Cemetery Regulations?

How to Check Cemetery Regulations Before Purchasing a Headstone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Purchasing a headstone for a loved one is a deeply personal and meaningful decision. However, before you make any final decisions on the design, size, or material of the memorial, it's essential to check the regulations and guidelines set forth by the cemetery. Cemeteries often have specific rules regarding the type, size, and placement of headstones, which can impact your choices and prevent potential issues during the installation process.

In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the steps of checking cemetery regulations before purchasing a headstone, ensuring that you make an informed decision and that your chosen memorial complies with cemetery rules.

Parker Monuments can help you navigate cemetery regulations, just ask!

1. Contact the Cemetery Directly

The first and most direct step in checking cemetery regulations is to contact the cemetery office. Most cemeteries have specific staff members who handle memorial-related requests and can provide you with a copy of their guidelines. 

Some cemeteries may have their regulations posted online, but reaching out directly ensures that you get the most current and specific information. Here are some key points you may need to ask about:

• Size Restrictions: Cemeteries often limit the size of headstones to maintain uniformity and ensure that the memorials fit properly in the designated spaces.
• Material Guidelines: Some cemeteries may have preferences for or restrictions on materials, such as granite, marble, or bronze, based on aesthetic, maintenance, or durability considerations.
• Design and Style: Certain design features, such as specific shapes, carvings, or engraving styles, may or may not be permitted.
• Installation Rules: Some cemeteries require a licensed professional to install the headstone or have specific placement instructions.
• Setback and Spacing Requirements: Cemeteries often have precise rules regarding how far the headstone must be placed from the grave plot or from neighboring memorials.

By contacting the cemetery office, you ensure that you’re fully aware of these factors before proceeding with your purchase.

2. Request a Copy of the Cemetery’s Memorial Guidelines

Many cemeteries provide written documentation outlining their rules and guidelines for headstones, which can be invaluable for understanding what is and isn’t allowed. This document may include detailed information on:

• Headstone Dimensions: Maximum or minimum height, width, and depth allowed for headstones, as well as any rules regarding the use of bases or foundations.
• Materials and Colors: Cemeteries may have preferences for certain stone types (e.g., granite over marble) or specific color restrictions to maintain a cohesive aesthetic within the grounds.
• Inscriptions and Artwork: Some cemeteries allow personalized engravings or images, while others may limit the types of engravings (e.g., religious symbols, family names, dates) to maintain uniformity.
• Placement Instructions: This could include guidelines on how the headstone should be oriented (e.g., facing east), and whether there are any specific location requirements for installation.

Having a physical or digital copy of these guidelines will give you a clear understanding of the boundaries within which you need to work, and help you avoid costly mistakes.  Often a monument company will have record of regulations for local cemeteries.

3. Verify the Cemetery’s Plot Ownership and Headstone Policies

It’s important to verify that the plot where you plan to install the headstone is actually owned by the individual or family who intends to place the memorial. Some cemeteries have rules that only the plot owner or their legal representative can make decisions about headstone installation. If the plot has multiple owners (e.g., a family plot), the cemetery may require approval from all owners before a memorial is installed.

4. Understand the Cemetery’s Maintenance and Care Policies

Cemeteries have different approaches to maintaining and caring for memorials, and it’s essential to understand how these policies may impact your decision. Some things to consider include:

• Ongoing Maintenance: Some cemeteries offer ongoing maintenance services for headstones, while others may leave upkeep to the family. If maintenance is the responsibility of the cemetery, ask whether they have any special rules regarding materials or finishes that are easier to care for.
• Cleaning and Repair Guidelines: Some cemeteries have restrictions on how headstones can be cleaned or repaired, and they may have preferred methods or designated staff for these tasks.
• Planting and Decoration: Many cemeteries have specific rules about the placement of flowers, vases, or other personal decorations around headstones. These rules often complement the guidelines for headstone design, ensuring that the cemetery grounds remain neat and uniform.

Understanding how the cemetery handles maintenance and decoration will help you choose a headstone that will stand the test of time while also making it easier for you to care for the memorial.

5. Confirm the Timeline for Approval and Installation

Once you have confirmed the regulations and selected a headstone, it’s important to understand the timeline for approval and installation. Cemeteries often require a review period for memorial designs to ensure that they comply with the rules.

Additionally, ask about the timeline for installation. Many cemeteries only allow headstones to be installed during certain seasons or time frames (e.g., avoiding winter months in colder climates), so understanding these restrictions will help you plan accordingly. Some cemeteries may also require you to use a licensed installer or may have specific installation procedures that need to be followed.

6. Review Local or Regional Cemetery Guidelines

If the cemetery is part of a larger group, such as a regional or national cemetery association, it may follow broader rules set by that organization. Be sure to ask if there are any policies that could affect your headstone choices. This is especially important if you're purchasing a headstone for a national cemetery, a historic site, or a religious cemetery with more specific requirements.

Conclusion

Before purchasing a custom headstone, checking the cemetery regulations is a crucial step in the process. By taking the time to reach out to the cemetery, review their policies, and understand the guidelines surrounding size, material, design, and installation, you can ensure that your memorial is not only meaningful but also in compliance with all necessary regulations. This will help avoid delays, unexpected costs, and potential frustrations during the ordering and installation process, allowing you to honor your loved one’s memory with peace of mind.

By following these steps, you’ll be prepared to make an informed and thoughtful decision that aligns with both your personal preferences and the cemetery’s requirements.