Cemetery Objective:
To Maintain The Parish Cemetery In An Attractive And Dignified Manner.
Cemetery Policies:
Cemetery policies will be set by the Parish Pastoral Council and all cemeteries will be managed by either the parish Cemetery Committee or the Finance and Properties Committee.
Burial Fees:
- A double lot will cost $1,000.00 (10′ Wide x 10′ Long)
- A single lot will cost $500.00 (5′ Wide x 10′ Long)
- All payments made to the Cemetery Committee through the Parish Office.
- (Funeral Directors do not sell or collect monies for cemetery lots)
- When you pay a burial fee, you only receive a right for burial. No deed is issued to the lot purchaser. All cemetery land remains in the ownership of the Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Antigonish and the Parish.
- A family can book and pay up to a double lot, either in advance or at the time of death. If reserved and paid for in advance, the exact location of the plot(s) will only be determined at the time of death according to the next available site. This is so as not to tie up land for many years.
- All monies received from burial fees, from cemetery donations, or any other source associated with the Cemetery will be kept in a separate Cemetery Account. All expenses associated with the cemetery will be paid from this account.
- An annual Cemetery Financial Report will be issued each year and included in the parish financial report.
- Inclement Weather and Winter Burials:
- The remains will be kept in the Funeral Home Vault until suitable weather conditions exist. Any unusual weather conditions causing excessive snow, water or soft ground will result in no burials until conditions improve.
- Headstones, Crosses, Markers:
- There will be no high or large headstones, crosses or markers. These are difficult to maintain and they invite vandalism. All headstones are to be erected in a straight line with the next adjacent headstone. Headstones should fall within the following specifications. These should be made known to the monument company.
- The size of a single headstone or cross should be no larger than: 30″ Long x 13″ Wide x 20″ High
- The size of a double headstone (2 or more names) should be no larger than: 42″ Long x 13″ Wide x 20″ High
- The headstone should be placed on a concrete slab approximately 2″ thick.
- This slab should be set on a gravel base at least 1′ thick. Crosses must meet existing guidelines.
- On existing graves, only one headstone may be placed. For other burials on that same plot (cremains) only a flat marker may be placed on it not a second head stone. Headstones should only be placed after the burial fee has been paid.
7. Landscaping of Lots:
a) All lots are to follow the same ground level as the next finished lot. No raised mounds are permitted and the natural ground level should be followed as closely as possible. This will allow for smooth and continuous mowing.
b) Flowers should be secured to the headstone. This will prevent them from blowing around and allow for unobstructed mowing. If flowers are placed on a lot for a special occasion (Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Cemetery Sunday etc.) they must be removed soon after. Pot holders for hanging plants can be installed by on the headstone.
c) No one shall be permitted to plant trees, shrubs or flower beds on the grave sites. Trees and shrubs may be donated to the cemetery for planting in designated areas.
d) No Fences of any type, including rock or wood markers are to be placed around graves. The placement of gravel or woodchips on graves is not allowed.
e) The placement of ornaments of any type on any grave site in the cemetery is not permitted. Those who place articles on headstones and grave sites on a special occasion (birthday, anniversary) do so with the understanding that they may be removed by the committee if left there permanently and that any damaged or stolen articles are not the responsibility of the parish.
8. Burial of Cremains:
No one is permitted to bury cremains in the cemetery on their own without the knowledge of the parish. If cremains are buried on a new plot the regular burial fee will apply ($500) plus opening and closing the gravesite $250 for an urn $300 for a vault. If the cremain burial is on an existing plot the fee of $250 for an urn $300 for a vault is to be paid to the parish office for the opening and closing of the site. If the cremain burial takes place apart from the involvement of the funeral home the fee for opening and closing ($250) for an urn $300 for a vault must be paid to the cemetery committee through the parish office. Only three cremain burials are allowed per single lot. The 1st burial at the head of the site the 2nd in the middle and the 3rd burial at the foot of the site. All fees to the cemetery committee are to be paid to the parish office.
9. Perpetual Care Fee: (effective October 2024):
If a cremain burial is to be within a lot dated prior to April 1, 1999 (the start date of lots being purchased through the office at a set price with receipt/deed) then a perpetual care fee of $250.00 will be charged in addition to the burial fee.
10. Opening & Closing of all graves:
Please note the opening and closing of grave sites in our parish cemetery is allowed only by the person designated and approved by the Cemetery Committee. This includes the burial of cremains.
( Effective: December 1, 2024)
“St. Joseph Holy Family Cemetery Committee