Frequently Asked Questions
These are some general questions we frequently receive.
Expenses
What type of expenses can I expect to have at the cemetery?
There are a few expenses you may want to keep in mind when planning to utilize the cemetery.
Cemetery expenses include, but are not limited to:
Grave Purchase
Opening Fee(s)
Foundation/Permit Fees
Our price list can be found here.
Cemetery expenses include, but are not limited to:
Grave Purchase
Opening Fee(s)
Foundation/Permit Fees
Our price list can be found here.
Do I have to pay a fee for maintenance for perpetual care such as grass cutting or seeding?
We do not charge perpetual care. All grass cutting and seeding is performed by the cemetery at no extra charge. A portion of all fees paid to the cemetery are put into a Maintenance & Preservation fund, as required by NJ State Law, in the event that our cemetery can no longer run on it's own, the state will have money to handle the maintenance.
Grave Purchasing
What type of graves do you offer?
We have cremation size graves, child graves, standard adult graves, and immediate need graves.
Immediate Need Graves
Can I choose the grave location in the Immediate Need section?
No. In the immediate need areas the cemetery chooses the grave location the day of the burial. We cannot guarantee any particular section will be able to be used on any given day. Many factors play into the choice in the immediate need areas, and we are not liable for the section that is ultimately chosen/used for the burial location. There may be last minute instances that result in the cemetery choosing a grave in a different location without prior notice.
Burials
Can we fill in the grave ourselves?
No. For safety and insurance purposes this is not permitted.
Can we watch the grave being filled in?
No. For safety and insurance purposes this is not permitted.
Can we return to the grave site after the grave is filled in?
The grave site area must be completely cleared before we can fill the grave, and you may only return after work in that area is completed for the day. Please keep in mind that we have multiple burials scheduled back to back in many of our areas and the area must be cleared so that our workers can open a new grave for the next burial. We ask that you are respectful of this policy and respectful for the next family coming into the cemetery for their services.
Monuments (headstones, markers, etc.)
I want to place a monument on a grave site, how do I do this?
You must visit a licensed monument dealer to purchase a headstone for your grave site. In NJ, cemeteries are not permitted to sell monuments. We have a listing of local monument dealers on this website under 'Local Services'.
What type of monument can I have?
Each section of our cemetery, and each plot within a section may have a different requirement. We ask that you or your monument dealer call us to request the size of the monument permitted in your section.
I do not like the type of monument that is required in my section. Can I change it?
We cannot make exceptions or changes to the rules and regulations regarding monument style.
What is the monument ordering process?
Your first step is to visit a monument dealer (or multiple if you'd like to comparison shop).
Your monument dealer will design the monument with your guidance.
The monument dealer is then responsible for sending the cemetery a foundation/permit order and the appropriate fee so that we know someone is purchasing a monument, and so we can make sure the foundation is ready.
Once we process the foundation/permit order we send the monument dealer a permit which will allow them to set the monument on the grave site.
Each monument dealer does their process differently, so you may want to ask them; "At what stage in this process do you send the cemetery the foundation/permit order form?" Some monument dealers submit the form to us in the very beginning soon after you place your order, while others wait until they are paid for the monument in full before submitting the foundation/permit order (this method usually causes delay and frustration for the customer as their monument is not set immediately after payment).
Your monument dealer will design the monument with your guidance.
The monument dealer is then responsible for sending the cemetery a foundation/permit order and the appropriate fee so that we know someone is purchasing a monument, and so we can make sure the foundation is ready.
Once we process the foundation/permit order we send the monument dealer a permit which will allow them to set the monument on the grave site.
Each monument dealer does their process differently, so you may want to ask them; "At what stage in this process do you send the cemetery the foundation/permit order form?" Some monument dealers submit the form to us in the very beginning soon after you place your order, while others wait until they are paid for the monument in full before submitting the foundation/permit order (this method usually causes delay and frustration for the customer as their monument is not set immediately after payment).
I paid my monument dealer in full, why hasn't my monument been set?
The monument dealer is responsible for submitting a foundation order. Once we receive the foundation order, and it is approved, we send your monument a permit which allows them to set the monument. If a foundation needs to be poured, the permit will be mailed when it is complete.
If your monument dealer told you "I'm waiting on the cemetery for approval" - you can either email or call us to see if your monument dealer has mailed in the foundation order. If we do not have an order on file you should call your monument dealer and ask when they will send the order to our office or why they have not yet sent the order to our office.
If you feel your monument dealer has wrongfully handled the foundation/permit ordering process please submit a complaint with us here: Monument Dealer Complaint Form
If your monument dealer told you "I'm waiting on the cemetery for approval" - you can either email or call us to see if your monument dealer has mailed in the foundation order. If we do not have an order on file you should call your monument dealer and ask when they will send the order to our office or why they have not yet sent the order to our office.
If you feel your monument dealer has wrongfully handled the foundation/permit ordering process please submit a complaint with us here: Monument Dealer Complaint Form
How long does it take to pour a foundation and send the permit to the monument dealer?
We have a few sections in the cemetery where the foundation is pre-poured, this helps to speed up the process as you can generally have your monument set without a waiting period. Permits for foundations in these areas are send back within 2 weeks.
If the grave site does not have a pre-poured foundation it may take 6 - 8 weeks.
If the foundation order is for a new grave with a recent interment it will take longer because the ground will need to settle before we pour the foundation. The speed of the ground settling will depend on weather conditions and usage of a vault.
Generally, we do not pour foundations from December 1st through March 20th, depending on the weather.
If the grave site does not have a pre-poured foundation it may take 6 - 8 weeks.
If the foundation order is for a new grave with a recent interment it will take longer because the ground will need to settle before we pour the foundation. The speed of the ground settling will depend on weather conditions and usage of a vault.
Generally, we do not pour foundations from December 1st through March 20th, depending on the weather.
Why is there a foundation fee? Wasn't this included with my grave purchase?
The foundation fee is completely separate from any grave purchase or opening fees. A foundation is required to be placed below every monument in our cemetery. There is a fee for each foundation that varies in accordance with the size of the foundation.
The foundation was already poured when I purchased the grave, why do I have to pay for it?
If there was a foundation already poured at the grave site when you purchase or first interred an individual, that means there is a pre-poured foundation. We pre-pour foundations in some areas with high activity levels, essentially creating long strips of concrete foundation.
Pre-pouring a foundation serves multiple purposes:
Pre-pouring a foundation serves multiple purposes:
- Since the foundation is poured, there is no waiting period for the ground to settle.
- Larger slabs of continuous foundation create more stability for the foundation, monuments, and the surrounding grave sites.
Can I purchased a monument for a grave that I do not own?
Technically, no. We require the Lot Owner of each grave to sign an authorization form for each monument purchased. Some people choose to not have a headstone, and that is one of their rights as a Lot Owner. There are certain instances where a non-lot owner may be allowed to purchase a monument, but there are limitations and consequences which may follow.
Do I have to wait 6 months or a year before ordering a monument?
No. You do not have to wait to order your monument - the sooner you place an order, the sooner you can get your monument on the grave. We suggest ordering your monument earlier so that there is less processing time between the point of purchase and the installation date. In some areas where we need to pour a concrete foundation (if it is not pre-poured) the ground does need to settle to prevent the monument from sinking. Settling happens at different rates and is dependent upon the type of vault/casket used, the ground conditions, and the weather. A grave can be completely settled in a few weeks, while other times it may take a few months.
If you wait to place your monument order after the grave has been settled then you will have to wait the additional time for the foundation order to be submitted and put onto our foundation list for pouring, which may end up being during the period of the year when we don't pour foundations.
Your best option is to talk with your monument dealer, ask them at which point during the order process do they send the cemetery payment for the foundation along with the foundation order, and from that point forward once we have received the paperwork we can put the order on the list and when the grave is completely settled we will pour the foundation.
If you wait to place your monument order after the grave has been settled then you will have to wait the additional time for the foundation order to be submitted and put onto our foundation list for pouring, which may end up being during the period of the year when we don't pour foundations.
Your best option is to talk with your monument dealer, ask them at which point during the order process do they send the cemetery payment for the foundation along with the foundation order, and from that point forward once we have received the paperwork we can put the order on the list and when the grave is completely settled we will pour the foundation.
Decorations
We do an annual cleanup around January 15th every year. All decorations that you wish to keep should be removed from the grave prior to the week of January 15th (weather dependent). Anything left on the graves will be removed by the cemetery staff in an effort to maintain the cemetery. If there are items you wish to place back on the graves please wait until February 1st.
What type of decorations can I put on the grave site?
We require all decoration to be as close to the headstone as possible, and definitely do not exceed 12 inches from the headstone - anything outside of this area greatly interferes with our general maintenance. We suggest using plastic cones to place your flowers (fresh or artificial) on the grave site. Some individuals like to decorate with small statues or glass/rock - all of which can become a safety hazard and/or damage your monument. Please see the Prohibited Item list for items that you should not place on the grave site. If you are unsure that your decoration is permitted, please ask the outside staff.
Where are my fresh flowers, did the cemetery workers cut them down?
If you notice that your fresh flowers look chopped or cut, this is almost always due to an animal (we have groundhogs, deer, foxes, and a variety of other animals roaming the cemetery), and these animals see your decorations as a treat and will eat them. The cemetery workers do not remove fresh flowers.
My decorations are missing, did the cemetery remove them?
If the decoration item you are referring to is listed as a prohibited item on our Prohibited Item list, then we will remove and store the item near our garage. The only other time the cemetery may remove items is when a grave is covered in decorations and weeds, which allows for mice and snakes to create habitats within the area.
Many times decorations go missing due to other visitors that enter the cemetery. Unfortunately, these people usually take decorations from one person's grave to decorate their own grave. We suggest writing your name on any decorations you put on the grave, and if you see your decorations on a nearby grave, remove them and place them back on your own grave.
Many times decorations go missing due to other visitors that enter the cemetery. Unfortunately, these people usually take decorations from one person's grave to decorate their own grave. We suggest writing your name on any decorations you put on the grave, and if you see your decorations on a nearby grave, remove them and place them back on your own grave.
My decorations are broken, I know it was the cemetery workers!
We can guarantee that our cemetery workers do not intentionally destroy decorations, monuments, or other items on our grounds. If any of our workers happen to accidentally damage something outside they must notify our office. Rarely has this ever happened.
Many times decorations are damaged due to other visitors, animals, the weather (we get high winds here), and general wear an tear due to the time frame these items have been on the grave.
Many times decorations are damaged due to other visitors, animals, the weather (we get high winds here), and general wear an tear due to the time frame these items have been on the grave.
Miscellaneous
My relatives owned graves in the cemetery. Are they now mine?
In order to establish ownership you must file an Affidavit of Heirship with our office to claim ownership via heirship.
I have the physical original deed to the grave site owned by someone other than myself. Is it now mine?
Holding a deed does not make a person a lot owner. Anyone can obtain a deed which is not theirs, b ut we choose to protect our lot owners. In order to establish ownership you must file an Affidavit of Heirship with our office to claim ownership via heirship.
I have graves I am not using, do you buy them back? Can I sell them?
The cemetery currently does not buy back grave sites. If you are the original lot owner you may try to find a buyer for the grave sites. Once you find a buyer you must contact our office to initiate a deed transfer. There will be fees and expenses involved, included a 15% sales fee from the State of NJ.
Do you ever remove the interred bodies, or is there is time frame after burial that you remove them?
Absolutely not. We do not remove interred bodies from a grave site unless a family schedules a disinterment with a funeral director to either move the interred individual to another grave site or to another cemetery.
We do not have time limits in our cemetery, so once an individual is interred they will remain there for eternity. We have people interred in our cemetery since it opened in 1883.
We do not have time limits in our cemetery, so once an individual is interred they will remain there for eternity. We have people interred in our cemetery since it opened in 1883.