Planting, Structures and Care

Planting of Trees and Shrubs

No shrubs and trees are to be planted in the Wyoming Cemetery except by the Cemetery Staff under the supervision of the Cemetery Committee and Cemetery Superintendent. Non-woody plants such as perennials, bulbs, summer flowers, or mums may be planted provided that such planting conforms to the following requirements:

Floral, Memorialization, and Flag Policies

Wyoming Cemetery maintains formal policies regarding floral decorations to protect and preserve the dignity of our cemetery. This policy is intended to provide guidelines for grave and lot owners for the appropriate memorialization of their loved ones. This policy is intended to ensure a harmonious blend of memorialization with the natural beauty of the Wyoming Cemetery grounds.

  • Annual or perennial plants may not extend beyond 18 inches of the front of monument.
  • Planting is not allowed in the back or sides of monuments.
  • Plants may attain a height that is less than half (1/2) the height of the headstone.
  • The cemetery is not responsible for loss of plants or replacement costs for plants that are damaged while staff performs maintenance operations for the cemetery.
  • The cemetery reserves the right to remove plants or plantings that it deems to be disruptive to the normal operation of the cemetery.
  • Non floral, standalone decorations are not permitted (i.e., balloons, pinwheels, shepherds hooks, Christmas trees over 18 inches tall, holiday or seasonal placards.) All items not in compliance with this policy will be removed and disposed of immediately.
  • No planting of any type of trees, shrubs or flowering bushes are permitted.
  • Flags and banners are not permitted to exceed the height of the monument.
  • All flags placed at grave or lot prior to Memorial Day will be removed immediately after Veterans Day. Any flag removed will be appropriately retired.
  • Artificial decorations of any type are prohibited from April 1st through November 30th.

The following items are prohibited at graves and lots:

  • Fencing, curbing, enclosures, edging, iron or wire works and vigil lights
  • Planting boxes, shells, toys, metal design ornamental decorations
  • Glass floral containers

During the Spring and Fall clean-up periods Wyoming Cemetery will provide notification of the removal of artificial decorations and flags. Said notification will be posted at the cemetery entrances and exits a minimum of two weeks prior to the removal by cemetery staff.

During normal trimming and mowing operations, damage may occur to plantings. Although all efforts will be made by the staff to use care when working around the plantings, the Cemetery is not responsible for any damage from our operations.

Memorial Structures

Proprietors may cultivate plants on their lots subject to the approval of the Department, but if such planting becomes neglected or is deemed objectionable or detrimental, the Cemetery Committee reserves the right to remove such planting. If done on lots under Perpetual Care, the owner must bear the expense of putting the ground in proper condition again.

On lots or graves where no monument has been erected, the sod under no condition shall be allowed to be broken.

Lot enclosures of any kind are not permitted.

The Superintendent shall remove from lots and graves flowers or emblems whenever in his opinion, the same have become so withered or decayed as to render their removal desirable. Floral emblems so removed will be put in the common dump and employees shall refuse to attempt to find them after having been so disposed.

The Cemetery Committee reserves the right to alter the plots of walks, avenues and unsold areas.

Potted plants, baskets and flowers unless maintained and flourishing will be removed from 5 to 10 days after placement, or as soon as the Cemetery Committee deems it necessary.

Votive lights or candles of any kind (lit our unlit) are not allowed on any lot or grave(s) in the Cemetery.

The responsibility for ordering monuments lies with the proprietor. The Wyoming Cemetery will not recommend any memorial company.

Mausoleum or Tombs

Purchase will be made in advance for specific parcels of land that allow for family mausoleums or tombs. Purchase of said land will be for Melrose residents only. Design control and location of tombs remains with the Cemetery Committee. Inquire at the Cemetery Office for more information regarding mausoleums or tombs.

Memorial Structures

If any monument or effigy, or any structure whatever or inscription to be placed in or upon any lot or single grave which shall be determined by the Cemetery Committee to be improper or offensive, the Committee shall have the right and it shall be their duty to remove such improper or offensive objects.

Overall dimensional size of memorial structures is controlled within the Cemetery depending on the type of grave and its location. Listed below are memorial structure size requirements.

4 GRAVE LOT
Maximum dimensions for the die 44″ long x 8″ wide x 32″ high
Maximum dimensions for the base 48″ long x 12″ wide x 10″ high
Note : only 1 monument per 4 lot grave is allowed

3 GRAVE LOT
Maximum dimensions for the die 36 ” long x 8″ wide x 28″ high
Maximum dimensions for the base 42″ long x 12″ wide x 10″ high
Note : only 1 monument per 3 lot grave is allowed

2 GRAVE LOT
Maximum dimensions for the die 30 ” long x 8″ wide x 24″ high
Maximum dimensions for the base 36″ long x 12″ wide x 8″ high
Note : only 1 monument per 2 lot grave is allowed

1 GRAVE
Maximum dimensions for the die 20 ” long x 8″ wide x 24″ high
Maximum dimensions for the base 24″ long x 12″ wide x 8″ high

INFANT SECTION
Maximum dimensions for the die 20″ long x 8″ wide x 18″ high
Maximum dimensions for the base 24″ long x 12″ wide x 4″ high

DOUBLE DEEP – SECTION T-1
Maximum dimensions for the die 20 ” long x 8″ wide x 24″ high
Maximum dimensions for the base 24″ long x 12″ wide x 8″ high
Note : only 1 monument per double deep grave is allowed

SLANT MARKERS
All slant face markers shall be mounted on a base. Specifications are a follows: single grave – 2′ x 2′ at the base and 2′-4′ in height. Double markers shall not exceed 3′ x 1′ at the base and 2′-4′ in height; bases shall not be higher than 8′.

  • A tomb or mausoleums defined as a structure containing one or more crypts for the entombing of bodies.
  • A monument is defined as any memorial structure other than a Tomb, Mausoleum, Headstone or Grave marker. A Headstone is defined as a stone to mark the location of a particular grave and shall be erected at the head of the grave.
  • A Grave Marker is defined as a one-piece stone or bronze marker that indicates the location of a particular grave. It is usually placed at the foot of a grave.
  • Proprietors should consult with the Superintendent before placing orders for stonework due to the fact that there are size limitations in every section of the Cemetery.
  • Designs, specifications and location of all structures must be submitted to the Superintendent for approval before a foundation is built.
  • All stonework must rest on a foundation of cement masonry that will be built by the department. In no case will a foundation be built either in whole or in part over the remains of a previous interment.
  • Application for this work must be filed on a standard form furnished by the department and shall give full particulars including location, size, specifications and a sketch and must be signed by both the owner and contractor.
  • Foundations will be furnished smooth and level, approximately 2 inches below the sod level. Bases of all stonework must be cut square of the bottom and shall be set in a full cement bed.
  • Foundations for grave markers will be finished 6 inches below the sod level. Grave markers on single graves shall not exceed 2’x 1′ x 6′; on two grave lots or larger, grave markers shall not be larger than 2’6″ x 1’x 6′. Stones must be cut square at the bottom and will be set by the department.
  • No raised letters will be allowed on flush markers.
  • Specifications are obtainable at the Cemetery office for monuments to be used on lots consisting of more than two graves.
  • Memorial structures that are to be installed in the infants’ sections shall not be larger than 15″ x 10″ x 24″ in height. Grave markers shall not exceed 15″ x 10″ x 6″.
  • No foundation will be constructed and no stonework will be set between November 15th and April 1st, or when the ground is not in the proper condition for such work.
  • Orders for foundations for monuments or markers for Memorial Day will not be accepted after May 15th and no orders for any foundations will be accepted after November 10th.
  • Dealer’s cards or advertisements shall not be cut or otherwise marked on any memorial structure.
  • No person shall deliver any material within the Cemetery except under the direction of the Superintendent or his assistants and every such person shall report at the office for an erection permit before entering. No work shall be done in the Cemetery without a permit from the Cemetery Office.
  • Stonework brought to the Cemetery for installation must conform to the specifications on the approved order or an installation permit will be refused and the material shall not be taken inside the grounds.
  • All work must be done during the working hours of the Cemetery and no material for the building or installation of structures will be received on Saturday, Sunday, Holiday or the day preceding a holiday or after four o’clock in the afternoon and no stonework will be allowed set during these periods.
  • Permits will be issued on order from Proprietors and will be good on day of issue only. They must be returned to the office on the completion of the work.
  • Contractors and others doing work within the grounds will be held responsible for all persons under their control. The Cemetery Committee may, for good cause refuse to issue further permits to any person who at the time has violated any rule or regulation, or who has performed unsatisfactory work within the grounds.
  • No raised letters or designs will be allowed on the base on any stonework where it can be damaged by grass cutting machinery.
  • No Tomb or Mausoleum shall be erected on any lot without the approval of the Cemetery Committee.
  • No more than one headstone will be allowed on any one grave or any one lot.
  • No Memorial Structure will be allowed set on any lot until said lot is completely paid for.

Graves

  • No right of burial in single graves in Wyoming Cemetery shall be sold to non-residents of the City of Melrose.
  • No right of burial in single graves in Wyoming Cemetery shall be sold to residents for the interment of non-residents of the City of Melrose.
  • Not more than two single graves shall be sold to any one person.
  • All single graves are sold with Perpetual Care; they shall be used for no other purpose than a place of burial for human remains.
  • The Cemetery Department will sell one single grave to the estate of a Melrose resident who has made no previous purchase of land.
  • Receipts are issued for single graves and said graves are not transferable.
  • Purchasers of single graves are cautioned to preserve the grave receipt as this is the only means they have of proving their rights to such graves.
  • Persons wishing to have any work done on a single grave must present the receipt.
  • Whenever a single grave shall become vacant by the removal of the body therefrom, the land shall revert to the department, but in case the owner thereof becomes the purchaser of a lot in Wyoming Cemetery, the original price paid for the grave will be refunded.
  • All fees must be paid in advance of work or purchase.
  • Headstones or markers will be allowed on single graves subject to the regulations as set forth under Memorial Structures.
  • The grass will be maintained level and no planting of shrubs will be allowed (see planting of trees and shrubs). Any damage done to grass must be repaired at the expense of the owner.
  • No article other than a memorial stone, floral offering or flag will be allowed on the single graves. Only one flag holder or organization emblem will be allowed to each lot or single grave. The flag holder or organization emblem will be designated by the family of the deceased and notification of said decision shall be given to the Superintendent of the Cemetery. It shall be at the discretion of the Superintendent as to the placement of the emblem or flag holder. If bouquet holders are used they must be approved by the department and set in the ground flush, otherwise they may become broken by grass cutting machinery or lost.