San Miguel & Missions

Cemetery Guidelines

† We offer our services, support, and resources to families in their time of need.

† We believe in and are committed to the teachings of the Catholic Church with regard to the deceased and the sacredness of the cemeteries in which their bodies rest.

† We acknowledge that the Catholic Cemetery in the rich tradition of our faith is a sacred place and the resting place for those who have died.

† As Cremations become more common place, there has been an occasional wish to postpone the committal of the cremains. The Rite of Committal must conclude the Funeral Liturgy. If there is to be no committal until a later date, then a Funeral Liturgy will be postponed until that time.

Introduction

Introduction / Rules

Cemetery Fees

Burial Sites / Plots

Grave Markers / Head Stones

Removal of Decorations

Landscaping

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Introduction

The Catholic Church supplies cemeteries to help people face the reality of death in the context of the Promise of Eternal Life.

We encourage frequent visitation and prayer for the dead. By encouraging visits of family and friends of the deceased, we strive to foster an environment in which love is remembered, hope is rekindled, and faith is awakened and strengthened.

In this document we will provide a number of guidelines that the San Miguel Parish Cemetery Committee recommended and that the Parish Pastoral Council Committee has adopted to

(1) ensure that the cemeteries are religious in character, well maintained, healing and inviting to bereaved families and friends;
(2) Protect the rights and privileges of all Registered Parish Family Members, as well as those of other community members; (3) strive to provide an environment that is safe and secure for those who visit the cemeteries, and also for those who work in the cemeteries.

Introducton / Rules

† Registered Members must be registered and active in the Parish for a minimum of three (3) years.

† San Miguel Parish reserves the right to designate plots.

† Internment shall be permitted only when the grave space fees are fully paid.

† Currently, no plots may be purchased in advance of a death until a cemetery is plotted. Once the cemetery is plotted, only 2 plots may be purchased at one time; this is intended for a couple, regardless of marital status.

† The individual names of the "couple" will be identified and recorded by Parish Staff. This identification can be changed at any time by the purchaser of the "couple" plot.

† All graves must be dug under approval and supervision of the San Miguel Cemetery Committee and Parish Pastoral Council Designee.

† All markers and head stones must be installed under approval and supervision of the San Miguel Cemetery Committee and Parish Pastoral Council Designee.

† San Miguel Church and Missions will not be held responsible for the loss or destruction of grave markers.

Cemetery Fees

Internment shall be permitted only when the grave space fees are fully paid.

• Registered Members of San Miguel Parish: $250 Full Body or $125 Cremation.

• NON- Registered Members of San Miguel Parish: $1000.00 regardless if Full Body or Cremation.

• Double Depth Internment: burial of two individuals in the same plot but the first is buried at a depth of 10 feet and the second above. Fees would remain the same to Registered Members. Unregistered Members $1500 for both.

Burial Sites / Plots

San Miguel Parish reserves the right to designate plots.

All graves must be dug under approval and supervision of the San Miguel Cemetery Committee and Parish Pastoral Council Designee.

• When a death occurs and no pre-purchase was made in advance, the next available plot in the current section of the cemetery being utilized, will be assigned.

• When a death occurs and one pre-purchased plot was made in advance, the next available plot in the current section of the cemetery being utilized, will be assigned.

• When a death occurs and two plots had been purchased in advance, the next available plot in the current section of the cemetery will be utilized. Additionally, the plot immediately next to and adjacent to the buried first member of the couple will be reserved for the second member of the couple.

• Records will be kept by the Parish Office to track the plots and determine when and where the plots are available.

• Full Body Grave: Plot size five 5 by 8 feet (5'X8') & the Grave size is three 3 feet by 6 feet (3'X6'). Any cement or solid covering over the grave site will comply with 3'X6' whether a casket liner is utilized or not. A casket liner may make the Grave size larger, but any covering over the grave will comply with the 3'X6' measurement.

• Cremains Grave: will be two 2 by 2 feet (2'X2').

• No more than 2 caskets or urns may be placed in one grave site.

Grave Markers/Head Stones

All markers & grave stones must be installed under approval and supervision of the San Miguel Cemetery Committee and Parish Pastoral Council Designee.

Markers are those grave markers that are flush with the grade of the land

One Head Stone per Grave Site

Single Head Stone not to exceed 24" wide by 30" high installed

Double Size Head Stone intended for two graves will not exceed 36" wide by 30" high

If a base for the Head Stone is to be used, it can be no more than 6" high. (total base and Head Stone is 36") A marker may be added to a single grave – usually for Veterans Marker.

Removal of Decorations

It is recommended and appreciated that all decorations be removed once they become unsightly.

There are four ways that decorations will be removed for you.

(1) during general clean-up held at the discretion of the Parish Pastoral Council,
(2) Seasonal clean-up after major holidays – holiday decorations will stay at a gravesite for one week,
(3) when a violation of the Cemetery Guidelines is observed or when items become unsightly or hazardous,
(4) by inclement weather or theft.

Landscaping

The overall appearance and safety of the cemeteries is of most importance.

All work regarding landscape development is approved solely by the San Miguel Cemetery Committee and Parish Pastoral Council Designee.

Hazardous items: wire, rocks, bricks, glass or other items that may cause harm to people or equipment are NOT allowed and will be removed as soon as they are discovered by the San Miguel Cemetery Committee and Parish Pastoral Council Designee.

• No Fencing, Hedges, Trenches, Borders or Enclosures of any kind. Fencing and Enclosures currently in place will be grandfathered in.

• No Head Stone or memorials that do not comply with the definitions provided previously.

• No Vases, Benches, Statuaries, or Memorial Covers.

• No Trees, Shrubs, Bushes, or other Plants.

• Digging of holes in the cemetery for any purpose is strictly prohibited.