Burial Lots and Cremation

Lots

No rights of burial in any lot in Wyoming Cemetery shall be sold to non-residents of the City of Melrose.

In the event the proprietor or legal representative or anyone listed on the Advance Authorization to Inter was a non-resident at the time of death, it is still permissible for such a person to be the first one interred in that lot or grave.

No more than one lot may be sold to any one person. For all lots sold, the first interment must be a Melrose resident. A second purchase is permissible to a Melrose resident if the first purchased lot is filled.

Residents purchasing new graves or lots must make said purchase in the Cemetery section open for sale at that time. As an example, if a purchase is for a two grave lot, said purchase must be made in the section and row being sold at that particular time (commonly referred to as a working section). NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. This ruling is in effect for all lots and graves sold in the Cemetery.

Lots are conveyed by special deed under the Seal of the City of Melrose. They are exempt from taxation, cannot be mortgaged nor seized for debt.

All lots are sold with Perpetual Care and shall be used for no other purpose than a place of burial for human remains.

It is the sole responsibility of the Cemetery staff to bury within it’s grounds. No private contractors may be hired to perform this task.

All interments or other work shall be under the personal charge of the Superintendent and/or his designee.

All graves will be paid in full within 30 days.

No burials and work will be allowed on any lot against which there is an outstanding account.

Suitable corner markers and number will define all lots by the department and it is unlawful for any person to remove or tamper with said markers.

No lot will be deeded to more than one owner nor may a lot be divided. No objection exists to an agreement between families as to the parts of lots to be used by each, but the department will not undertake to record or enforce such agreements.

In case of the death of a Proprietor, it shall be the duty of the heirs or devisees to file with the Cemetery legal proof of ownership. This is very important as the Cemetery cannot allow any work performed in or upon the lot until such time as there is a representative appointed by the heirs with the power of signing orders. (Chapter 114, Sec. 29, General Laws of Massachusetts.) The Law governing inheritance of lots will be found in the back of this booklet.

Upon the death of the representative the heirs should immediately appoint a successor.

No sale, transfer or assignment of any lot shall be valid without the approval of the Cemetery Committee.

The record of deeds kept in the Cemetery office is the only evidence of the title of the Proprietor which is recognized by the Cemetery; consequently when a person receives a lot by transfer from the Proprietor he/she should send said deed to the office for recording at once.

Proprietors may erect memorial structures on their lots subject to the regulations set forth under the title.

Cremations

Four cremations will be allowed to a single grave where the Right of Burial has never been used. Three cremations will be allowed to a single grave where a regular burial has taken place, as the Cemetery Committee feels that cremations do not disturb the remains of a person already interred. Two cremations will be allowed to a single double depth grave where two regular casket burials have taken place. In order to insure future access to remains in the event of a dis-interment request, all cremations shall be placed in permanent, sealed container.

A concrete cremation urn cannot be placed over an existing burial, nor can it be placed at the top (headstone) area of the grave. A maximum of 3 concrete urns will be allowed to a single grave where the Right of Burial has never been used.