Pine Grove Cemetery makes every effort to enforce rules and regulations uniformly and with compassion.
These rules have been formulated to keep the cemetery grounds neat & clean with an atmosphere of simplicity, dignity and elegance that all of our loved ones deserve. We also need to be mindful that the cemetery grounds are to be kept safe for visitors as well as volunteers.
Please read the Pine Grove Cemetery Rules and Regulations in its entirety, very carefully. All rules are to be followed unless there is written permission by the Pine Grove Cemetery Board of Directors.
Please share these rules and regulations with your family and friends who may be visiting the cemetery. Often, family members and other interested parties who are not directly involved in making final arrangements are not aware of policies regarding gravesite maintenance.
All of the following Rules and Regulations apply to everyone who enters Pine Grove Cemetery:
- Grave Marker Installation & Care
- Procurement and installation of headstones and grave markers are the responsibility of the lot or gravesite owner(s). Gravestones and markers must be professionally installed by a qualified contractor or vender. They must be installed with the proper foundation according to industry standards. This includes installation of an appropriate concrete foundation large enough to support the gravestone or marker.
- Lot and gravesite owners are required to contact the Cemetery PRIOR to placement of a headstone or marker, so the proper location may be verified and marked before installation of the foundation. If a gravestone/marker is installed in the wrong location, and the Cemetery was not given the opportunity to verify and mark the location, the owner(s) will be held responsible for the removal and reinstallation of the gravestone/marker.
- Lot and gravesite owners are responsible for the maintenance and care of headstones and markers in perpetuity. Owners are expected to maintain headstones and markers in good, stable and clean condition, and to initiate repairs or replacements should it become necessary through proper venders.
- The ONLY PERMANENT decoration permitted on grave sites is the headstone/marker. Other items intended for permanent display are prohibited.
- PLACEMENT: TEMPORARY decorations are permitted on grave sites only, and may not extend onto or over adjacent sites. Decorations may not exceed 4-feet in height. No objects may be attached to cemetery structures, trees, etc.
- LIVE CUT FLOWERS: May be placed on graves year-round.
- ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS: Are acceptable year-round, but are not permitted as permanent displays.
- FUNERAL FLOWERS: All Funeral Flowers that are brought to Pine Grove Cemetery for a Funeral Service are tastefully arranged over the grave site after the burial and remain there until the flowers are no longer fresh and will subsequently be removed.
- LIVE POTTED PLANTS: May be placed on graves, but NOT planted below ground level.
- CONTAINERS: GLASS AND CERAMIC CONTAINERS ARE PROHIBITED FOR SAFETY REASONS.
- ARTIFICAL OR LIVE TRIBUTES: Adornments are permitted year-round. We permit THREE (3) ITEMS ONLY on each grave, near the headstone. Please coordinate with family members to see that this rule is followed, and items are rotated if need be.
- SHEPHERS HOOKS: A shepherd’s hooks CAN be placed against a headstone on a grave to hold a hanging basket. A single hook and all decorations on it count as one (1) of the three (3) allowed items.
All Shepherd hooks MUST be decorated, or they will be removed from the grave site.
TWO (2) perpetual illumination devices, solar powered lights, or candles may be placed close to the headstone on the grave as long as they are placed close to the stone. This will allow for the mowers to cut in a straight row. Two (2) illumination devices count as two (2) of the three (3) allowed items per grave.
- HOLIDAY DECORATIONS:
WINTER HOLIDAY Wreaths and themed decorations are permitted on graves from Thanksgiving Day through the holiday season and must be removed before March 1st.
FOR ALL OTHER HOLIDAYS: Themed decorations are permitted 14 days prior through 14 days following each holiday.
- PROHIBITED ITEMS: Any item or substance determined to be hazardous to humans, wildlife, cemetery grounds and/or the chapel. Any items considered to be offensive, profane, and/or in violation of local laws, is strictly PROHIBITED.
Prohibited items on cemetery grounds include, but are not limited to, the following:
o Glass, ceramic, wire or other otherwise easily-breakable, potentially hazardous containers/objects.
o Hazardous or unlawful items, including weapons or ammunition, matches/lighters, alcoholic beverages and their containers.
o Landscaping accessories, including paving & border stones, ceramic/stone/other figurines, benches, stone chips, shells, etc.
o Toys, decorative/symbolic stones, or other loose objects on turf areas, are potentially hazardous to lawn equipment.
o Planting of seeds, bulbs, plants, unauthorized treatment of turf areas, or application of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, etc.
o Any item or device designed or intended to create or emit audible sound, including wind chimes, rattles, etc.
- DISCLAIMERS:
Pine Grove Cemetery assumes no responsibility for items left at grave sites. Due to the open nature of the grounds, we cannot guarantee against damages, theft, vandalism, environmental effects, or impacts by wildlife. - Removal Policy: Pine Grove Cemetery has the responsibility to maintain the cemetery for the benefit of everyone. If you choose to leave a decoration that is not permitted, deemed inappropriate or has deteriorated, it may be removed and discarded without notice.
- CONTACT: Pine Grove Cemetery of Carroll County if you have questions or comments regarding the Rules and Regulations.
Pine Grove Cemetery is committed to preserving the beauty and integrity of our grounds in perpetuity. We work with a seasoned team of groundskeepers and caretakers for which these policies are designed to help them maintain Pine Grove’s aesthetic appeal.
