Saint Remy Cemetery History

Saint Remy Rural Cemetery Association

Information for Mortuary Professionals

Page Index

Proof of Ownership
Cremation Burials
Footings
Double Burials
Reuse of Ancient Graves
Approved Grave Diggers
Fees
Vaults
Committee of Superintendence
General Cemetery Rules

Proof of Plot Ownership

It is standard practice to require proof of plot ownership prior to burial. The Saint Remy Rural Cemetery Association adheres to this practice because it protects legitimate plot owners, the Association and other involved parties.

While many cemeteries consider a deed to be the only acceptable proof, we understand that a deed may become lost or destroyed. In order to ease the burial process, the Association has developed a list of acceptable proofs of ownership.

Acceptible proofs are listed here.

Any ONE of these proofs is acceptable

A plot deed made out to the person being interred.
An entry in the official books of the Cemetery Association showing ownership by the person being interred.
A canceled check from the person being interred to the Cemetery Association and showing the plot number under notations as well as a legible date and amount paid and deposited to the account of the Cemetery Association.

Any of the above proofs to another name PLUS a written document such as a bequest, will or deed from the original owner (or his heirs or assigns) to the person being interred.

ANY TWO of the following three items:
1. A prior interment in the plot with a burial certificate showing an acceptable name and plot number.
2. An in place permanent marker showing the name of the person to be interred and an acceptible name of a prior burial. (Family stones and similar markers).
3. Appropriate corner markers.
PLUS A notarized affidavit of ownership.

Cremation Burials

The Association fully supports burial of cremated remains.
We allow burial of up to two cremation remains per plot as per Board resolution..
All remains and containers must be buried below
the average frost line¹, or three feet, whichever is greater.
Excavation must be pre-approved by the Association.
Vaults are not required for cremations.

Footings/Foundations

Proper Footings/Foundations are required for all monuments. All foundations must extend below the average frost line¹, or three feet, whichever is greater.
Footings are to be poured concrete. Foundations may be poured concrete, concrete block with masonry joints and filled holes, or stone laid up with mortar.
It is imperative that no upper part of a foundation extend laterally beyond a lower part to prevent frost lifting.
Excavation must be pre-approved by the Association.
Foundations must be at least the full width and length of the monument.
Foundations must be flush with the finished ground surface as much as practical..
We recommend that foundations have a mowing edge extending about two inches beyond the monument on all sides.

Double Burials

While the Association strongly discourages the practice of stacking burials in a single grave, we will consider making an exception for extraordinary circumstances, if we are given adequate proof that the original burial was at a depth of no less then six feet.

Reuse of Ancient Graves

New York State Law permits reuse of graves (with burials over a certain age) by the plot owners. Because this practice brings with it the potential for greater emotional stress for family members, the Association strongly discourages it except where unmarked ancient burials are accidentally disturbed by excavations for new burials.

Approved Grave Diggers

All excavations and persons creating excavations must be approved by the Cemetery Association prior to commencement of work. Excavations are to be made by a pre-approved contractor under the direction of the Association. This also includes cremation burials.

Fees

Our costs for individual graves are $xxx per grave, plus $yyy for four corner markers.

Open and closing charges are $www for full graves and $zzz for cremations.

Vaults

Vaults are required for all burials in the "new" section (all areas north of Greenkill Road)

Vaults are suggested for burials in all areas south of Greenkill road. (Sometimes there is insufficient room for a vault because old plots were smaller.) The Cemetery association shall not be held responsible for the inability to use a vault.

Vaults are not required for cremation burials. Remember that all cremations must be below frost line¹

The Committee of Superintendence

As specified in the by-laws of the Association, the "Committee of Superintendence" or the Superintendent must approve all excavations, burials, markers etc on Cemetery grounds and insure that these items conform to Association rules.

These people are volunteers. They receive no pay for what they do. A Cemetery representative spends 1-3 hours supervising each burial. They help because they care about our community and cemetery.

We are grateful for the professional way that most funeral directors (local and from out of town) work with our staff.

Current General Rules of the Cemetery

Note: This is list is for reference only and is not intended to be all inclusive. The original rules and by-laws also apply unless superceded by current rules.

The Cemetery is open to visitors from dawn until dusk.
Visitors should keep their vehicles on the roads and should not bring vehicles into the cemetery when the ground is wet or snow covered.
The Cemetery is open for burials from April 15th until November 30th - as weather permits.
Plots and lots are available for sale in the new (north) section.
Standard plot size in the new section is 10' by 3' 6" inches.
Standard plot size in the old section is 8' by 3' 4".
Vaults are required in the new section.
Vaults are suggested in the old section - space permitting.
All graves except for cremation remains only are to be at least six feet (72") in depth.
Graves for cremation remains must extend below the frost line¹.
All grave openings must be arranged through the Cemetery Association.
Well cared for live flowers are encouraged. (You may need to bring your own water.)
Artificial flowers are prohibited.
All markers require proper foundations of concrete or stone.
Foundations are required to extend below the frost line¹ and be approved by the Association.
All plots or groups of plots must have permanent corner markers.

Endnote 1: As specified by the Town of Esopus Building Department. (This is currently 42")