ARTICLE V. FUNERALS AND INTERMENTS

DIVISION 1. IN GENERAL

9-87 Superintendent to have control of funerals.

All funerals shall be under the control and subject to the direction of the superintendent while in the cemetery.

(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 1839)

9-88 Funerals not to be held on Sunday, exception.

Interments shall not be held on Sundays except in cases of dire necessity, infectious diseases or plagues, each instance to be approved by the health officer of the city and the board of cemetery commissioners.

(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 1839)

9-89 Openings to be made by cemetery employees.

All openings of graves and all interments shall be made by the employees of the cemeteries under the direction of the superintendent.

(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 1839)

9-90 Notice and permit required for interment.

Adequate notice of any interment shall be given to the superintendent and shall be accompanied by the burial permit issued as required by law.

(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 1839)

9-91 Written order for disinterment required.

No disinterment or removal of any body shall be allowed without lawful written documentation approved by the cemetery superintendent.

(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 1839; Ord. of 2-20-96; Ord. of 11-8-10(1))

State law reference—Unauthorized removal of bodies, 13 V.S.A. § 3761.

9-92 Receiving vault.

During the winter season when it is not practical to make interments, bodies may be placed in the receiving vault. Charges for the use of the vault shall be set by the board of cemetery commissioners.

(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 1840; Ord. of 2-20-96)

9-93 Removal of bodies from vault.

Upon due notice from the superintendent that it is necessary for any reason, bodies shall be removed at once from the vault and be interred. Removal shall occur by the third Friday in May annually unless otherwise directed by the superintendent.

(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 1840; Ord. of 2-20-96)

9-94 Authority of superintendent to make interment.

If, upon notice given to friends of the deceased or to the funeral director, prompt attention is not given to interment, the superintendent shall make the interment in the lot of the deceased or in the lot provided by the cemetery.

(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 1840; Ord. of 2-20-96)

9-95 Interment in lot which has a debt against it prohibited.

The board of cemetery commissioners shall not permit, on any pretext whatever, any interment in a lot or grave that has a debt against such lot or grave.

(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 1836)

9-96 Permission of lot owner required for burial of nonfamily in lot.

Persons desiring to allow the interment of bodies other than members of their own family shall give a written permit for the same signed by the lot owner or by his legal representative.

(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 1836)

9-97 Work to cease during services.

All workers engaged in the vicinity of a burial shall suspend their labors during the services.

(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 1839; Ord. of 2-20-96)

9-98 Infectious diseases.

The cemetery department shall comply with all regulations and recommendations of the state health department regarding the storage and burial of bodies of individuals who have died of infectious or contagious diseases.

(Ord. of 2-20-96)

9-99 Vault design requirements.

Every earth interment other than a burial of cremains will be made in a concrete container or bronze receptacle of 12 gauge or better in addition to the casket. The structural design and vault installation must be approved by the superintendent. All vaults must have a cover made in one piece.

(Ord. of 2-20-96)

DIVISION 2. CREMATION GARDEN AREAS

9-100 Special regulations regarding cremation garden areas.

The burial of cremated remains in the cremation garden areas shall be subject to the following regulations:

(1)    Lots will be sold, without reserve, with a deed being issued.

(2)    Only one burial in each two-foot lot will be permitted.

(3)    The cost of a lot will also include a burial fee for opening and closing the site and perpetual care.

(4)    In the interest of uniformity of style and design, the inscription will provide space for an individual name, including first name, middle initial and last name. In addition, the dates of birth and death will be inscribed in uniform style with the months abbreviated in three (3) letters and full numerical dates thereafter. No other inscription will be permitted.

(5)    The planting of shrubs, plants and flowers will be limited to the cemetery department and will not be permitted by lot holders or others.

(6)    All other rules and regulations of the cemetery will apply.

(Ord. of 2-20-96)

DIVISION 3. BURIALS AT PUBLIC EXPENSE

9-101 Special regulations regarding burials at public expense.

(a)    The board of cemetery commissioners will designate areas to be used for burials at public expense.

(b)    Only one burial is permitted per grave. The interment must comply with all other established burial procedures of the cemetery.

(c)    An application for burial in such an area must be obtained from the superintendent. On said application, the responsible parties must affirm that the deceased was a resident of the city, that there are no assets that could pay the cost of a plot and interment, and that the deceased is not eligible under the provisions of 33 V.S.A. section 2301 for state funds to cover the cost of their burial and grave. The information provided on the submitted application must be attested to before a notary public.

(d)    Any burial in said area will be done at the convenience of the cemetery department, as determined by the superintendent.

(e)    After any interment in one of these areas, no additional marker of any kind can be installed on the plot unless the cemetery department is paid in full for the burial fee, the plot and perpetual care costs in effect at the time of the interment.

(f)    When said reimbursement is paid in full, a deed for the plot will be issued. An appropriate marker can be installed in accordance with established rules and procedures of the cemetery department.

(g)    All fees must be paid in full before any disinterment can occur.

(Ord. of 2-20-96; Ord. of 5-20-02)