Bethlehem Cemetery Rules

1. ** Brown Township is not responsible for any damage or stolen items placed on graves.
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3. 1.  Only Township employees/ equipment may dig graves, unless by special Order of the Board of Trustees.  All graves shall be supervised/ assisted by the Sexton, or his agent.
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2. Concrete, fiberglass, or aluminum vaults must be used on all burials, except cremation.

3. There shall be no fencing and/or borders (plastic, stone, wooden, etc.) placed around the headstone/monument.

4. Grave markers will not be erected on lots, unless the lot is paid for and the deed is delivered.

5. All surplus dirt from graves, and all planting or decorations ruled to be objectionable by the Board of Trustees, shall be removed by the Sexton.  No shrubbery or rose bushes will be permitted. 

6. All monuments and markers must be placed to conform to an orderly and uniform system, with the Sexton’s approval.

7. The use of footstones must be approved by the Board of Trustees, and if used, to be sunk to a level of the surrounding lawn surface.

8. The planting of flowers is restricted to the area in front of the monuments (graveside) or markers and not to exceed more than 6” from the marker.  Flowers on the side and backside of the headstone are not permitted.

9. Potted plants will be permitted upon the lots and graves at Easter; Mother’s Day; Father’s Day; and Memorial Day only, for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.  Headstones and graves should face east starting at the center walk.  Year-round folding vases are permissible with the approval of the Board of Trustees. 

10. Winter decorations and blankets must be removed from graves before April 1, of each year.  All summer decorations must be removed by October 1, of each year.

11. If any decorations are a detriment to the maintenance or mowing, the Sexton has the authority to remove them.

12. Headstones shall be of granite, smooth or rock dressed on all sides.  The standard size is 12” x 24” with a ¾” bevel (allowance of up to 4” more for a longer name).  They shall be set 6” above grade with a stub of 4” and level on the bottom.  Double stones as stated above, the minimum and maximum length 48” to 60”.  Except sections “L” and “M”. 

13. Monuments permitted only on lots, where shown on map, must be of granite and the base of which shall be smooth or rock dressed on all sides, and level on all sides and bottom.

14. Only in designated rows of the cemetery are high markers permitted to be installed.  All other markers must be single slant bevel type markers.  No marker higher than 16” single slant will be permitted in the low marker rows.  Except in sections “L” and “M”.

15. For family lots of six (6) to twelve (12) graves, the markers are permitted to be 30” high in the center of the lots; or a maximum of one (1) marker per every two (2 lots.  Except in sections “L” and “M”.

16. Lots with three (3) to five (5) graves, the markers are permitted to be 16” high; maximum of one (1) marker per every two (2) lots.  Except in sections “L” and “M”.

17. Single lots, the marker is permitted to be 36” wide by 16” high.  Except in sections “L” and “M”.

18. Double lots, the marker is permitted to be 60” wide by 16” high.  Except in sections “L” and “M”.

19. Three (3) grave lots, the marker is permitted to be 72” wide by 16” high.  Except in sections “L” and “M”.

20. Foundations are to be installed by a Board approved provider; per the Board specifications, and the Sexton’s spotting and size approval, for which there is a fee of $50.00, for the Sexton’s time during weekdays between 8:00 am until 1:00 pm.  Any time after 1:00 pm, during the work week; on holidays and/or weekends, the Sexton’s fee will be $100.00.