals on Saturdays and Mondays before 10:00 a.m.
$400.00 (infants: $50.00)
[R.O. 2011 §42.030]
Cemetery lots shall be conveyed by deeds signed by the Mayor, countersigned by the City Clerk/Treasurer, and under the Seal of the City. Such deed shall include a description of the cemetery ground purchased, the name of the owner, and limit use of said ground for the sole purpose of interment under the regulations of the Board of Aldermen.
[R.O. 2011 §42.040; Ord. No. 2151 §1, 4-21-2003; Ord. No. 2528 §1, 8-15-2011; Ord. No. 2597 §1, 5-20-2013]
The City shall open all graves for internment upon at least twenty-four (24) hours' notice. No grave shall be opened on a State holiday or Sundays. The cost of grave openings shall be as stated in Section 145.020 of this Chapter.
[R.O. 2011 §42.050]
A. 
There is hereby created a special fund of the City of Savannah to be known as "The Cemetery Fund" and the proceeds of all sales of cemetery ground and grave openings shall be paid into said fund to be held and used by the City for the purpose of extending and enlarging said cemetery, improving the same, fencing, caring for the same and otherwise beautifying said grounds and defraying the expenses of the sexton and other expenses of said cemetery. It shall be unlawful to use the Cemetery Fund for any non-cemetery-related purposes.
B. 
Cemetery Fund Investments. Whenever there shall be in the Cemetery Fund any money not necessary to be retained to pay current expenses of the cemetery in any year, the City may invest such money in an interest-bearing account at a local bank or savings and loan or U.S. Government bonds.
[R.O. 2011 §42.060]
A. 
The Mayor, by and with the consent of the Board of Aldermen, shall each year appoint a sexton of the cemetery who shall hold office for one (1) year or until a successor shall have been appointed.
B. 
Sexton's Salary. The sexton's salary shall be set by the Board of Aldermen and may be increased from time to time as the Board of Aldermen directs.
C. 
Sexton Removal. The sexton may be removed by the Mayor with the consent of at least two (2) members of the Board of Aldermen.
D. 
Sexton Duties. It shall be the duty of the sexton of the cemetery to assist the Collector in collecting all fees for sale of cemetery lots and grave openings, to keep the same mowed, to supervise the digging of all graves by the City, or someone appointed by the City, to care for all graves and keep the same properly leveled, to keep all cemetery fences in good repair, to take care of all flowers, shrubs and ornamental trees of the cemetery, to keep in good order and repair the cemetery property, to see that no person desecrates any grave or molests any flowers, trees or shrubs or other property of the cemetery, to exhibit available lots to all persons who shall desire to purchase the same, to make monthly statements to the City Collector of all graves dug, with the date, location and owners thereof. The sexton shall also, from time to time, make recommendations to the Board of Aldermen concerning the care and use of the cemetery.
[R.O. 2011 §§42.070 — 42.120; Ord. No. 1891 §1, 4-7-1997; Ord. No. 2151 §1, 4-21-2003]
A. 
The care and use of the cemetery shall be governed by the following rules and regulations:
1. 
All graves may be decorated with temporary ornaments subject to the following conditions:
a. 
All graves shall be cleared of any temporary ornaments within seven (7) days after observance of the State holiday known as Memorial Day. Any temporary ornaments found on a grave on the eighth (8th) day following observance of the said holiday may be removed by the sexton.
b. 
Floral grave blankets will be allowed only between November fifteenth (15th) and March first (1st). Any floral grave blanket found on a grave after March first (1st) or before November fifteenth (15th) may be removed by the sexton.
c. 
The sexton may remove from any grave any ornament or part of an ornament which the sexton reasonably believes presents a danger or unnecessarily protruding from any ornament.
2. 
All graves may be decorated with non-temporary ornaments subject to the following conditions:
a. 
No mausoleum or surface vaults will be allowed unless adjoining an existing mausoleum or surface vault of the immediate family.
b. 
All stone ornaments must be in line with all other stone ornaments in the same row of grave spaces. No foot stones or other stone ornaments shall be allowed unless put at surface level.
c. 
All living non-temporary ornaments are subject to removal or trimming by the sexton if the ornament or area immediately surrounding said ornament is not reasonably maintained.
B. 
No boxed beds, wire fences or live ornaments shall be placed on the front or back side of a stone ornament. All live plants shall be placed on ends of stone ornaments only.
C. 
The City of Savannah is not responsible for damage to any ornament or mausoleum.
D. 
No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any cemetery ground unless such ground is customarily used by a motor vehicle of such type and for such purpose.
E. 
A cement sectional box or vault shall be required for all interments over four (4) feet.
F. 
Cremains (ashes) buried in the Savannah Cemetery shall be placed in a cremation vault.
G. 
Cremains (ashes) may not be distributed upon any City-owned property.