HILLSIDE CEMETERY MONUMENT GUIDELINES Effective January 1, 2013 1. DEFINITIONS (a) Base or Plinth means a rough or smooth edge structure of granite or marble with a smooth top and bottom which is placed on the foundation and upon which a monument is placed. (b) Concrete Ribbon means a cast-in-place concrete pad of varying length covering more than one lot set at level and upon which bases and/or monuments are placed. (c) Flat Monument means a structure of granite, marble, or bronze with such lettering and/or art work as may be desired by the Licensee of the Interment Rights of a lot, which meets the specifications set out in subsection 3(2) of these regulations. (d) Footstone Monument means a flat monument placed at the foot of a lot, which meets the specifications set out in subsection 3(5) of these regulations. (e) Foundation means a pre-poured or cast-in-place concrete pad or granite base of at least 4 inches thick restricted to the maximum width of a lot, set at level and upon which a base and/or a monument is placed. (f) Headstone means a monument placed at the head of a lot. (g) Monument means a memorial structure of granite, marble, or bronze inscribed with such lettering and/or artwork as may be desired by the Licensee of the Interment Rights of a lot. (h) Pillow Monument means a rectangular, flat or sloped structure of granite, marble or bronze inscribed with such lettering and/or art work as may be desired by the Licensee of the Interment Rights of a lot, which meets the specifications set out in subsection 3(3) of these regulations. (i) Upright Monument means a generally rectangular shaped upright structure of marble, granite or bronze inscribed with such lettering and/or art work as may be desired by the Licensee of the Interment Rights of a lot, which meets the specifications set out in subsection 3(4) of these regulations.
2. GENERAL 1. Monuments are to be constructed of granite, marble, bronze or other similar material as per Bylaw 3121. 2. No monument may be placed, altered or removed from any lot until the appropriate form and fees have been submitted to Hillside Cemetery and the Cemeteries Services Foreman has authorized a permit for the work. 3. The full price of a lot must be paid prior to the placement of a monument. 4. All foundations and monuments must be confined within the boundaries of the respective lots. All monuments must be placed in a manner as to maintain whenever possible, a proper alignment consistent with grave monuments on adjacent lots. 5. No foundations may be placed, altered or removed without the approval of the Cemeteries Services Foreman. Foundations will be placed by the Hillside Cemetery Staff upon request and after payment of the applicable fees. All foundations placed in Hillside Cemetery must be made of concrete or at least 4 inch thick granite. 6. Not more than two monuments may be placed upon a single standard lot. The second monument placed upon a standard lot must be a flat monument located at the foot of the lot. 7. All monuments on cremation lots must be flat monuments. All monuments on common graves must be flat monuments. Flat monuments must be placed within foundations by the Hillside Cemetery staff or, if constructed of granite, must have at least a 3 inch border of unmarked granite around the perimeter. Edges of granite must be sawn straight. 8. The Licensee of the Interment Rights is liable and responsible for damages resulting from theft, vandalism or damage howsoever caused to monuments placed on a lot. 9. The installation of monument foundations will not be permitted between November 1 and April 30, due to seasonal weather conditions. If cemetery staff can accommodate due to favourable conditions, they will. 10. All monuments placed at the head of the lot (headstone) must be installed facing on to the lot. All monuments placed at the foot of the lot (footstone) will be installed facing away from the lot. 11. The foundation under or around a monument must allow for a minimum 3 inches of exposed concrete, or granite, around the monument or base measured from the furthest most outside edge of the base or monument. 12. Statues and vases must be constructed of non- breakable material and are to be affixed and make up part of the monument. Statues and vases shall not be placed on foundations. The exception is the Field of Honour where vases may be attached on the continuous concrete ribbon/strip foundation on the north side of all headstones.
13. Restoration of the immediate work area and access points used by monument workers is the responsibility of the permit holder for the monument. Restoration must be completed to the satisfaction of the Cemeteries Services Foreman. 14. A concrete foundation produced and installed by Hillside cemetery is guaranteed from structural defects for one year from date of installation. Any damage caused by the installation of the base or monument is the responsibility of the installer. 15. A granite foundation, not supplied by the City, is the responsibility of the Licensee of the Interment Rights for any theft, vandalism or damage incurred through normal cemetery operations. 16. Fees for installation of a granite base will be listed in the Hillside Cemetery fees and charges. 17. Due to the slippery surface of the granite foundation, the granite base for the monument must be installed within one week of the installation of the granite foundation. 1/8 inch spacers will be required between the base and foundation to allow the cemetery staff to lift the base if needed for grave preparation. 18. All granite foundations must have all edges sawn straight. No rock pitching. 19. All foundations will be installed by cemetery staff. Granite foundations are to be delivered to the rear of the cemetery shop with the name of the client clearly identified on the foundation. The base and headstone for that client will be retained by the monument company off cemetery grounds until the foundation is installed. 20. Foundations will not exceed 36 inches in width in full size lots, 24 inches in infant/child lots, and 20 inches in cremation lots and footstones, except when a removable vase is added. 3. SPECIFICATIONS (1) GENERAL To ensure the consistent application of the following specifications all measurements are described as follows: (a) (b) (c) Length shall mean the measurement of the monument as it would face the lot measured from left to right. Width shall mean the measurement of the monument, as it would face the lot measured from the head of the lot towards the foot of the lot. Height shall mean the measurement of the monument from the foundation to the highest portion of the top of the monument. This measurement shall include all bases and/or plinths placed to elevate the monument.
(2) FLAT MONUMENTS The top of a flat monument must be aligned with the level of the ground in which it is set. Metal flat markers must be set in/on a suitable foundation. A flat monument must be placed in a concrete foundation with at least 3" of concrete surrounding the perimeter of the monument or be part of a complete granite marker where at least three inches of granite around the perimeter is unmarked. Maximum Size of Flat Monuments Length Width Single headstone 42" x 18" Double and Multiple headstone (see note) x 18" Infant/Child headstone 20" x 12" Single footstone 24" x 14" Infant/Child footstone 20" x 12" Note: Maximum length will be determined by the number of lots the monument is intended to service. At no time may the foundation exceed the combined total width of the lot/s. (3) PILLOW MONUMENTS The top of a pillow monument (including base if applicable) must not be more than 16 inches measured vertically from the foundation, and inscribed with such lettering and/or artwork as may be desired by the Licensee of the Interment Rights. A pillow monument may or may not be set on a granite or marble base/plinth but must be set on a foundation projecting 3" on all sides of the pillow or base/plinth. A pillow monument must be placed only at the head of the lot. Maximum Size Of Pillow Monuments (including rough edge) Length Width Height Single 42" x 30 x 16" Double or Multiples (see note) x 30 x 16" Infant/Child 30" x 18" x 16" Note: Maximum length is determined by the number of lots the monument is intended to service. At no time may the foundation exceed the combined total width of the lot/s.
(4) UPRIGHT MONUMENTS An upright monument must not be more that 48" measured vertically from the foundation. An upright memorial must be placed only at the head of the lot. An upright monument may or may not be set on a granite or marble base/plinth. If a granite or marble base/plinth is used, the foundation will project not less than 3" on each side of the base/plinth. No portion of an upright monument shall protrude beyond 3" inside the outer limits of the foundation. Width of an upright monument must be relative to height at a rate of 2" thickness per foot of height. I.e. 2" in width/1 foot height, 8" in width/4 foot height. Maximum Sizes For Upright Monuments (including rough edge) Length Width Height Single 42" x 20" x 48" Double and Multiples (see note) x 20" x 48" Infant/Child 30 x 18" x 48" Note: Maximum length will be determined by the number of lots the monument is intended to service. At no time may the foundation exceed the combined total width of the lot/s. (5) FOOTSTONE MONUMENTS The top of a footstone monument must be aligned with the level of the ground in which it is set. Metal flat markers must be set in/on a suitable foundation. A footstone monument must be placed in a concrete foundation with at least 3" of concrete surrounding the perimeter of the monument or constructed of granite with at least a 3 perimeter of unmarked granite. Maximum size of Footstone Monuments Length Width Footstone Monument 24" x 14" Infant/Child footstone 20" x 12"
4. FIELD OF HONOUR SECTION All monuments placed in the Field of Honour shall be constructed of Barre Grey granite with all steeled or smooth finish. Upright headstone monuments are to have an oval top. Field of Honour monuments may not be set on a granite or marble base/plinth but must be set in a 48" x 20" concrete foundation. Field of Honour footstones must be flush mounted in a concrete foundation projecting 3" on all sides of the monument or constructed of granite with at least a 3 perimeter of unmarked granite. Headstones will be installed with the stone 32 above grade. War Graves Commission headstones shall not be painted, have pictures, or altered in any way. Maximum size of Field of Honour Monuments (including rough edge) Length Width Height Field of Honour (upright headstone) 15" x 3" x 39" Field of Honour (flat footstone) 24" x 14" 5. CREMATED HUMAN REMAINS SECTIONS (Lot size is 3' x 3') All monuments on cremation lots sized 3 X3 must be flat monuments only. The top of a flat monument must be aligned with the level of the ground in which it is set. Metal flat markers must be set in/on a suitable foundation. A flat monument must be placed in a concrete foundation with at least 3" of concrete surrounding the perimeter of the monument or constructed of granite with at least a 3 perimeter of unmarked granite. Maximum size of Flat Monuments Located in Cremated Human Remains Sections (without 3' border) Length Width Single headstone 24" x 14" 6. PRE-POURED CONCRETE RIBBONS/STRIPS In areas of Hillside Cemetery where there are concrete ribbon/strip foundations in place, monuments are restricted to a size that allows 3" of exposed concrete around the entire limits of the memorial whether it is a smooth or rough surface.
7. COLUMBARIA (A) COLUMBARIUM - #1, 3, 4 and 5 Niches The purpose of this section is to provide guidelines for the memorialization (marking) of Columbarium #1, 3, 4 and 5 niches in the Hillside Cemetery. (1) GENERAL Individual niches are approximately 12" x 12" in which two small urns may be inserted. Engraving is the only method to be used for memorialization. Exact specifications are subject to the approval of the Cemeteries Services Foreman. No plaques, vases or similar material are to be attached to the Columbarium in any manner. Niches cannot be sold back to the City of Medicine Hat once the engraving has been started. Errors made in the engraving process are the responsibility of the engraver. Trained, competent persons must do all engraving to City of Medicine Hat standards. The Cemeteries Services Foreman is to be advised of any work to be done on the Columbarium 24 hours prior to commencement. Any damages to the Columbarium as a result of work performed by the engraver shall be repaired at the expense of the engraver to the satisfaction of the Cemeteries Services Foreman within 30 days. (B) COLUMBARIUM #2 Niches are to be memorialized with Bayco Bronze Model BBWR-1. Niche Plate Wreaths only and before installation be inspected by the Cemeteries Services Foreman. The wreath can have a bud vase. Installer is responsible for any damage to the niche cover from installation. (C) COLUMBARIUM #6 Individual niches are approximately 13.75" x 13.75" in which two urns may be inserted. Engraving is the only method to be used for memorialization. Exact specifications are subject to the approval of the Cemeteries Services Foreman. No plaques, vases or similar material are to be attached to the Columbarium in any manner. Niches cannot be sold back to the City of Medicine Hat once the engraving has been started. Errors made in the engraving process are the responsibility of the engraver. Trained, competent persons must do all engraving to City of Medicine Hat standards. The Cemeteries Services Foreman is to be advised of any work to be done on the Columbarium 24 hours prior to commencement. Any damages to the Columbarium as a result of work performed by the engraver shall be repaired at the
expense of the engraver to the satisfaction of the Cemeteries Services Foreman within 30 days. 8. NON-STANDARD MONUMENTS Approval must be granted prior to any work on any monument or foundation that does not conform to these regulations. Applications for exceptions to these regulations must be submitted in writing, clearly describing the item in detail, along with a drawing to the Cemeteries Services Foreman. 9. NON-COMPLIANCE OF MONUMENT GUIDELINES Failure to follow any of the above guidelines after 90 days notification by the Cemeteries Services Foreman of the deficiency will result in the removal of the monument or foundation by cemetery staff. Deficiencies in a foundation will result in its replacement by cemetery staff with a product of their choice and the invoicing of services to the monument company.