GENERAL RULES
For the mutual protection of every Grave or Lot Holder these Rules and Regulations are hereby adopted as the Rules and Regulations of Woodlawn Cemetery. The Cemetery will issue a Certificate of Interment Rights in which the grant of rights is made subject to the Rules and Regulations existing at the time of the delivery of the Certificate and subsequent changes to any Rules and Regulations thereafter adopted.
All Rules and Regulations adopted specifically restricting the right to decorate and care for graves or lots must apply uniformly.
DEFINITIONS
The term "Interment" is meant as ground burial.
"Entombment" shall mean burial above ground in a mausoleum crypt.
"Cremation" is the technical heating process that reduces human remains to bone fragments.
"Inurnment"shall mean the permanent placement of cremated remains in a niche or space in a columbarium, mausoleum, or tomb owned either privately or by the Management.
"Grave" is a single space used or intended to be used for the burial of one or two persons.
"Lot" is two or more spaces used or intended to be used for the burial of two or more persons.
The term "Grave or Lot Holder" is the original purchaser that the Cemetery has issued the Certificate of Interment Rights.
The term "Representative" is the person recognized by the Cemetery as the designated legal heir of the Grave or Lot Holder.
The term "Memorial" shall include an upright monument, colonial tablet, or flat marker.
The term "Care" shall mean that general care of the Cemetery as herein defined.
INTERMENTS
The Cemetery shall have the right to request those wishing to make a selection of a grave or lot, or arrange for an interment, to contact the Cemetery Office. The Cemetery requires at least twenty-four hours' notice, exclusive of Sundays and Holidays, for any cremation, interment or entombment and at least one week's notice for any disinterment.
The Cemetery shall not be liable for any order given by telephone, or any error occurring from the want of proper instructions as to the sizes of the casket, or as to the particular grave or lot locations where the interment is to be made. The Cemetery reserves the right to make an equitable charge whenever additional labor costs result from such errors.
In each case of burial an interment work order with the following information is necessary; name of deceased, what grave or lot interment is to take place, date and time of arrival, what type of container will be used, name and address of Grave or Lot Holder or his legal representative and name of Funeral Director, must be furnished, so that an accurate register may be kept.
The Cemetery shall be in no way liable for any delay in the interment of a body where a protest to the interment has been made, or where the Rules and Regulations have not been complied with or where said Rules and Regulations forbid such interment.
All funerals upon entering the Cemetery shall be under the exclusive charge and sole direction of the Cemetery personnel.
All funerals upon entering the Cemetery shall have all the necessary paper-work; a signed interment order signed by the Grave or Lot Holder or his legal representative, giving the name, last residence, age, date of death, place of death, cause of death and name of funeral director, burial permits and payment of charges for the same.
The casket may not be opened within the Cemetery without the express permission of the Cemetery. The Cemetery reserves the right to refuse permission to anyone to open the casket or to touch the body without the consent of the legal representative of the deceased or without a Court Order with the Funeral Director present.
The interment of cremated remains requires a permanent container approved by the Cemetery.
Disinterments and removals from the Cemetery may be made upon final order of a court having jurisdiction. In the absence of such an order, no disinterment and removal from the Cemetery shall be made without the consent of the Cemetery and the written authorization of the Grave or Lot Holder and/or nearest of kin with proper legal procedure and the Funeral Director present.
Cemetery personnel shall exercise due care in making a disinterment, but it shall assume no liability for the damage to any casket, burial case or memorial incurred in making the disinterment.
The Cemetery shall have the right to designate the hour and manner in which interments and disinterments will or will not be permitted.
Only equipment owned, rented and operated or under the direction of the Cemetery shall be used in making interments and disinterments.
CORRECTION OF ERRORS
The Cemetery reserves the right to correct any errors which may have occurred in making interments and disinterments. If the error was due to incorrect information on the part of the person or persons giving or signing the interment order, the Cemetery shall have the right to remove the remains and make such disposition of them as it may deem best. In the event such error involved the interment of the remains of any person in an interment space which had been granted through error, the Cemetery shall have the right to remove and/or transfer such remains so interred to another interment space of equal value and similar location.
INSTRUCTIONS TO GRAVE OR LOT HOLDERS' & THEIR RIGHTS
The Cemetery reserves the right to specify the terms of purchase of all interment rights in graves or lots and the manner in which said right shall be held or exercised.
Should the Grave or Lot Holder fail to carry out the terms of the purchase agreement, the Cemetery may declare said agreement cancelled and all rights of the purchaser in and to the grave or lot forfeited. In the event of such default the Cemetery reserves, and shall have, the right immediately or any time thereafter, without notice at its discretion, to remove to single graves, to be chosen by the Cemetery, each of the remains then interred in said grave or lot. The Cemetery further, shall have the right to remove any memorial that may have been placed on said grave or lot.
No coping, curbing, fencing, hedging, borders, plantings or enclosures of any kind shall be allowed on any grave or lot. The Cemetery reserves the right to remove same if so erected, planted or placed.
All interments must be placed in a concrete outer container or a suitable container approved by the Cemetery.
Digging around perimeter of a memorial is prohibited and the Cemetery is not responsible for damage to memorials when there is evidence of such digging
The use of the grave or lot is for interment purposes only and not for resale or profit. As prescribed by General Laws, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Chapter 114, Sections 29 and 43B.
If the lot holder has filed a Trust (written instructions) at the Cemetery office as to which member or members of his/her family shall succeed to the rights of said lot, said Trust will be recognized by the Cemetery and will be followed if in the judgment of said Cemetery such instructions are clear, practicable and not manifestly unjust.
In the absence of a Trust filed by the Lot Holder or a duly probated will, the rights of interment shall devolve upon those entitled to succeed thereto under the intestate laws of the State of Massachusetts.
A vested right of interment may be waived by a writing acknowledged by a Notary Public and delivered to the Cemetery. We determine Representation by Massachusetts State Law Chapter 114, Sections 29 & 31.
SERVICE CHARGES AND PAYMENTS
The Cemetery shall have the right to fix a charge and time of payment for each interment, disinterment and for the performance of any other service rendered by the Cemetery; and all work in connection with such service shall be subject to the determination and supervision of said Cemetery.
Any indebtedness due for work performed on a grave or lot MUST be paid before an interment in the grave or lot may be made, or before any memorial may be erected.
RIGHT TO REPLAT
The following rights and privileges are hereby expressly reserved to the Cemetery to be exercised at any time or from time to time for the erection of buildings, or for any purpose or use connected with, incident to, or convenient for, the care of, preservation of, or preparation for disposal or interment of, deceased human remains or other Cemetery purpose:
1. To resurvey, enlarge, diminish, replat, alter, in shape or size, or otherwise to change all or any part or portion of the Cemetery.
2. To lay out, establish, close, eliminate, or otherwise modify or change, the location of roads, walks or drives, provided ingress and egress to and from any is preserved.
The following rights and privileges are hereby expressly reserved to the Cemetery to be exercised at any time or from time to time:
1. Easements and rights of way over and through all of the Cemetery premises for the purpose of installing, maintaining and operating pipe lines, conduits or drains for sprinklers, drainage, electric, or communication lines or for any other Cemetery purpose.
NO EASEMENTS GRANTED
No easement or right of interment is granted to any Grave or Lot Holder in any road, drive or walk within the Cemetery, but such road, drive or walk may be used as a means of access to the Cemetery and its buildings as long as the Cemetery devotes such road, drive or walk to that purpose.
USE OF CEMETERY
Visitors shall only use avenues and paths to gain immediate access to a gravesite. The Cemetery expressly disclaims liability for any injuries sustained by anyone violating this rule.
Strangers are not permitted to loiter in/on any of the buildings, grounds, graves or monuments in the Cemetery.
Children under fourteen years of age are not permitted within the Cemetery, unless accompanied by an adult responsible for their behavior.
Animals are not permitted on the Cemetery grounds or any of its buildings. They must be kept in the car.
Lawns shall not be disturbed for any purpose except upon the express written permission of the Cemetery
Planting or digging in the ground is strictly prohibited.
Ornaments and Flower Vases. The right is reserved to regulate the method of decoration of graves or lots so that uniform beauty may be maintained. The use of boxes, shells, toys, metal designs, ornaments, chairs, settees, vases, glass or crockery containers, wood or iron cases are prohibited and such articles shall be removed by the Cemetery. The placing of artificial floral decorations is prohibited from March 1 thru October 31.
Wires must not be used to hold pots or flowers upright on either graves or lots. They constitute a serious hazard to the mower and trimmer operators. Wires thrown by power mowers and trimmers have been known to injure visitors and Cemetery employees. Please do not use wires or any plastic or glass containers.
Religious Artifacts, Statues of Saints, Rosary Beads, Vigil Lights and similar type objects are not allowed to be placed on graves or lots.
Not Liable for Floral Pieces or Vases - The Cemetery and its employees shall not be liable for vases, floral pieces, baskets, flowers or flags placed on graves or lots.
HOLIDAYS - Holiday decorations brought by visitors may be placed on lot sites one (1) week before the holiday and will remain one (1) week after the holiday, except for Christmas where they may be placed for the month of December. At the conclusion of these time frames, cemetery personnel will remove them. It is suggested that all Christmas decorations be removed in the first week of January by the families before clean up and the onset of winter weather.
FLAGS - Flags and flag holders may be placed on graves one (1) week in advance of Memorial Day and will remain there, unless in deteriorated condition, until the end of July. Flags for Veterans Day may be placed on graves one (1) week in advance of the holiday and will be removed prior to winter conditions setting in. Flags are not permitted in mausoluems either in the bud vases or attached to the crypt fronts.
Motor Vehicles - Automobiles, funeral cars and trucks must be kept under control at all times and at no time shall such vehicles drive through the gates or within the Cemetery at a speed in excess of 20 miles an hour. Automobiles are not allowed to park or to come to a full stop in front of an open grave unless in attendance of a funeral. It is prohibited to park or leave any motor vehicle on any road or driveway within the Cemetery at such location or in such position as to prevent any other vehicle from passing, and if so parked or left, the Cemetery may remove said vehicle. Any driver who runs an automobile or other vehicle off the confines of the roads and thereby causes any damage will be held liable therefor.
RECREATIONAL - Recreational activities are not allowed on the Cemetery grounds these include:
Bicycling, jogging, roller blading, skate boarding, X-C skiing, etc.
Snowmobiles, ATV's or motor cycles for recreational activities are prohibited.
CONDUCT IN CEMETERY
Noise - Loitering, playing or any boisterous behavior within the Cemetery or any of its buildings is prohibited.
Rubbish - Throwing of rubbish on roads, driveways, paths, walks, or any part of the grounds or in the buildings is prohibited.
Picnicking - Drinking, and playing are not permitted in the Cemetery.
Flowers and Shrubs - No one shall pick any flowers or foliage, or break any branches, or remove, injure or cut any tree, plant or shrub without specific permission of the Cemetery
Peddling or Soliciting - No one will be permitted to peddle flowers, plants, or any other article or items, or to solicit the sale of any commodity whatsoever within the Cemetery or near the Cemetery gates.
Signs and Advertising - No signs, notices or advertising of any kind shall be allowed within the Cemetery except those placed by the Cemetery.
Photographing funerals is prohibited. Commercial photography and movie making are not permitted except by special permission from the Cemetery.
GRADING AND IMPROVEMENTS
The Cemetery reserves the exclusive right to do all grading, landscape work, improvements of any kind and all care of graves and lots; likewise to plant, trim, cut or remove all trees and shrubs.
All improvements or alterations of graves or lots shall be under the direction of and subject to the approval of the Cemetery; and should they be made without its prior consent, the Cemetery reserves the right to remove, alter or change such improvements or alterations at the expense of the Grave or Lot Holder.
The Cemetery reserves the right to use legally and environmentally approved chemical applications to beautify the Cemetery property.
CEMETERY HOURS
The Administration Office hours are Monday thru Friday 8:30 a. m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The hours of the Cemetery grounds are 7:30 a.m. to Sunset daily. The Office is closed on all of the following
Holidays:
New Year's Day Independence Day
Martin Luther King Day Labor Day
Washington's Birthday Columbus Day
Veteran's Da Patriot's Day
Thanksgiving Day Memorial Day
Christmas Day
EMPLOYEES
Cemetery employees are not permitted to do any work for Grave or Lot Holders except upon the order of the Cemetery, but are required to be civil and courteous to all visitors.
The Cemetery shall have the right to provide security if it deems necessary, but is under no legal obligation to do so.
OUTSIDE WORK
The Cemetery reserves, and shall have, the right to give authorization to any workmen, other than employees of the Cemetery, before they may do work in the Cemetery. Grave or Lot Holders may have certain work done in accordance with these Rules and Regulations at their own expense upon application to the Cemetery.
LOSS OR DAMAGE
The Cemetery disclaims all responsibility for loss or damage from causes beyond its reasonable control, and especially from damage caused by an act of God, the elements, insurrections, riots, order of any military or civil authority, thieves, vandals, strikers, malicious mischief makers, explosions, unavoidable accidents or any cause similar or dissimilar beyond control of the Cemetery whether the damage be direct or collateral. In the event it becomes necessary to reconstruct or repair any or portions thereof in the Cemetery, which has been damaged by such causes, the Cemetery shall give a 10 day written notice of the necessity for such repair to the Grave or Lot Holder of record. The notice shall be given by depositing the same in the United States mail, with postage thereon duly prepaid, addressed to the owner of record at his or her address stated on the books of the Cemetery. In the event the Grave or Lot Holder fails to repair the damage within a reasonable time, the Cemetery may direct that the repairs be made and charge the expense against the grave or lot and to the Grave or Lot Holder of record.
GRAVE OR LOT HOLDERS/REPRESENTATIVES CHANGE IN ADDRESS
It shall be the duty of the Grave or Lot Holder to notify the Cemetery of any change in his post office address. Notice sent to a Grave or Lot Holder at the last address in the Cemetery's records shall be considered sufficient and proper legal notification.
CARE
Woodlawn Cemetery, a non-profit Corporation, is an "Income Care" Cemetery. All monies are used for Cemetery purposes; a portion is set aside for investment, and the proceeds thereof are used to provide general care as stated in Chapter 114, Section 5. "Income Care" is to be understood as that care and maintenance necessitated by natural growth and ordinary wear, and includes cutting of lawns, the pruning of shrubs and trees that may be placed by the Cemetery and the cleaning and maintenance of roadways, walks and buildings, provided there are sufficient funds for these purposes.
The term "Care" shall in no case mean the doing of any special or unusual work in the Cemetery nor does it mean the reconstruction of any granite, bronze or concrete work on any section of the grave or lot or any portion or portions thereof in the Cemetery, injured or damaged by any cause, direct or indirect, beyond the Cemetery's reasonable control.
"Perpetual Care" shall include only those specific services set forth in Perpetual Care contracts with the Grave or Lot Holder, provided said services are not inconsistent with the purpose for which the Cemetery was established or is being maintained.
MEMORIALS AND RULES FOR MEMORIAL WORK
Memorial dealers shall abide by all the Rules and Regulations of the Cemetery.
SELECTION - We suggest that the Grave or Lot Holder consult with the Cemetery regarding the memorial restrictions on their particular site. This should be done prior to contracting a Monument Dealer to avoid misinterpretation and disappointment.
DESIGN - The memorial design which includes all ornamentation and lettering must be permanently etched, sand blasted or handcut (sculptured). This includes photo etchings of deceased, etched scenes, religious symbols or saints, etc.
DESIGN APPROVAL/REJECTION - The memorial dealer will submit an application with a detailed drawing of the memorial, and proper signature of the Grave or Lot Holder to the Cemetery. The drawing will define all dimensions, color, material, type of finish and full extent of ornamentation and lettering. The Cemetery may require additional plans or drawings to support the design. The Cemetery reserves the right to reject the design because of size, configuration, lettering, color, material, finish, quality or method of construction. Furthermore, the Cemetery shall have the same right to prevent installation or remove at Grave or Lot Holder expenses a memorial not in conformance with the design or inferior workmanship consistent with accepted trade standards of good craftmanship.
MATERIAL/FINISHES - The Cemetery has designated in various sections restrictions on granite selection and surface finishes such as non-polished and steeled finishes.
COATINGS - The enameling, coloring, lacquering, bronzing or painting of any part of a memorial is prohibited except mausoleums at the discretion of the Cemetery.
PHOTOGRAPHS - The incorporation of photographs, laminations, plastics, porcelain or any kind of breakable material on or within any memorial is prohibited.
FULL PAYMENT - After design approval the foundation charges will be due, a work order generated and the foundation constructed. The monument dealer will then be notified for delivery. Note in some instances foundation charges have been prepaid.
FOUNDATIONS - All foundation work shall be done by employees of the Cemetery except where specialized skills and equipment are required. The Cemetery reserves the right to approve and/or select any outside contractor.
No foundation shall be built or memorial erected on any lot or grave until payment in full has been made.
SEASONAL LIMITATIONS - The preparation of foundations and the setting of memorials shall take place normally between April 15 and November 15 unless, in the opinion of the Cemetery, the weather conditions are not favorable to permit such work
DELIVERY - No delivery shall be accepted until a MEMORIAL DELIVERY PERMIT, issued by the Cemetery, has been presented at the cemetery office. All deliveries shall be made during regular business hours.
SETTING - Memorial dealers and/or their agents must take all necessary precautions to prevent any damage to grass, shrubs, trees, etc.. Under no circumstances should trucks or cranes drive over graves or lots. Shutters or planks must be used as required.
LOTS (TWO OR MORE GRAVES) - One memorial shall be allowed, the size of the memorial shall be governed by the surface area (1ength x width) of the lot. The length of memorial being governed by the width of lot.
Length of memorial shall not exceed 60% of width of lot. (50% has been the accepted standard for many years).
Height and depth of memorial are in direct proportion to the memorial length.
In some areas of the Cemetery specific memorial restrictions are enforced. These restrictions may effect style, color and finish.
No memorial shall be permitted if the overall face area (including die & base) above ground exceeds 15 % of the area of the lot.
In no case shall the depth of memorial interfere with interment space of the lot.
SINGLE GRAVE, URN GARDEN & LAWNCRYPTS - One bronze marker shall be allowed on this grave, level to the grade, not over two feet (2') in length by one foot two inches (1 '2") in width. Bronze markers must be mounted on a four inch (4") thick granite base consistent with the type of granite in that section.
INSCRIPTIONS
WORKMANSHIP - The Cemetery disclaims any responsibility for the workmanship or accuracy of any inscription. All inscription dates can be verified with our office at no charge.
COMMENCEMENT OF WORK - No inscription work shall commence until the Cemetery has issued a PERMIT TO CUT INSCRIPTION and same has been presented at the Cemetery office, nor shall said work be allowed from December 1, to April 1 unless, at the discretion of the Cemetery, weather conditions are favorable to permit such work. All work must be done during regular business hours unless authorized by the Cemetery.
MARKERS - Only incised or sunken letters shall be permitted on stone markers set level to the ground.
ENCLOSURES - No coping, curb, fence, hedge, buttresses, border or enclosure of any kind bordering any adjacent lot or interment space shall be allowed; and no walks or steps of bricks, cinders, tile, stone, wood, cement, marble or any other material shall be allowed on any lot or other interment space.
ELECTRICAL OR RECORDING DEVICES - The incorporation of electrical or recording devices of any kind on or within any memorial is prohibited.
PHOTOGRAPHY WORK - Photography of memorials shall not be allowed except on written authorization of the Grave or Lot Holder of such interment space of his or her legal Representative and the approval of the Cemetery.
ADVERTISING - With the exception of trade-marks incised on an accessible but inconspicuous part of a memorial, the attaching of material to a memorial or the cutting of a memorial for the purpose of advertising dealers' names is prohibited. Prior to culling such trade-mark on a memorial, said mark of insignia shall be incised on a small sample of stone and presented to the Cemetery for approval.
ERRORS - The Cemetery reserves the right to correct any error in the setting of a memorial.
DAMAGE - The Cemetery shall take reasonable precautions to protect memorials and other ornamentation thereon; however, it will not be responsible for damage to said memorials or ornamentation or to any bronze work or any discoloration to a memorial combined of bronze and stone.
MAUSOLEUMS
SIZE OF LOTS - Private family mausoleums or columbaria shall be permitted to be erected oniy on specifically designated lots approved by the Cemetery.
DESIGN - The mausoleum design with specifications must be submitted to the Cemetery for approval. The Cemetery reserves the right to reject the design because of size, material, configuration or method of construction.
LANDSCAPING - All family mausoleums will be landscaped and maintained by the Cemetery.
PERPETUAL CARE - The Lot Holder of such lot shall, prior to the commencement of any work, deposit a sum with the Cemetery in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of the Cemetery, to provide for the care of the interior and exterior of the mausoleum and the planting in perpetuity.
OTHER INTERMENTS - The Cemetery shall not permit other interments to be made within the lot outside the mausoleum structure.
FOUNDATIONS - Foundations shall be poured to a depth of not less than five feet (5') or to refusal, whichever case may apply, consisting of three thousand pounds per square inch (3,000 psi) concrete. The foundation shall extend two inches (2") beyond the base of the mausoleum on all sides and finished three inches (3") below the grade line.
EXTERIOR SPECIFICATIONS - All exterior components of the mausoleum including walls, roof, ridge, coping, cornice, each shall consist of high quality granite free of seams, cracks, grain variations, and any other defects. Said walls and roof shall be of cut granite not less than ten inches (10") in thickness. All roof pieces shall have adequate drip edges cut on the underside of the eaves. All metal work must be of standard bronze
complying with the specifications of the U.S. Bureau of Standards. Dowels five-eighths of an inch (5/8") in diameter shall be installed in each edge of exterior stone. Bronze anchors shall be a minimum of one-quarter (1/4") in diameter and shall be installed as required. Vents, louvers and screens shall all be made of bronze. Exterior mortar shall consist of stainless white Portland cement or its equivalent.
INTERIOR SPECIFICATIONS - When wall linings or facings of granite or marble are incorporated within the mausoleum, said stone work shall be a minimum of two inches (2") thick and shall be properly anchored to the exterior walls. There shall be an adequate number of one-quarter inch (1/4") in diameter bronze anchors between the interior lining and the exterior walls. There shall be sufficient ventilation provided between the crypts or linings and the exterior walls with inlets and outlets at the top and bottom of each crypt. There shall be a suitable drain connected to each crypt.
KEYS - The Cemetery requires that a set of keys be deposited with the Cemetery office.
IN GENERAL
The statement of any employee of the Cemetery shall not be binding upon the Management of the Cemetery except as such statement coincides with the document conveying the right of interment, and with these Rules and Regulations.
The Cemetery reserves the right, without notice, to make temporary exceptions, suspensions or modification in any of these Rules and Regulations when, in its judgment, the same appears advisable; and such temporary exception, suspension or modification shall in no way be considered as affecting the general application of such Rules and Regulations.
In all matters not specifically covered by these Rules and Regulations, the Cemetery reserves the right to do anything which in its judgment is deemed reasonable under the circumstances and such determination shall be binding upon the Grave or Lot Holder and all parties concerned.
The Cemetery reserves the right at any time and from time to time to change, amend, alter, repeal, rescind or to adopt new Rules and Regulations or any part thereof or to adopt any new rules and regulations with respect to the Cemetery or anything pertaining thereto.
Specific rules pertaining to interments, disinterments, and removals, memorials, cremations and private mausoleums are or will be available at the office.
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