COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS

Saint Joseph Abbey Cemetery (hereinafter “Cemetery”), a private corporation, is open to the public from sunrise to sunset daily. All grave owners and visitors to the Cemetery are subject to the following Covenants and Restrictions:

Flowers: Fresh cut flowers only are permitted in the Cemetery. Flowers will be discarded when they wither, and unauthorized containers will be removed. NO ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, GREENERY, OR BREAKABLE CONTAINERS ARE ALLOWED. No permanent plantings are permitted.

• Christmas, Easter, Mother’s/Father’s Day, and All Saints Day: Potted plants in bloom, in unbreakable containers, will be permitted 1 week before through 1 week after the holiday date.

• Burials: Funeral sprays, wreaths, or flower arrangements on stands are permitted at the time of burial.

• Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Flag Day, and Veterans Day: Small American/Military flags will be permitted on graves. Flags will be removed by the Cemetery ten days after the holiday.

Unauthorized Decorations: The Cemetery reserves the right to remove items considered inconsistent with the dignity of the cemetery. Unauthorized items include toys, pinwheels, stones, chimes, solar or other lighting, planters, metal designs, flags (other than the American Flag), flag stands, signs of any kind, blankets, notes, and ornaments. These items interfere with the maintenance of the cemetery and may pose a hazard, and we do not want to be put in a position of removing items with sentimental meaning.

Seating: No benches or chairs other than those provided by the Cemetery are permitted. You are welcome to bring temporary seating for your visit. To sponsor a memorial bench, in an area designated by the Cemetery, contact the Administrative Offices.

Prohibited Activities: No parking on the grass; alcohol; consumption of food or beverages; picnicking; smoking; loitering; soliciting; littering; cutting of trees, shrubs, grass; walking of pets, with the exception of service dogs; hunting; skating; skateboarding; or political activities.

Weapons Policy: The Cemetery prohibits the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives, or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on Cemetery property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.

Theft or Damage: The Cemetery distinctly disclaims all responsibility for loss or damage from causes beyond its reasonable control.

Interment: Grave space is intended for the interment of human remains only. At least 24 hours notice is required before any interment. Grave liners or vaults are not required but are permitted.

The Cemetery reserves the right to refuse to permit the internment of anyone who was not at the time of death the owner of a grave or a relative of the owner by blood or marriage.

No interment shall be permitted or memorial placed in or on any property not fully paid.

The Cemetery shall exercise due care in making an interment, disinterment, and removal, but shall assume no liability for damage to any casket or burial case incurred in making the disinterment and removal.

Transfer of Ownership: Transfer or sale of ownership in Cemetery property may only be made from the owner to the Cemetery upon payment of applicable fees. Transfer or sale of Cemetery property to a third party is prohibited.

Correction of Errors: The Cemetery shall have the right to correct any errors that may be made by it either in making interments, disinterments, or removals or in the description, transfer, or conveyance of any interment property. The Cemetery shall not be responsible for any order given verbally, or for any mistake occurring from the want of precise and proper instructions as to the particular space, size, and location in a plot where interment is desired.

Exceptions: Special cases may arise in which the liberal enforcement of a rule may impose unnecessary hardship. The Cemetery, therefore, reserves the right, without notice, to make exceptions, suspensions, or modifications in any of these covenants and restrictions when, in its judgment, the same appear advisable, without affecting the general application of such rule.

Amendments: The Cemetery may, at any time or times, without notice, adopt new covenants and restrictions, or amend, alter or repeal any part of these covenants and restrictions.