Cemetery Rules

The following are the rules for Nativity of the BVM Parish Cemeteries

(Pieta and Mount Carmel) in Tunkhannock, PA

1. Weather permitting, please remove winter decorations, including artificial and silk flowers, by March 1st.  Please remove all memorial decorations within two weeks after Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Memorial Day to allow for proper lawn care and maintenance.
2. The planting of new shrubs or trees within the cemetery is not permitted.  Please trim and maintain all existing shrubs, trees, flowers, and decorations (existing prior to 2007). The caretaker may remove plants that are not maintained or become unsightly.
3. Due to the possibility of breakage during cemetery maintenance, the use of vigil lights will only be permitted on the eve of All Souls Day and for ten days thereafter.  If an area is cleared in front of an upright monument for planting, as described in Rule 7, one vigil light may remain in the planted area throughout the year.  The placing of stones, granite chips, borders or similar materials around monuments is not permitted.
4. The planting of flowers is only allowed in an area one (1) foot in front of an upright monument and extending the width of the upright monument.  Borders (plastic, brick, metal, etc.) are not permitted around the planted area or monument.  No planting is allowed around kneelers or monuments that are flush with the ground.
5. When planting, weeding or performing maintenance around a monument, please remove all stones, weeds, soil, planting pots, jugs, decorations, etc., from the cemetery grounds.
6. At the time of a burial, a maximum of two (2) bouquets of flowers or potted plants is allowed to be placed at the gravesite.  Sprays are not allowed.
7. Prior to the placement, modification or maintenance of a footer, monument or marker, the caretaker and cemetery association must be contacted.  Upright monuments are only allowed on lots with a minimum of two adjacent gravesites according to our cemetery specifications.  All monuments shall be approved prior to being manufactured.  The monument approval request shall contain the size of the base and die (tablet) or flat marker; the material type; the color of monument and/or engravings; and a sketch showing all engravings, markings, and colors on the monument.  Only religious engravings/markings will be permitted; no secular symbols shall be permitted.
8. Pets are not allowed on the cemetery grounds at any time.
9. Repairing damage to grave stones/monuments is the responsibility of the lot (deed) owner, not the cemetery.  Please contact your homeowner’s insurance company.
10. A fee for the setting or marking of a stone or monument is charged at the time it is approved.  This is NOT covered by the purchase of the grave or lot opening.  The cost for the grave only includes basic perpetual care.  An additional fee will be required if a stone or monument needs to be moved and reinstalled at the time of burial. 

 

The Nativity BVM Cemetery Association usually gathers for their annual meeting in August (soon after the close of the fiscal year). The exact date and time are published in the parish bulletin.  The Association meets, as needed, throughout the year and the dates are published in the bulletin as well.  It is a closed meeting. You are free to make your concerns known to the Association in writing in advance of the meeting so that they can be placed on the agenda and properly addressed.

Thank You.

 

Rules & Regulations approved and effective on February 19, 2007