Purpose and Intent 

For the mutual protection of lot owners and the Wilton Town Cemeteries as a whole, the following rules and regulations are hereby established for Laurel Hill, South Yard and Vale End Cemeteries and all town managed cemeteries.  All lot owners and persons visiting the cemeteries will be expected to abide by such rules and regulations as herein enacted and as hereafter amended, which are intended to assist in maintaining these cemeteries as a peaceful and beautiful area as well as a reverent symbol of respect for the dead.

Section I. Rules

These rules are established in accordance with New Hampshire RSA 289 Cemeteries/Burials.
A. Burials will be permitted, at all times during the “Normal Burial Period” of April 15th through December 1st of the calendar year unless there is a significant   snowfall after April 15th or prior to December 1st making lot determination uncertain. 
B. There will be no burials on Sundays or any day observed as a  Holiday by the Town of Wilton.
C. Funeral Directors are required to give a 48 hour notice to the Cemetery Board of Trustees prior to burial.
D. One full body burial, two infant burials or two individual urn burials per grave lot will be allowed.
E. All full body burials shall be enclosed in a permanent outside container such as a concrete vault, concrete one piece top grave liner or metal vault. All outer burial containers and vault companies shall be in compliance with all current performance standards of the National Concrete Burial Vault Association.
F. No animal carcass will be buried in any cemetery proper.  Animals may be cremated and buried in a permanent outside container within an existing lot.

Section II.  Sale of Lots

A.  The purchase of a cemetery lot is the purchase of the right of burial in the lot selected and the “deed” receipt does not imply ownership of the land in which a grave is contained.
B    The prices of cemetery lots are as follow:  Two grave lots $600; three grave lots $900; and four grave lots $1,200. Perpetual care is included in the price of the lot.  Perpetual care includes raking, mowing, seeding, and fertilizing when necessary and when it is within budget constraints.  Payment for lots will be made to the Trustee of the Trust Funds. Payment must be made in full at the time of purchase if purchase is pre-need. Payment must be made within 60 days if the purchase of the lot is at the time of need.
C. Lots may be purchased by any current resident of Wilton, previous residents with proof of 10 years or more of Wilton residency, immediate family members of current Wilton residents or immediate family members of previous residents with proof of 10 years or more of Wilton residency. “Immediate family member” is defined as parent, child, legal guardian or ward.
D. Any request to purchase greater than 4 lots per person/family will require the review and approval of the Board of Cemetery Trustees.

Section III.  Markers and Monuments

A. No monument, cenotaph, headstone or other structure may be erected or placed in the cemetery without proper foundation approved by the Cemetery Trustees.
B. With respect to markers, monuments or other structures, the following maximum measurements shall apply:
     1. On single or two grave lots a monument shall be allowed with a base not to exceed three (3) ft wide by one (1) ft deep and the total height shall not exceed three (3) ft.
     2. On lots containing four or more graves, a traditional monument shall be allowed with a base not to exceed five (5) ft wide by two (2) ft deep and a total height not to exceed forty-two (42) in.
     3. Slab Monuments are to be 3 ft wide x 8 in deep x 54 inches in length.
     4. Upright monuments should be place in the center of a four (4) grave lot.
     5. Flush markers for individual graves should be placed at the foot of said grave.
     6. Any marker type not identified in these rules will require review and approval of the Board of Cemetery Trustees.
     7. Owners will be notified in the event their cemetery structure is in need of repair.

Section IV.   Landscaping and Decorations

A. Planting of trees, shrubs and flowers is prohibited.
B. Flowers can be placed adjacent to a monument in a sturdy flower container. When floral arrangements no longer appear respectful for cemetery grounds, they will be discarded by the Overseer of the Cemeteries.
C. No fence shall be placed around the perimeter of any lot.
D. All work done in the cemetery by lot owners or their employees will be subject to supervision by the Overseer of the Cemeteries.  All waste and rubbish resulting from this work will be removed by the lot owner or their employee.
E. Small flags will be allowed on graves, with the understanding that the Overseer of the Cemeteries will have the right to remove them at a later date if necessary for maintenance.
F. All other items left at a grave site after 8 weeks post burial will be removed by the Overseer of the Cemeteries and discarded. 

Section V.  Forfeiture Procedures 

Spaces unused for a period of 50 years will be subject to the forfeiture procedures in accordance with RSA 289:18 
 

Revised:  April 7, 2010 v2