Chapter 2.30
CEMETERY
Sections:
2.30.030 Cemetery fund created—Purpose.
2.30.050 Cemetery property subdividing.
2.30.060 Cemetery lot price schedule— Reserved section.
2.30.100 Headstones setting charge.
2.30.110 Flowers and decorations—Rules and restrictions.
2.30.030 Cemetery fund created—Purpose.
There shall be and there is hereby created a fund to be known as the “cemetery fund” (103), into which shall be deposited all funds received from taxation or other sources for cemetery purposes and in the sale of lots, blocks, and grave spaces from the tracts conveyed to the city of Sumas, by the I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 85 or other property hereinafter acquired by the city of Sumas. The funds shall be used for upkeep and improvement of said property and in the care of lots and tracts now and hereinafter occupied for burial purposes as hereinafter provided. (Ord. 1709 (part), 2017: Ord. 691 § 3, 1971)
2.30.050 Cemetery property subdividing.
The city council may from time to time plat, replat or subdivide its cemetery property into such lots, blocks, tracts, alleys, paths, roadway and drives as it may deem necessary or convenient. (Ord. 1709 (part), 2017: Ord. 691 § 5, 1971)
2.30.060 Cemetery lot price schedule—Reserved section.
A schedule of prices of all lots, blocks, tracts, or parcels of land in the platted portion of said cemetery property shall be fixed and adopted by resolution of the city council and filed in the office of the city clerk. Said schedule of prices may be changed or altered by like resolution of the city council from time to time, as in its judgment may be necessary or proper. No lot, tract, or grave space in said cemetery shall be occupied for burial purposes until the same has been paid for in full.
Provided, however, the city council may by resolution, from time to time, set aside certain portions of said cemetery property for the burial of the poor, or persons dying without estates, or means of defraying the cost of a burial site. The portion of the cemetery set aside for such purposes shall be known as the “Sumas Reserved Section” and no charge or compensation shall be charged for burial in the “Sumas Reserved Section.” (Ord. 1709 (part), 2017: Ord. 1441 § 6, 2006: Ord. 691 § 6, 1971)
2.30.070 Restricted uses.
All conveyances of lots, blocks, tracts, or grave spaces in the cemetery shall be restricted for use for burial purposes only and shall restrict the grantee therein, his or her heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns from a sale or disposal thereof, without the consent of the city of Sumas, and shall further provide that such use by the grantee, his or her heirs, administrators, or assigns shall be governed by all rules and regulations now or hereafter imposed by the city of Sumas. (Ord. 1709 (part), 2017: Ord. 691 § 7, 1971)
2.30.100 Headstones setting charge.
There shall be a charge for the setting of headstones in the Sumas Cemetery. The charge shall be as set forth in the city’s fee schedule, or as otherwise established by the city, for each stone set. The city crew shall be responsible for the placing of the headstones with a maximum weight of one hundred twenty-five pounds or less. All stones weighing above one hundred twenty-five pounds must be set or removed by a qualified private contractor, who must be approved by the city, at the expense of the party requesting the service. All stone settings must be set with a pea gravel base that extends below the surface at a minimum of three inches to eliminate the risk of stones being damaged by settling ground due to freezing and thawing conditions. A headstone weighing one hundred twenty-five pounds or less that has previously been set by the city and is removed for inscribing shall be replaced at no additional cost by the city. (Ord. 1779 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1445 § 10, 2006: Ord. 1441 § 10, 2006: Ord. 691 § 10, 1971)
2.30.110 Flowers and decorations—Rules and restrictions.
For purposes of care, maintenance and overall appearance in the cemetery, decorations, including artificial flowers, placed on burial plots are permitted in the cemetery so long as there are no more than three such items on one plot at any given time. Fresh cut flowers and potted plants are allowable as long as the flowers and pots are removed and disposed of when such items begin to wilt and fade. All items can be removed at the discretion of the city crew. The city will not be responsible for any decorations or flowers that are damaged, lost, destroyed, or stolen. (Ord. 1779 § 2, 2021)