The rules and regulations set forth below are designed to preserve the appearance and dignity of the cemetery and mausoleum areas ensuring that Mt. Hope Cemetery is a quiet and beautiful place which honors the deceased. In keeping with this goal, cemetery lot holders are requested to consider that their lot is but a part of a whole and decorations should be placed giving consideration to their surroundings. If you have any questions about grave decorations, please consult the Cemetery Coordinator at City Hall.
1. GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
- Hours of operation: grounds from 8 a.m. until dusk and the mausoleum by appointment only.
- Only human remains are permitted to be buried withinthe cemetery.
- Temporary markers should remain up on the burialsite for no more than 90 days providing weather permits the placement of a permanent headstone. The City is not responsible for the condition of temporary markers.
- The sale or transfer of any interment right by any owner shall not be binding upon the cemetery unless it shall first be duly approved in writing and duly recorded in the cemetery office at City Hall by an authorized representative of the City. All transfers of ownership maybe subject to anominal transfer fee.
- All ground interments made within the cemetery shall require an outer burial container approved by the cemetery. Memorial markers shall conform to the requirements set forth in the field book located at the cemetery office and at City Hall.
- Flowers and floral designs (whether artificialor natural) are allowed but must be secured/anchored in a container approved by the City. No glass or breakable containers are allowed with the exception of a ten(10) dayperiod both before and after Memorial Day. In addition, flower and floral designs as well as potted plants maybe placed loosely on or immediately adjacent to head stones during this period. During anyother time of the year while the cemetery is being mowed, any decoration(non breakable personal item) placed loosely on or adjacent to a headstone may be collected when that section is mowed if such decoration significantly impedes lawn maintenance. Ifremoved,such decorations will be stored untilclaimed or until November 1st, except for perishable and deteriorated items.
- American flags that stand less thanthree feet above the surface are allowed.
- Plant hangars that stand six feet or less above the surface are allowed providing that such hangars are immediately adjacent to and touching the headstone.
- Flowers, floral designs, or decorations of any kind may be removed when, in the opinion of the Cemetery Coordinator, they become damaged by the elements, unsightly, diseased, or do not conformto these Rules and Regulations.
- Decorations (nonbreakable personal items) may remain on head stones from November 1st through January 31st. Beginning February of each year, following published public notice, all decorations will be removed from head stones for spring cleanup. Such decorations will be stored until claimed or until November 1st, except for perishable or deteriorated items.
- Except with the written consent of the City, no flowers, shrubs, ortrees shall be planted within the cemetery. Whether or not such permission is given, the Contractor may petition the City to remove any such flowers, shrubs, trees, or other plantings when, in the opinion of the Cemetery Coordinator, they interfere with proper maintenance or detract from the appearance of the cemetery grounds or buildings. No fence, railing, coping, or hedge shall be placed beside or around any burial space, nor shall any vase, seat, rock works,or other architectural objects be installed without the written consent of the City. When, in the opinion of the Cemetery Coordinator, such objects interfere with the proper maintenance or detract fromthe appearance of the cemetery, the Contractor may petition the City for removal.
- The cemetery is not responsible for any theft or vandalism taking place upon cemetery grounds nor is the cemetery responsible for any decorations, holders, or other devices placed upon graves.
- No motor vehicle shall be driven more than 10 mph in the cemetery. No motor vehicle shall be driven off of a road except onto a road shoulder to allow for safe traffic flow.
- No firearms or fireworks are permitted in the cemetery except for a military honor guard conducting a military service under the charge of an officer.
- Disturbing wildlife upon cemetery property is not permitted. Hunting or trapping is not allowed except upon authorization by the City Manager.
6. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
The following are prohibited at Mt. HopeCemetery:
- a. Dogs with the exception of service dogs.
- b. Smoking.
- c. Picking flowers or plants.
- d. Damaging trees or shrubs.
- e. Defacing any walls or headstones.
- f. The use of wire of anykind to secure any decoration.
- g. Removing decorations without the permission of the City unless in accordance with these Rules and Regulations.
The cemetery encourages the use of fresh flowers inthe mausoleum and niche areas, although artificial arrangements may also be used. Attention should be given to the following:
- a. Caution should be used in selecting artificial flowers as some dyes can run and deface the crypt or niche front and possibly those below.
- b. Avoid arrangements too high or too bulky for the crypt or niche vase.
- c. Avoid the use of sand or gravel in a crypt or niche vase to hold flowers in place. Styrofoam is suggested.
- d. Glass or breakable containers are not allowed.
- e. No arrangements, flags, decals, etc, are allowed to be attached in any manner to a crypt or niche front.
- Complaints or comments may be filed on a "Cemetery Comment Form" which can be obtained from the Contractor staff or by doing so at City Hall.