RULES & REGULATIONS FOR BURIAL RIGHTS HOLDERS

In an on-going effort to improve maintenance and to ensure the quality and appearance of cemeteries throughout the Diocese of Portland, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland and its cemeteries have adopted these rules and regulations.  This flyer deals specifically with decorative and commemorative policies.  A full set of the rules and regulations of Holy Cross Cemetery is available for inspection at the Sacred Heart Church Rectory.

Holy Cross Cemetery will be closed after the first sustained snow or first sustained frost.  There is a walk in gate if anyone chooses to walk into the cemetery.  The cemetery will open in the Spring when the roads are drivable (around April 15^th, as conditions permit).

PLANTINGS:   will be allowed provided they meet the following guidelines

Ø       Plantings must be made in FRONT of the main above-ground monument only – not behind or to the sides -- and cannot exceed the length of the monument.

Ø       This stipulation may be waived if you own the lots both in front of and behind the monument.  Please ask.

Ø       Plantings may be up to 14 inches wide (out from the monument).

Ø       Plantings may not be made around any individual markers, flushed or raised.

Ø       Choose plantings that will tolerate being occasionally nicked or cut by maintenance crews mowing and/or trimming grass.

Ø       Hanging plants are strictly forbidden.  The crooks they hang on could easily put out the eye of a maintenance worker.  Any plant hangers on a lot may be removed without notice.

URNS, VASES, PLANTS and FLOWERS: approved urns, vases, baskets, boxes and potted plants must be placed as follows

Ø       One item on either end of the main above-ground monument is allowed (2 items total).  Items must have a sturdy base that allows for and tolerates weed trimming equipment.  Items with a pole or stake-type base are not allowed because the weed trimmers have a tendency to wrap around the pole and get caught.

Ø       If there is no main above-ground monument, one item may be placed where it would be so as to not obstruct mowing operations.

Ø       No artificial decorations are allowed.

VIGIL LIGHTS: 

The Diocesan guideline is to not permit vigil lights.  Vandals are drawn to them and broken lights are potentially hazardous to cemetery workers and visitors alike. 

OTHER  ORNAMENTS:

Stones (crushed, bleached or other), bricks, shells, fences, lawn ornaments, glass containers or ornaments, tin cans, and shepherd’s crooks are not compatible with safe weed trimming operations and are all strictly prohibited.  The management reserves the right to remove, without notice, any planting or object which is in violation of these regulations or which, in the opinion of the management, is a hazard to its employees or contractors, or may be injurious to the general appearance of the cemetery.

FLAGS: 

Flags may be placed on lots beginning one week before Memorial Day through Flag Day (June 14).  All flags must be placed next to the main above-ground monument only.  No flags may be placed next to any individual marker, flush or raised, because it makes it impossible to mow the grass.  Exceptions may be made for sections or graves with no monument privileges.