Assumption Catholic Cemetery MAINTAINING THE BEAUTY AND DIGNITY OF OUR FINAL RESTING PLACE Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace.
A Our Cemetery: A Place of Comfort and Consolation SSUMPTION CEMETERY. God s Acre in the vicinity of Peekskill, is an unfailing reminder of the gift of eternal life that Jesus won for us as well as the doctrine of the Communion of Saints. Since the first burial took place in its sacred ground, Assumption Cemetery has been understood to be an integral part of the mission of Assumption Parish. It is a place set apart and solemnly blessed where the earthly remains of the faithful departed await the day of Resurrection; its presence points to our belief in the Church Triumphant in Heaven, and to the dignity of the human body which in life was the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and in death the bearer of the promise of being reunited with the soul in the Resurrection of the Body. In order to maintain a sense of its sacred mission, Assumption Cemetery offers this booklet which includes guidelines as well as rules and regulations. We are especially grateful to grieving families who find in Assumption Cemetery not only a sacred place to inter the remains of their loved ones, but also a place where their own hearts my find comfort, peace and consolation. Our Cemetery: A Place of Dignity and Beauty Ensuring that Assumption Cemetery remain a beautiful and dignified final resting place befitting our beloved dead is the highest priority of our Cemetery Management Team. We ask that those entrusting their deceased loved ones to our care, remain respectful of Cemetery guidelines secure in the knowledge that the care of their dearly departed is our primary concern. 2
I Interment 1. As a Catholic cemetery, Assumption Cemetery is intended for the internment of Catholics according to Canon Law. Because it is never the wish to separate in death those who were united in life, often, exceptions may be made for non-catholic family members. We ask that any questions regarding the burial of non-catholics be directed to the Pastor of the Church of the Assumption. 2. We ask that those selecting a plot and arranging a funeral or internment provide ample time to respectfully complete the arrangements. 3. Evidence of the eligibility for Catholic burial may be required. 4. Upon entering the Cemetery, all funerals will be under the care and direction of the Cemetery Manager. 5. In the Queen of Heaven Section, the outside dimensions of all vaults may not exceed 34 inches. 6. In the Stations of the Cross Columbarium Garden, the niche size is 12 x12 x15. 3
II Improvements 1. All landscape work, potential improvements and, care of plots are supervised by the Cemetery Manager. All trees and shrubs shall be, trimmed, cut or removed as needed at the discretion of the Cemetery Management Team. 2. Should a plot owner desire to alter a plot in any way either by planting, decorating or by any other means, they must first seek the approval of the Cemetery Management Team. To protect the beauty and dignity of the Cemetery, the Manager, reserves the right to remove plantings or alterations of any kind at the plot owners expense should they not meet with that approval. 3. Only those employed by Assumption Cemetery, are permitted to work in the Cemetery unless otherwise authorized by the Cemetery Manager. However, upon application to the Manager and at their own expense, plot owners may have work done that remains in accordance with the guidelines of Cemetery regulations. III Monument Work 1. Monuments (memorials) or markers may not be placed until all assessments on the grave or plot are satisfied. 2. The Cemetery Manager will supervise the foundations for headstones and markers. 4
3. The headstone on a plot is the principal monument. The family name shall be given prominence and other names added must be in smaller lettering with less prominence. A The size of a monument and base must not exceed two-thirds of the width of the plot, 1 foot 4 inches in depth (front to back), two feet high in Section J four feet within the Queen of Heaven Circle, no height restriction in the perimeter of the Queen of Heaven Section. This regulation applies to all plots of 1, 2, 3 or 4 graves. On larger plots, the base may be proportionately larger however, this larger size must meet with the approval of the Cemetery Management Team. B The headstone is the principal monument and must include a prominent religious symbol. 4. The Cemetery Manager reserves the right to approve and prescribe the kind, size, design, symbolism, craftsmanship, quality and material of memorials, inscriptions, monuments or markers to be placed in the Cemetery. 5. All monuments are subject to the approval of the Cemetery Manager prior to their placement. 6. The Cemetery Manager reserves the right to fix charges for monuments foundations, placements or removals, and to require that charges be paid in advance before any work is completed. The Cemetery Management Team also reserves the right 5
to charge a fee for any memorial left at the Cemetery before a Cemetery permit has been issued. 7. No memorial shall be erected until approved by the Cemetery Management Team. If the memorial does not conform in detail to the approved design, it shall be the sole responsibility of the dealer to correct any errors or deficiencies in workmanship and material. 8. The location and position in which a memorial is to be placed or erected on a plot shall be subject to the approval of the Cemetery Management Team. 9. Only one marker will be permitted on each grave. No marker shall be set to embrace two or more graves unless specifically permitted by the Cemetery Management Team. 10. The location of a plot as the location appears on the deed or Cemetery records must be inscribed on the headstone. 11. The existing monument work in the Cemetery is not to be taken as a precedent for future work. It is suggested that no contract be made for a monument or stone work unless there is assurance that a permit will be issued for the work. 12. The Cemetery will not be responsible for any error that is made by assuming that a permit will be given for a monument or any stone work or erection in the Cemetery. It is advisable, therefore, not to assume the issuance of a permit. 6
13. The Cemetery Management Team will clearly explain to prospective buyers of monuments the reasons for the Cemetery regulations. 14. A permit application and fee is required for birth and death date additions. 15. All monuments in Section J shall not exceed two feet in height. Within the Queen of Heaven, the height limit is four feet. The perimeter of the Queen of Heaven Section does not have a height limit. IV Planting 1. Lawns shall not be disturbed for any purpose except under the supervision of the Cemetery Manager. 2. All planting must conform to Cemetery regulations for space and type. In most cases, perennials, annuals and cut flowers are authorized. 3. The planting space is confined to the head of the plot and should not encroach upon a grave more than 18 inches from the head. This space should remain on the same level as the plot level. 4. Planting of shrubbery, evergreens and bushes, etc. is not permitted. 7
5. Existing planting, shrubbery and evergreens shall be maintained or removed at the discretion of the cemetery manager. 6. Artificial flowers are permitted as long as they do not interfere with plot maintenance and their appearance upholds the beauty and dignity of the Cemetery. 7. Sod destroyed by plot owner-planting will be replaced at the owner s expense. 8. We ask that there be no more than two flags, one of which must be an American flag, be placed on any one plot. Faded flags will be removed immediately. 9. Glass jars, shells and bric-a-brac of any description are not permitted. Any article of this nature placed on plots will be removed. 10. Receptacles are placed at convenient locations for wastepaper, dead flowers, and other debris. 11. Should existing shrubbery or trees grow beyond a reasonable size, the Cemetery Team may remove them, especially if they interfere with Cemetery maintenance. 12. In order to preserve the landscape and vistas of the general Cemetery plan, the Management Team may limit the height or type of plants or shrubs. 13. The Cemetery is not responsible for anything of a movable character that may be lost or damaged. 14. The grave and plot level must conform to ground level. Mounds or depressions are not permitted. 8
In General 1. It is important for plot holders to have their current name and address on file in the Cemetery Office. We ask that plot owners inform the Assumption Cemetery of any address changes. 2. The Cemetery Management Team respectfully reserves the right, without notice, to make temporary exceptions, suspensions or modifications to any of these rules and regulations when, in its judgment, it appears advisable to do so. 3. In all matters not specifically covered by these rules and regulations the Cemetery Management Team reserves the right to do everything possible to maintain the dignity and beauty of this sacred space even if it affects the individual plot owner. Should such a determination be deemed reasonable and necessary, it will be binding upon the plot owner. 4. The Cemetery Management reserves the right at any time and from time to time to change, amend, alter, repeal, rescind or add to these rules and regulations or any part thereof or to adopt any new rule or regulation with respect to said Cemetery or anything pertaining thereto. 5. Sale of plots is permitted to the Cemetery Management Team exclusively. 9
God s City It is a great blessing to have a Catholic cemetery in our midst. Assumption Cemetery is God s City of the Dead. The Cemetery Management Team chosen to preserve and guard this great city considers it an honor and a sacred duty. Plot owners and loved ones can trust that the Management Team will make every effort to communicate all rules, regulations and guidelines whenever possible. It is the care and dignity of our deceased loved ones that remains foremost in the Team s hearts and minds. Assumption Cemetery 1055 Oregon Road Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567 914-736-5981 10
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Assumption Cemetery Visiting Hours: Open Daily Dawn to Dusk Business Hours 7am-3pm Monday-Friday or By Appointment General Rules The speed of vehicles on cemetery grounds shall be limited to 15 mph. All floral pieces will be removed one week after interment services. Conduct of any kind that is boisterous, improper, or does not comply with NYS Law and Canon Law of the Catholic Church is not permitted in the cemetery. Only cemetery employees or companies authorized by cemetery management are permitted to do work within the cemetery. Work orders may be filled out and left in the comment box located near the maintenance garage. Only registered vehicles are permitted on cemetery grounds. Monument work (setting, inscriptions, etc.) is permitted only during business hours. Original Deed, or an affidavit in lieu of the deed, will be required for all interments and monument work. Planting and Decorating Regulations Flowers may be planted up to 18 inches in front of your monument. Fresh cut, annual and artificial flowers are permitted on gravesites. All artificial flowers will be removed and placed in an area where they can be retrieved. Winter decorations are removed starting March 1. Only plastic votive candles are permitted on gravesites. Vases, toys, balloons, fencing, and metal wiring are not permitted on or around monuments. All plants and decorations which violate the above regulations shall be removed or, when in the judgment of cemetery management, their appearance and condition warrant removal. Because the cemetery is open to the public, the Management Team cannot be held responsible for damage, vandalism, or the disappearance of plants or decorations on your gravesite. These rules and regulations apply to all graves and monuments existing now and ones which may be established in the future. (January 2015) 12