Rules & Regulations

General Rules & Regulations

  1. Flower beds are allowed in back of an upright monument only. The flower bed is not to exceed the length of the monument base nor a width of twelve inches. Flowers placed on or near flat markers must be in proper containers above the ground which can be moved easily to facilitate mowing.
  2. Evergreen shrubs are allowed at the sides of an upright  Monument only. Care and trimming to proper size is the responsibility of the lot owner.
  3. Trees are not allowed in burial lots. Azaleas, Rose bushes or similar plants are not allowed.
  4. All Christmas decorations, including wreaths or other temporary arrangements and their containers should be Removed by April 15th. Summer plants should be removed by October 15th.
  5. The Cemetery Superintendent shall retain the authority to remove any and all plantings and material that do not conform with these rules and regulations.
  6. Cemetery visitors are prohibited from writing upon, defacing or injuring any memorial marker, headstone Urn or other structures within the cemetery grounds.
  7. Receptacles for waste materials are located at convenient places. Hence the discarding of rubbish on any part of the grounds is prohibited.
  8. All vehicles should drive in marked roads and lanes only. The use of a snowmobile or ATV is prohibited.

Dogs and Horses are not allowed on cemetery grounds.

These Rules and Regulations revised by the Westminster Cemetery Commission On July 1, 1999. Complete copies are available at the office. EFFECTIVE July 1, 1999

Additional Rules and Regulations

ISSUED DEC. 26 2003

INTERMENTS

The cost of interment includes opening of grave, use of lowering device and greens, restoration of sod, removal of flowers, and permanent recording of documents. A one piece concrete vault with a one piece domed concrete cover is required for all whole body interments. Urns or suitable containers shall be used for cremation interments.

SALE OF LOTS/PERPETUAL CARE

The purchase of a lot or any other interment space gives the purchaser the right of interment of human remains only and the right to provide an approved memorial. The ownership of the land remains with the Town of Westminster and all lots and graves are subject to Chapter 114 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Rules and Regulations of the Westminster Cemetery Department. Perpetual Care covers the maintenance of the surface of the lot and graves; this includes mowing the grass, seeding, loaming, and fertilizing where necessary. It does not include care of any kind of monuments, headstones, markers, or the likes or to bushes, shrubs, or plants unless covered by a separate contract.

FOUNDATIONS

All monuments shall have a proper concrete foundation installed by the Cemetery Department or with a design approved by the Cemetery Superintendent in writing.

MONUMENTS

All monuments should be in good taste adding to the beauty of the cemetery. Upright monuments should not exceed a width of 60% of the lot width, a height of 4 feet and a thickness of 16 inches. No monuments may be placed without notifying the Cemetery Department. The Westminster Cemetery Commission retains the authority to reject any plan or design for a monument which is deemed unsuitable due to size, design, material, etc. and shall have the right to enter upon any lot to remove any unsuitable monument, foundation, marker, fence, mound, curbstone, ornament, etc. Only one upright monument is allowed on a family lot, and it shall be centered. Only markers flush with the ground are allowed on single grave lot.

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

  • No dogs are allowed in the cemetery.
  • A lot proprietor may plant flowers in front of, and/or in back of an upright monument only. The flower bed shall not exceed the length of the monument base nor a width of twelve inches. Flowers placed on or near flat markers shall be in proper containers above the ground which can be moved easily to facilitate mowing.
  • Evergreen shrubs are allowed at the sides of an upright monument only.
  • Care and trimming to proper size is the responsibility of the lot owner.
  • Trees are not allowed in burial lots. Azaleas, rose bushes, or similar plants are not allowed.
  • All Christmas decorations, including wreaths or other temporary arrangements and their containers shall be removed by April 15.
  • Summer plants shall be removed by October 15. Any remaining after these dates may be disposed by the Cemetery Department.
  • The Cemetery Superintendent shall retain the authority to remove any and all plantings and material that do not conform with these Rules and Regulations.
  • Cemetery visitors are prohibited from writing upon, defacing, or injuring any memorial, marker, headstone, urn or other structures within the cemetery grounds.
  • Receptacles for waste materials are located at convenient places. Hence the discarding of rubbish in any part of the grounds is prohibited.
  • All vehicles shall be driven in marked roads and lanes only. The use of a snowmobile or ATV anywhere in a Westminster Cemetery is prohibited.
  • Special cases may arise in which the literal enforcement of a rule may impose unnecessary hardship. The Cemetery Commission therefore reserves the right to make exceptions, suspensions, or modifications of any of these Rules and Regulations, without notice, when they deem such action necessary; and such temporary exception, suspension, or modification shall in no way be construed as affecting the general application of such Rules and Regulations.