RULES AND REGULATIONS Of Wildwood Cemetery Winchester, Massachusetts EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 1993 These rules and regulations have been adopted by the Selectmen acting as a Cemetery Commission. The Commissioners maintain the right to use all portions of the cemetery for its operation and improvements. The Commissioners also have the right to amend or make exception for just cause to the following rules and regulations at any time. 1. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LOT PURCHASE The Cemetery is a non profit entity owned by the Town. Purchase of lots is restricted to residents of Winchester for their use and that of their immediate family. However, a long-time resident who no longer lives in Winchester may purchase up to two graves, (one double deep or two side-by-side) at twice the set price. The definition of a Non-resident will be: Anyone not presently residing in Winchester, except that any resident who has been confined to a Hospital, Continued Care Unit, or Nursing Home out of Town will still be considered a resident. Applications must be completed to determine eligibility and final approval must be obtained from the Director of Public Works or his designee. 2. OWNERSHIP OF LOTS Acquisition of a grave or graves is restricted to a one time basis. Multiple lots must be contiguous and grave sites limited to the interment of the owners and their immediate family (father, mother, and siblings). Ownership of a lot descends through family blood lines, i.e., from parent to child or other heirs-at-law. A spouse of a deceased owner has the right to burial. An owner may request in writing to the Town Manager permission for the burial of other than a blood relative but this does not grant ownership to that person, any statutory provision notwithstanding. All such permissions must be approved by vote of the commissioners. Heirs of the deceased owner may designate among themselves a spokesperson for the group. Heirs may deed their interest to a sole member of the group. If the present owners desire and the lot configuration permits, the Commissioners are authorized to purchase unused graves at their original cost. 3. ADDRESS OF LOT OWNERS Lot owners should keep the Cemetery office informed of current address.
4. DEEDS AND PERPETUAL CARE CERTIFICATES Upon purchase of a lot, the Commissioners will execute and deliver to the purchaser of a lot or grave a deed with complete description of said lot or grave. 5. COST OF GRAVES AND SERVICES The current prices for graves and services are available on request from the Cemetery office. All charges for lots, graves and interments must be paid before burial with a CERTIFIED CHECK. Non-residents will be subject to a surcharge for interment services. 6. PERPETUAL CARE All lots are sold with perpetual care and part of the cost of a lot is designated by the Commissioners to go into the Perpetual Care Fund administered by the Town Comptroller and the Commissioners of Trust Funds. The interest income from this fund is subject to approval each year by Town Meeting for credit to the Cemetery budget. This in turn helps defray the cost of keeping the grounds in condition. The term Perpetual Care means the regular mowing and trimming of lots during the growing season. In no case shall this mean the maintenance, repair or replacement of any gravestones, monumental structures or memorials of any kind or the reconstruction of any damaged gravestones, monuments, or memorials. It does not include the planting or maintenance of plants, flowers, shrubs or trees of any kind. The Cemetery Commissioners accept no responsibility for the growth or survival of any plant, flowers, shrubs or trees of any kind planted by the lot owner. The care and maintenance of plantings, markers and monuments is the responsibility of the owner. Plant materials which are overgrown or in disrepair and which detract from the overall appearance of the Cemetery are subject to removal after an attempt to contact the owner or heirs is made utilizing the address on file: Refer to Item 3. 7. ADDITIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE Lot owners or heirs may provide sums of monies to the Town, the income from which is used to defray the cost of flowers and other adornments on individual lots during May and December.
8. MONUMENTS AND MARKERS An application signed by the owner, including sketches and dimensions must be submitted for all monuments and markers and received the approval of the on site supervisor before installation. Only one central or family monument, above grade, shall be allowed on a lot. All such monuments shall be located on the center line (back or front, depending on the section) of the lot. Orders for monument foundations must be submitted in writing to the Cemetery office. All Memorial Day orders must be received before May first. No foundation order will be filled after November first until the following Spring. Allowable Monument and Marker Size MONUMENT SECTION Grave No. of Size Burials Maximum or Monument Size Single 2 2.0 x 1.0 x 3 high Double/Triple 4/6 3.0 x 1.0 x 3 high Four or Greater 8 plus 4.0 x 1.0 x 3 high MEMORIAL SECTIONS Memorial Parks are sections of the cemetery where only flush markers are allowed and no individual plantings are permitted. It is permissible to put a basket of flowers beside the marker. These areas and the rules governing them are designed for maintenance economy and a natural appearance. Grave No. of Size Burials Maximum or Monument Size Single 2 2.0 x 1.0 Double or Greater 4 plus 3.0 x 1.0 9. INTERMENT OF URNS Single graves may be used for a maximum of four (4) urns containing ashes or a maximum of three (3) urns with one regular casket interment. All urns or other receptacles used for permanent interment must be of a durable and lasting material approved by the Director of Public Works.
10. MAUSOLEUMS Mausoleums are not permitted in Wildwood Cemetery. 11. INTERMENT REQUIREMENTS Burials are permitted every day except Sundays, New Year s Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas unless religious beliefs insist otherwise. All interment orders must be in the office at least 24 hours before burial. Liner requirements: A cement liner or vault is required for all interments. Due to weather conditions, it may be necessary to postpone graveside services and entomb the deceased temporarily. The final decision to entomb shall be made by the Director of Public Works. 12. PLANTING All plants and other personal items currently in place and all future planting of trees, shrubs, or other plants or flowers of any kind on individual lots are subject to the rules and regulations of the Cemetery Commissioners. The objectives of these rules and regulations on matters such as trees, shrubs, flowers as well as personal items and their use in the cemetery shall be: A. The overall appearance and beautification of the Cemetery. B. The condition of individual graves and lots which may be affected by roots, shade and appearance of adjacent trees, shrubs or plantings. C. The efficiency of maintaining the Cemetery grounds in general and individual lots in particular. D. Placing emphasis on the long-term appearance and beauty of the property. E. A serene and contemplative environment for visitors.
The rules and regulations for plantings are as follows: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l) (m) (n) Artificial flowers and plants are not allowed. Planting of trees on individual lots will not be permitted. A maximum of two shrubs may be planted on the lot, limited to one on each side of the monument. The only shrubs which will be permitted are listed at the Cemetery Office. A copy of this list may be obtained on request. These particular shrubs have been selected for their slow growth habits and their general compatibility with good appearance of the grounds and minimum annual maintenance. Any plantings, including annuals must be placed at the level of the prevailing grade and restricted to an area extending no more than 18 inches to the front (that is, toward the grave) or side of each monument. Plant materials may not extend behind the monument or beyond the lot line of any lot. All plantings must be maintained at a height not to exceed the height of an allowed monument on the lot. No individual plantings will be permitted in the general memorial (flat marker) area in which standing stones are prohibited. No personal items may be inserted in the ground in this area, except small American flags as permitted in paragraph (l) below. Flower urns and flame torches (perpetual or vigil lights) are not permitted. Battery or solar powered lights are also not permitted. Flower and plant containers and other items made of glass are not permitted. All flowers and plants and their containers are to be removed from individual lots when they have become unsightly or unattractive. Individual water systems are not permitted. Barriers of any nature, such as bricks, stones, fences, ditches, mounds or other curbing are not allowed on any lot. Holiday wreaths are permitted on monuments. However, other personal items, including but not limited to wind chimes, wreaths, holiday ornaments, or watering hoses may not be placed on or hanging from any tree or monument. Small American flags are permitted. However, other Personal Items measuring more than 8 inches in any direction, such as metal plant hangers, balloons, flags, toys, pinwheels and statues, are not allowed. New graves may be temporarily marked with a basket of flowers or other small remembrance consistent with these regulations. Any plantings or personal items that do not conform to these rules and regulations are subject to removal. Holiday decorations may be placed from May 15 to July and from December 1 to January 15, and are subject to removal by cemetery staff after these dates.
13 GENERAL RULES 1. All vehicles must travel on road ways. 2. No motorized, unlicensed bikes allowed 3. No dogs allowed in the cemetery. 4. No barbeques or picnics allowed 5. No ball playing allowed. 6. No alcoholic beverages are allowed. 7. No on is allowed on cemetery grounds after dark. 14 HOURS OF OPERATION Office As posted Gates As posted Office Phone 781-721-7142