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Rules & Regulations 1. All lots sold are subject to the rules and regulations of the Cemetery Trustees, in force now or adopted at some future time. They shall be used only for the purpose of burying the human dead, and paid for in full before a deed is issued.
2. Ownership interest in any lot shall become valid only upon recordation with the Town Clerk in the Office of the Town of Newfane and such transfer or assignment is endorsed by the Cemetery Trustees.
3. General Maintenance shall include: driveway maintenance to ensure vehicular and pedestrian safety, the maintenance of foot paths in active use, and filling depressions as appropriate following the settling of dirt after interments.
4. The General Maintenance fund will accrue from burials fees paid, in an amount to be determined from time to time by the Cemetery Trustees. The Sustainability fund will be established through the deposit of 10% of sale proceeds into an escrow account, beginning no later than six months of the start of cemetery operations. Prior to that time, sales proceeds will be applied entirely to the capitalization of cemetery start-up costs.
5. Deceased persons shall not be embalmed or topically treated with sprays or compounds, unless with non-toxic products. Bodies accepted for burial shall be wrapped in a shroud, quilt or blanket, and/or placed in a burial container that includes a board, integrated or separate, for stability, as deemed appropriate by cemetery staff. Clothing is optional.
6. All materials used in the manufacturing or constructions of caskets, burial containers, shrouds, quilts, blankets, clothing, and urns shall be 100% biodegradable and non-toxic. Materials used must be plant derived, natural, animal, or biodegradable material, including the shell, liner, handles, fasteners, and adornments of any burial container, shroud, quilt, blanket, clothing or urn. Materials used in the manufacturing, construction, and finishing of products used for burial shall not contain plastics, acrylics, or similar synthetic polymeric materials. Shrouds, quilts, and blankets used for burial without a casket shall have a natural wood backer (plywood and OSB are not acceptable) no less than 1/2″ thick and the length of the body, to stabilize the deceased during the burial process.
7. Vaults and liners (partial, inverted, or otherwise) are prohibited.
8. Enclosures of any kind such as fences, copings, hedges or ditches, are not allowed around any lots. Planting of trees or shrubs are allowed only with permission of Cemetery staff in conjunction with applicable conservation guidelines and forest management plan. No inscriptions, statues, embellishments, effigies, artifacts, lights, wildlife feeders, wind chimes, flags, or artificial decorations are permitted. Cut flower funeral tributes that have been removed from their containers may be buried with the deceased. All other funeral floral tributes may be taken home or they will be disposed of or recycled. Fresh cut flower remembrance tributes may be placed on the grave at any time, and will be removed by Cemetery personnel upon becoming unsightly. The Cemetery reserves the right to determine whether live plantings may be accepted.
9. Grave markers are permitted but not required. One ceramic marker design from a local artisan has been approved, and others may be approved in the future, by Cemetery Trustees. Stones may not exceed 216 square inches (approximately 12 x 18 inches) in size and must lay flat. No foundations are permitted. Markers must be constructed of a natural material. Only one memorial stone is permitted for each burial site. Stones may be engraved, but must remain simple in appearance. Photographs, electronics, sound, etc., are not permitted. The Cemetery may reject/remove, without notice, any memorials that do not meet specifications.
10. Vehicles other than light grave digging equipment are not permitted. Grave sites will be excavated largely under contract through an experienced backhoe operator, though some may be dug by hand but only under the supervision of an experienced on-site grave-digger. Limited use of electric golf carts or similar light transport and people or animal drawn carts is permissible.
11. Disinterments are considered irretrievable. Next-of-kin must sign a waiver attesting to their understanding that the body will not be moved unless ordered by the State. 12. In order to protect and maintain the integrity and intent of the Cemetery, the Board of Trustees reserves the right to refuse the burial of any decedent for non-compliance of the Rules and Regulations as set forth herein.
“Green burial is a great fit for the Green mountains!” —Kate Berdan, Conservationist