arlington_cemetery_policies___regulations.pdf
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Cemetery Policies & Regulations

Updated as of 10/28/2025

State of New Jersey Compliance
In accordance with New Jersey cemetery regulations:

• 15% of each grave sale is contributed to the Maintenance & Preservation Fund (M&P Fund)
• 3% of each interment fee — or $20, whichever is greater — is allocated to the M&P Fund
• 10% of each monument foundation fee — or $20, whichever is greater — is deposited into the M&P Fund
• A mandatory $4.00 per interment is remitted to the New Jersey Cemetery Board

Payment Policy

• All payments must be made online at arlingtoncemeterynj.com/pay
• Cash, checks, and in-person payments are not accepted
• Opening fees may only be paid after an interment is scheduled; advance payment is not permitted
• All sales are final — no refunds will be issued
• Medicaid supplements are not accepted for interments that exceed the Medicaid price limit

Interment Scheduling & Overtime
Interments must be scheduled online by a licensed funeral director via:
calendly.com/arlingtoncemeterynj

Schedule:

• Monday–Friday: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM (most days)
• Saturday (by request only): 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM (additional fees apply)
• No interments on Sundays or holidays (see website for full holiday list)

Service Time Limit:
Each service within the cemetery is limited to 30 minutes from the scheduled time of arrival.
At the 30-minute mark, the service must conclude, and all attendees should begin returning to their vehicles so staff can prepare for the next interment.

Visitors who wish to spend additional time may return after 2:00 PM the same day, once all scheduled services have concluded.

Late Arrivals:

• Funerals arriving after their scheduled time will incur overtime fees billed in 30-minute increments
• Overtime charges are not prorated
• The funeral home is responsible for all overtime fees, which must be paid before any future interments can be scheduled

General Interment Rules

• Caskets must not exceed 30 inches in width or 400 pounds (including contents)
• Fiberboard caskets are not permitted as the first interment in an extra depth grave
• All interment times must be approved in advance by cemetery staff
• The cemetery assigns all grave locations for Economy Section (fka Immediate Need) interments — selection is not permitted
• Only licensed funeral directors may remain at the grave during the lowering; all other attendees must return to vehicles during active burial procedures
• Photography, video recording, filming, or live streaming of any service or staff activity is strictly prohibited
• Cemetery staff may request valid ID and licensure from any funeral director entering the grounds

Live Performances, Music, and Gatherings
Arlington Cemetery is a place of peace, reflection, and respect. Live performances, bands, amplified music, or loud or disruptive activities are strictly prohibited on cemetery grounds.

This includes the use of portable speakers, sound systems, or vehicles playing music at excessive volume.
Quiet, brief musical tributes (e.g., a single instrument or vocalist) may be permitted only with prior written approvalfrom cemetery management.

Exception: Military honors that include ceremonial music are permitted.

Pyrotechnics, Fireworks, and Hazardous Displays:
For safety and respect, pyrotechnics, fireworks, open flames, and similar displays are strictly prohibited.

All gatherings must maintain the dignity and tranquility of the cemetery at all times.

Additional Interments and Monument Policy
When a lot owner requests to add an additional interment to an existing grave:
Existing Monuments

• If a monument already exists, no additional monument, marker, bronze scroll, or tag may be added.
• Monuments are intended as permanent memorials designed to accommodate all interments within the lot.

Inscription Space

• If there is insufficient space for an additional inscription, the lot owner must replace the existing monument with a new one that complies with current regulations.
• All replacement monuments require cemetery approval prior to installation.

Non-Permitted Additions

• Bronze scrolls, tags, attached plates, or any supplemental memorial pieces not part of the original monument design are not permitted.

Approval Requirement

• All additional interments and related monument work must be approved by the cemetery before scheduling or installation.

Cemetery Responsibility

• Arlington Cemetery Association is not responsible for any costs or modifications required to bring a monument into compliance. All related expenses are the lot owner’s responsibility.

Monuments, Foundations & MemorializationApproved Materials & Requirements

• Only granite and bronze monuments are permitted
• Marble, limestone, vases, statues, and attachments on monuments are not allowed
• Monument dealers must verify section-specific requirements before ordering
• The cemetery is not responsible for errors by monument dealers, funeral directors, or family members
• Temporary markers may remain for up to 1 year after the date of death but must not resemble permanent monuments

Foundation Requirements & Timeline

• All memorials require a concrete foundation
• Foundation fees are due prior to installation
• Pricing is based on size or flat rates for standard sizes
• Pre-poured foundations/inscription panels: typically completed within 2 weeks
• Standard foundations: require 8 weeks minimum after grave settling
• No foundations are poured December–March, or longer depending on weather

Installation Policy

• All monuments must be installed by a licensed and insured monument dealer
• The cemetery does not accept monument deliveries or perform installations
• Online-only monument dealers that ship monuments are not permitted

Disinterment Policy
Disinterments must follow strict legal, safety, and operational standards:

• A licensed funeral director must be present
• All legal permits must be submitted in advance
• Scheduling depends on cemetery availability, weather, and safety conditions
• A licensed vault company must provide lifting and transport equipment (cemetery excavation only)
• Family attendance during disinterment is not permitted
• The condition of remains or casket cannot be guaranteed
• Disinterment may be declined or delayed due to safety, condition, or permit issues
• Fees vary by burial type; see current Price List

Economy Section (fka Immediate Need Graves)

• Price includes one grave and the first interment opening fee
• Future openings and foundation fees are not included
• Full payment required in advance
• Medicaid supplements not accepted if total cost exceeds Medicaid limits
• Grave locations are assigned; selection is not permitted
• Visitors may not carry the casket, fill the grave, or remain during active burial procedures
• After the service, all visitors must exit the cemetery
• Ground disturbance near other graves is normal and temporary

Decorations & Prohibited Items Policy
At Arlington Cemetery, our priorities are:

• Safety for visitors and staff
• Cleanliness and dignity of the cemetery grounds
• Clarity that decorations are placed at your own risk. The cemetery is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged decorations.
  Leaving items on a grave is similar to leaving belongings in a public park; we cannot control visitors who may remove them or damage caused by weather or wildlife.

Annual Cleanup

• A cemetery-wide cleanup takes place around January 15 each year (weather permitting)
• Please remove any decorations you wish to keep before this date
• All items left after this date will be removed by cemetery staff
• New decorations may be placed beginning approximately February 13

Holiday Decorations

• Holiday decorations should be removed before the next holiday
• Old or weathered items may be removed without notice to maintain a clean, respectful environment

Acceptable Decorations

• Fresh or artificial flowers are permitted only in cemetery-approved cones
• Flowers may not be pushed directly into the ground
• Decorations must be placed within 12 inches of the monument
• Wildlife may disturb or remove flowers; this is beyond cemetery control

Disclaimer on Hazardous Items
The cemetery reserves the right to remove, without notice, any item that poses a safety hazard to staff, visitors, or property.
Hazardous items include (but are not limited to): glass, metal, oversized, sharp, unstable, or flammable objects.

Prohibited Decoration Items
For safety and maintenance reasons, the following are not permitted:

• Fencing, borders, rocks, or gravel
• Statues, figurines, or stuffed animals
• Glass, ceramic, or metal containers
• Shepherd’s hooks, solar lights, candles, or lanterns
• Permanent plantings (trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetation)
• Permanent structures other than approved monuments
• Oversized decorations or items interfering with maintenance or neighboring graves
• Any object creating a safety hazard for visitors, staff, or equipment

Any prohibited or unsafe items will be removed without notice.

Temporary Grave Markers

• May remain up to one year after the date of death or until a permanent monument is installed, whichever comes first
• Only standard funeral home markers are permitted
• The cemetery does not sell temporary markers and is not responsible for lost or damaged markers

Privacy & Conduct

• We respect your privacy; personal information is never sold or shared
• Photography, filming, or live streaming of services or staff activities is prohibited
• BBQs, tents, or unauthorized gatherings are not permitted
• Visitors must respect all families and may not encroach on neighboring graves or obstruct cemetery operations
• All conduct must maintain peace, dignity, and respect for all visitors

Refund Policy
All sales are final — no refunds will be issued.

Contact Us
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our office:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 201-991-1611
Mail: PO Box 910 Lyndhurst, NJ 07071