Bylaws Template for Natural Burial Sections of Hybrid Cemeteries

​Rules & Regulations Natural Burial Section
1.  All lots sold are subject to the rules and regulations now in force or which the Cemetery Trustees may hereafter adopt. They shall be used for no other purpose than the burial of the human dead. All lots must be paid for in full before a deed is issued. Interment right holders wishing to transfer to the Natural Burial area shall be given a credit of the full purchase price of the traditional interment space.

2. No transfer of ownership or interest in any lot shall become valid until recorded with the Select Board's Office and such transfer or assignment is endorsed by the Cemetery Trustees. All lots must be sold back to the Town and the Town will sell to the new owner.

3. General Maintenance shall include: [This language may be changed to reflect the nature of the maintenance work you plan to provide in this section. It may or may not include grass cutting, filling depressions, reseeding, removal of fallen debris, annual brush hogging, or other services that are appropriate if you are not mowing.]

4. The General Maintenance fee will be turned over to the Trustees of Trust Funds and any interest earned thereon will be used for general cemetery maintenance. Any excess will accumulate for such time, as the said Cemetery Trustees may deem expedient, or in their discretion to apply the same surplus, or any part thereof, from time to time, to ornamenting and preserving the grounds of the said cemetery.

5. Deceased persons shall not be embalmed or topically treated with sprays or compounds, unless with non-toxic products. Bodies accepted for burial shall be wrapped in a shroud, quilt or blanket, and/or placed in a burial container that includes a board, integrated or separate, for stability. Clothing is optional.

6. All materials used in the manufacturing or constructions of caskets, burial containers, shrouds, quilts, blankets, clothing, and urns shall be 100% biodegradable and non-toxic. Materials used must be plant derived, natural, animal, or biodegradable material, including the shell, liner, handles, fasteners, and adornments of any burial container, shroud, quilt, blanket, clothing or urn. Materials used in the manufacturing, construction, and finishing of products used for burial shall not contain plastics, acrylics, or similar synthetic polymeric materials. Shrouds, quilts, and blankets used for burial without a casket shall have a natural wood backer (plywood and OSB are not acceptable) no less than 1/2″ thick and the length of the body, to stabilize the decent during the burial process.

7. Vaults and liners (partial, inverted, or otherwise) are prohibited.

8. No enclosure of any nature, such as fences, copings, hedges or ditches, shall be allowed around any lots. Planting of trees and shrubs shall be prohibited. No inscriptions, statues, embellishments, effigies, artifacts, lights, wildlife feeders, wind chimes, flags, or artificial decorations of any kind will be permitted. Cut flower funeral tributes that have been removed from their containers may be buried with the deceased. All other funeral floral tributes may be taken home or they will be disposed of or recycled. Fresh cut flower remembrance tributes may be placed on the grave at any time, and will be removed by Cemetery personnel upon becoming unsightly. The cemetery reserves the right to determine whether live plantings may be accepted.

9. Grave markers are permitted but not required. Stones may not exceed 216 square inches (approximately 12 x 18 inches) in size and must lay flat. No foundations will be permitted. The marker must be constructed of a natural material. Only one memorial stone is permitted for each burial site. Stones may be engraved, but must remain simple in appearance. Photographs, electronics, sound, etc., is not permitted. The Cemetery may reject/remove, without notice, any memorials that do not meet the specifications.

10. Vehicles other than light machinery used to dig the graves are not permitted. Limited use of electric golf carts or similar light transport and people or animal drawn carts is permissible.

11. Disinterments are considered irretrievable. Next-of-kin must sign a waiver attesting to their understanding that the body will not be moved unless ordered by the State.
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12. In order to protect and maintain the integrity and intent of the Natural Burial area, the Board of Trustees reserves the right to refuse the burial of any decedent for non-compliance of the Rules and Regulations as required in this section.

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