Rules

Present policy allows two cremations per gravesite. A section of the cemetery has been set aside solely for the burial of cremated remains. In this section, granite markers flush with the ground must be used. Approval of the size and style of the marker must be obtained from the Cemetery management.

Urns containing ashes of the deceased must be placed in a vault furnished by the funeral director and sealed.  The current prices of the small lot may be obtained from the small lot may be obtained from the Cemetery office. At the time of burial, a cremation certificate must be delivered to the office.

Cemetery lots, containing from one to ten graves, are available on a pre-need basis. The current price schedule of cemetery lots is available for consultation at the cemetery office. In certain cases, cemetery lots may be purchased on an installment basis, with one third down and the balance paid within one year. No burials are permitted until final payment has been made.

In the case of a single-grave lot, a receipt of purchase is given to the purchaser of the family of the deceased. For lots with two or more graves, a deed is made out in the name of the purchaser or survivors. The deed is delivered only when the cost of the lot has been paid in full.

A percentage of the sale of a lot, determined by the Board of Directors, is added to the Perpetual Care Account. Any lot owner or heir-at-law may increase the amount originally set aside for Perpetual Care. The Cemetery Association understands Perpetual Care to include all work required to keep lots in good condition; cutting, fertilizing grass and refilling graves. Perpetual Care does not include rebuilding monument foundations unless specific provisions have been made for that purpose.

Transfer of a lot from the original owner to another party must be made upon a form provided by the Association and registered in the cemetery office.

Heirs-at-law, blood relatives, or survivors of the purchaser of any lot may designate in writing the names of individuals who may in the future be interred on the specific lot, provided there is space for these burials. This letter of instructions must be witnessed and signed before a notary public.

Services for annual care of lots are payable April 1^st of each year. This regulation deals only with cemetery lots purchased prior to the establishment of the “Perpetual Care Fund” in 1917, since all lot sales now include a percentage to be transferred to Perpetual Care Account.

No lot owners shall erect or place upon any lot, a monument, headstone, or other structure composed of cement, white bronze, iron, or wood.

Whenever a monument or marker is to be placed on a lot, an application must be filed with the cemetery.  Application forms may be obtained from the cemetery office or from the monument company who have been authorized by the lot owner to make up said monument or marker. The application must be submitted to the office for approval since the cemetery has certain requirements regarding size, composition, and style.  Only a flat marker may be used on single graves. When the cemetery approves the application and the sketch of the proposed monument or marker, the monument company may proceed with the work. The Cemetery will prepare foundations for the monuments whose applications have been approved. Upon completion of this work, the monument company is notified that the monument or marker may be placed on the cemetery lot. The Cemetery management levies a charge for the cost of the foundation.

Veterans markers may be obtained from the State of Connecticut, usually with the assistance of the funeral director. Application forms for these, like all markers, must be submitted to the Cemetery office for approval.  Veterans markers are usually a flat bronze plaque or flush granite stone, or an upright marble one. If the veteran’s place of burial is a single grave, then only the flat bronze plaque or flush marker may be used. On a two grave lot only one upright marker is permitted.

Temporary markers are usually provided by the funeral director pending the placement of a permanent gravestone. If no permanent stone is provided within a two-year period, the cemetery reserves the right to remove the temporary marker and to make a notation on the lot card.

Mausoleums are no longer permitted because of the excessive cost of maintenance.

No monument, gravestone, or marker may be erected or put in place unless the purchase price of the cemetery lot is paid in full.

Floral arrangements used at the time of interment will be removed when they have become wilted or unsightly. No person shall plant any flower or shrub of a permanent nature on a grave or lot without the consent of the cemetery management. Tin cans, bottles, or jars will not be permitted as containers for flowers and shall be removed if noticed. Floral decorations may consist only of those in plastic or clay pots, and if flowers wilt and dry up, cemetery employees will remove them. The cemetery is not responsible for watering any plants or flowers placed on a lot, except on plots where special flower funds have been created to provide for this service. In the spring of each year, usually the latter part of March, all winter decorations of any sort will be removed in order to make possible the annual clean-up of the entire cemetery. Information regarding the time of this activity is usually given in the local newspaper.

The installation of “guiding lights” is not recommended by the cemetery management, and permission must be obtained before placing a light upon a grave. If the management determines that they are not being used properly and the candles are not burning, the cemetery will remove the light to the office for retrieval by its owner.

Permission must be obtained from the management before placing an urn on a lot. Only urns which conform to the size of the lot will be permitted. All urns which are found not to be in use will be removed by the cemetery employees.

Artificial flowers must be limited to one display per grave. Excess displays will be removed by the cemetery without notification.

No one may pick flowers or cut shrubs and trees on any of the cemetery property.

Dead flowers and other refuse should be discarded in receptacles provided throughout the cemetery.

Photographic reproductions of the deceased on gravestones are forbidden.

Small plastic statues are also not permitted.

American flags are placed on veterans’ graves immediately prior to Memorial Day and removed by September 15^th of each year by the cemetery management.  The placing of flags for deceased members of armed forces of all wars remains the responsibility of the various veterans and fraternal organizations. When the cemetery management observes flags to be faded, torn, and in poor condition,  employees will remove them. In all cases, flags will be removed by September 15^th of each year since their condition has generally deteriorated by then. The management has no objection to a flag on a veterans grave throughout the year as long as the family of the deceased assumes the responsibility of setting out new flags from time to time.

All outside contractors and their employees are subject to the control of the Superintendent. The contractor must furnish the cemetery management with proof that he possesses the required insurance such as liability and workers’ compensation before any work commences. No monument work shall be performed unless prior notification has been given to the Cemetery that the monuments or markers are ready for placement.  Monument work shall be performed only on normal workdays.

Heavy-laden trucks are not allowed to enter the Cemetery if, in the opinion of the Superintendent, damage to roads or trees will occur.

No bicycling is permitted.

Speed of vehicles inside the Cemetery is limited to 15 miles per hour.

The by-laws and regulations of Cedar Grove Cemetery are intended to protect the rights and privileges of lot owners, not to restrict them. All lots are sold subject to new rules and regulations that may be adopted thereafter.

This building, a combination administrative office, chapel, and visitor center. No charge is made for the use of the chapel. The cemetery office and the Beckwith Memorial Building are closed Saturdays and Sundays and the following legal holidays: New Year’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.