Memorial Rules and Regulations Of The Catholic Cemetery

The Catholic Cemetery Association of Fort Wayne, Inc. d/b/a Catholic Cemetery Association, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "the Association), as part of the ministry of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (hereinafter referred to as "the Diocese"), having the right to protect the integrity of the Catholic Cemetery and the sacredness of its grounds, as well as the obligation to care for these grounds and those buried, entombed, or inurned therein, to promote order and safety, to reduce the burden of maintenance, to keep the Catholic Cemetery beautiful, and for the mutual protection and benefit of the Lot Holders, hereby adopts the following "Memorial Rules and Regulations of the Catholic Cemetery."

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR ALL SECTIONS OF THE CEMETERY

A Memorial is defined as a Monument, Marker, or Private or Personal Mausoleum.

A Monument is defined as a structure of two pieces, a base and a die, other than a marker and a private or personal mausoleum.

A Marker is defined as a structure of one piece with no separate base and with one or more names on it to identify the person(s) buried in the grave(s) in the front or back of it.

A Private or Personal Mausoleum is defined as a granite structure that sits above ground and completely encloses the casket(s) or cremains urn(s) contained within it.

No memorial will be permitted on a lot until all arrears (e.g., cost of lot, internment charges, foundation charges, endowments, and the like) are paid in full.

All memorials shall be made ONLY of first-grade genuine granite amenable to the climate of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and suitable for memorial purposes. No other material or composition will be permitted. Any memorial not specifically permitted is not allowed. No images or similar drawing(s) may be placed or engraved on a memorial unless it is of the person memorialized, that person's spouse or child/children, saint(s), or an appropriate inanimate object(s). No copyrighted or trademarked material/objects may be used unless the permission of the copyright or trademark holder(s) accompanies the Application.

A Veteran's marker is limited to flat granite only. Veteran's markers are the property of the United States Government and, if not used to identify the grave of that veteran, must be destroyed by the Association. Veteran's markers are allowed in all sections of the Catholic Cemetery except where markers are not allowed or monuments are required. All veteran's markers will be flushed with the ground.

Holes drilled in granite for vases are not permitted as this weakens the granite. No vases/urns may be installed or placed on the granite.

No bronze attachments to or inserts in the granite are allowed unless it is of a religious nature and approved by the Superintendent.

No memorial already in place in the Catholic Cemetery may be modified in any manner whatsoever, except for final date(s), without the written approval of both the Memorial Owner and the Lot Holder of the lot upon which the memorial is situated.

A memorial can only identify and be placed on the grave of the person buried in the grave or who will be buried in such grave. If a person is deceased, said person must be buried in the grave on which the memorial is placed unless said deceased person was lost in a military action or the body or cremated human remains were not recoverable or identifiable. Only one memorial or identification may identify a grave space and only one memorial or identification may commemorate a name except in those special memorial areas established by the Catholic Cemetery. All memorials must be placed on the memorial row of the lot.

Temporary funeral director markers are allowed but only temporarily and may be removed and discarded, all without notice, at the discretion of the Catholic Cemetery. They can only be made of durable metal and no other materials.

Only a single marker (subject to single marker restrictions) is allowed on a single width grave even though there may be a double-depth burial therein or two (2) burials of cremated human remains inurned therein. In such areas and Section H (Block I), only the largest single size marker is allowed for identifying more than one burial in what is commonly a single grave space.

Double markers shall be of one piece construction. Double markers are permitted only when the two or more graves they identify are side-by-side.

All flush (grass level) markers must have a sawed bottom and sides and the top edge must be 1/4 inch pencil round or blunted for the protection of the marker from damage. All flush (grass level) markers must be of a uniform thickness of at least 4 inches and will be placed on compacted #11 limestone mixed with concrete powder or similar composition and then set flush with the ground. No raised lettering or protruding pictures/picture frames are permitted on flush (grass level) markers. Pictures are not recommended for flush (grass level) markers and the Catholic Cemetery assumes no liability whatsoever if put on a memorial. All markers, except flush (grass level) markers and military markers, must have rock pitch sides.

All monuments, two-piece slants, and private or personal mausoleums must be properly caulked wherever two pieces of granite come together. However, except for private or personal mausoleums, they may not be caulked to the foundation.

No die shall have a minimum thickness of less than 6 inches with the base being proportional in size with the die. Bases of all monuments must be a minimum height of six (6) inches and be rock pitched on the sides due to possible damage by mowers or other equipment. A one or two inch polished margin is permitted around the top edge of the base with the balance rock pitched. All regular inscriptions must be engraved on the die only but additional inscriptions may be engraved on the top of the base only.

This cemetery will not be responsible for grave space(s) lost due to the erection or installation of a memorial. All memorials shall be located on the memorial row of the lot. Otherwise, the location of a memorial on a lot can only be approved by the Superintendent and that decision will be final.

All memorial work or the placement of any memorial shall only be on the written request of the Lot Holder(s), heir(s), surviving spouse of either, or both spouses, except for any removal by the Catholic Cemetery. Detailed plans and designs with specifications for all memorials and foundations/settings shall be applied for on the current Memorial Application and Agreement form (supplied by the Catholic Cemetery) and such form must be submitted to and received by the Superintendent in writing for approval, accompanied by payment in full for the foundation and its endowment care, before the memorial is ordered or placed. If such memorial does not conform to the approved plan and design or it contains any defects, no setting will be allowed and it will be the sole responsibility of the Memorial Dealer to correct any errors or deficiencies in workmanship and materials. No memorial shall contain a symbol, design, or marking contrary or offensive to the Catholic Church or the Roman Catholic Faith nor shall it contain or have attached to it any logo, symbol, or advertising of the manufacturer or memorial dealer. However, Roman Catholic symbols, designs, or carvings are encouraged. All memorials shall comply with the Memorial Dealer Agreement contained within the Memorial Application and Agreement.

No memorial may be placed at a grave site unless and until the above has been completed, the foundation has been poured, and the Superintendent or his agent is present. A violation of this Rule will cause the Association to remove the memorial until proper arrangements have been made and the Memorial Dealer will be assessed a $150.00 fee for this removal. The Memorial Dealer will not be allowed to have any of its memorials placed in the Catholic Cemetery until this, or any other, assessment has been paid in full.

All foundations shall be installed only by Catholic Cemetery personnel under the supervision of the Superintendent. In order to facilitate maintenance, the Association has the exclusive right to move/relocate a foundation and the memorial which sits on it without notice of any kind and without any liability whatsoever on the part of the Association. Once a memorial is set, it may not be removed except by Catholic Cemetery personnel or upon proper application to the Superintendent by the memorial owner.

Except in Sections F, H (Block I), and J, all vases/urns must be a concrete No. 1 Cemetery Urn on a concrete pad. All such urns with concrete pad must be placed on the ground at either or both ends of the memorial. In Sections F, H (Block I), and J, all vases must be invertible-style in-ground metal vases. No vases/urns or decorations of any kind whatsoever are allowed in Section N. No vases/urns may be placed on or attached to the memorial.

Non-Cemetery employees, in setting and erecting memorials, or in bringing in materials in regard to such work, shall operate as independent contractors but the setting of all memorials must conform to these Memorial Rules and Regulations. Non-Cemetery workers, in setting and erecting memorials, are prohibited from scattering their material or equipment over adjoining lots or lawns, or from blocking roads or walks, or from leaving their material or equipment on the grounds except during such setting and only during normal business hours. Likewise, they are prohibited from attaching ropes to trees or shrubs. When heavy material or equipment is to be moved over lawns, boards must be laid to prevent injury to said lawns. Damage done to lots, lawns, walks, drives, trees, shrubs, decorations, or any other property shall be repaired by Catholic Cemetery personnel at the expense of the Memorial Dealer or the Lot Holder hiring said Memorial Dealer.

Deliveries are to be made only between 9:00 A.M. and 3:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, and the Superintendent must be present to inspect any memorial before setting; therefore, please call in advance to be sure that the Superintendent is present.

Should any memorial become unsightly, dilapidated, or a safety hazard to visitors or others, the Catholic Cemetery shall have the right, at the expense of the Lot Holder, to correct the condition or to remove the memorial. Neither the Association, the Diocese, the Catholic Cemetery, nor any of its authorized agents, assigns, or employees, will be responsible for nor assume any liability whatsoever on account of any damage done to any memorial or any part thereof at any time for any reason(s) whatsoever in the Catholic Cemetery or elsewhere.

Any person, Lot Holder, Memorial Dealer, or any one acting on their behalf, shall be bound by these Memorial Rules and Regulations. Any person, Lot Holder, Memorial Dealer, or any one acting on their behalf, who violates any of these Memorial Rules and Regulations will be subject to fines and/or a permanent ban from the Catholic Cemetery. Any such fines, and any expenses or fees, owed to the Catholic Cemetery by any person, Lot Holder, Memorial Dealer, or anyone acting on their behalf, must be paid in full before any Memorial Dealer, memorial owner, or Lot Holder can deliver or place a memorial in the Catholic Cemetery.

The Association and the Diocese reserve, and shall have, the right, without any liability whatsoever, to correct any error(s) that may be made by its employees, authorized agents, or assigns, or by any other person or persons, in the location or placing of any memorial(s) or foundation(s) in the Catholic Cemetery.

In all matters not specifically covered by these Memorial Rules and Regulations, the Board of Directors of the Association, by itself or through its Superintendent, reserves the right to do anything which in its judgment is deemed reasonable in the premises, and such determination shall be binding upon the Lot Holder and all parties concerned. Said Board of Directors reserves the prerogative to make exceptions to these Memorial Rules and Regulations for the sake of artistic, aesthetic, ornamental beauty, or to correct any anomalies or errors, and this shall not be considered as a rescission of these Memorial Rules and Regulations. Said Board of Directors also reserves the right to make, alter, or amend these Memorial Rules and Regulations or any part thereof at any time, all without notice or any liability whatsoever to anyone.

Size Restrictions

Size restrictions for Bevel Markers are as follows:

Single Markers Double Markers:
Minimum: 20 inches Length 30 inches
10 inches Width 10 inches
8 inches Height above ground level 8 inches
Maximum: 28 inches Length 48 inches
14 inches Width 14 inches
12 inches Height above ground level 12 inches

Maximum height for bevel markers in Sections E, K, O, and U is 8 inches above ground level.

Size restrictions for Flush (Grass Level) Markers are as follows:

Single Markers Double Markers:
Minimum: 20 inches Length 30 inches
10 inches Width 10 inches
4 inches (uniform) Thickness 4 inches (uniform)
Maximum: 28 inches Length 48 inches
14 inches Width 14 inches
4 inches (uniform) Thickness 4 inches (uniform)

Size restrictions for Slant Markers are as follows:

Single Slant: Double Slant:
Minimum: 20 inches Length (base) 30 inches
10 inches Width (base) 10 inches
14 inches Height 14 inches
Maximum: 28 inches Length (base) 48 inches
12 inches Width (base) 12 inches
20 inches Height 20 inches

Notes: The top nosing may only be a minimum of 2 inches and a maximum of 3 inches. The bottom nosing may only be a minimum of 2 ½ inches and a maximum of 3 ½ inches.

One piece slant markers are not permitted in Sections F, G, H (Block I), J, L, M, and P. Western-style slant markers are not allowed in the Catholic Cemetery except in Sections I, N, Q, R, T, and W as follows:

A western-style slant marker must meet the requirement of a slant as set out above except that there is no bottom nosing requirement and the maximum length (base) of a double western-style slant can only be 44 inches. It must be placed on a base (with rock pitch sides and sawed bottom) that is 2 inches wider around the perimeter than the slant which sits on it. The base can only have a minimum height of 6 inches. The maximum height of the base is 10 inches.

Size restrictions for Monuments are as follows:

Single Monument Double Monument
Minimum: 26 inches Base Length 30 inches
10 inches Base Width 12 inches
6 inches Base Height 6 inches
16 inches Die Length 26 inches
6 inches Die Width 6 inches
20 inches Die Height 20 inches
Single Monument Double Monument
Maximum: 30 inches Base Length 65% of width of graves
14 inches Base Width 16 inches
8 inches Base Height 8 inches
24 inches Die Length 78% of length of Base
8 inches Die Width 12 inches
28 inches Die Height 52 inches

Any monument over 5 feet in height (base and die) requires prior written approval of the Superintendent, which approval does not have to be given.

Single monuments are only permitted in Sections I, N, Q, R, T, U, and W. Monuments are no longer permitted in Sections A, B, C, D, and S.

Specific Rules and Regulations Governing Sections E, K, and O

In Section E, no monuments are permitted on lots of less than 8 contiguous grave spaces. In Sections K and O, no monuments are permitted on lots smaller than 8 feet wide and only on certain lots that are designed for that purpose or that meet minimum grave number requirements. Check with the Catholic Cemetery Office to determine if the monument requirements are met for your lot.

Specific Rules and Regulations Governing Sections F, M, and P

All markers must be flush (grass level) except South of the bushes in Section M, which area is for above ground (bevel) markers only. However, in all three (3) sections, certain lots, adjacent to the hedges, are designated as monument only lots and no marker may be placed on these lots. Please check with the Catholic Cemetery Office to determine the lot designation. The maximum height (base and die) of a monument, where permitted, is 36 inches and maximum width (base) is 14 inches.

Notes For Section F

(a) Since all bodies outside the hedge lay with their feet toward the Cross, memorials will be installed at the foot of the grave and the inscription will face the grave it identifies. Vases are restricted to one metal invertible-type in-ground vase per grave space and can only be installed by Catholic Cemetery personnel at either or both ends of the marker or monument. No vase may be installed on the granite.

(b) Flush markers only are allowed in the Estate Lots in Section F.

Specific Rules and Regulations Governing Section G:

Section G consists of two, three, four, five, six, eight, ten, and twelve grave family estate lots. No lot may be subdivided. One monument per lot is all that is permitted and each lot must have a monument. All markers and monuments will be placed at the head of the grave. All bodies are interred with the head toward the hedge. Man is on left and woman is on right as you face hedge.

All markers must be flush (grass level) markers and meet the size requirements for flush (grass level) markers as previously set out herein above.

All monuments must be placed back against the hedge where there is a place provided for them. No monument will be permitted out in the center of the lot, making it impossible to get the excavating equipment behind it.

A monolith monument is permitted but slant face dies are not permitted. All regular inscriptions must be engraved on the die only but additional inscriptions may be engraved on the top of the base. If individual names are already engraved on the flush marker or a flush marker is to be placed with such engraving, such individual names may not be placed again on the monument die.

No monument die may be less than 26 inches in length, 6 inches in width, or 26 inches in height (including the height of the base).

No monument die may exceed 78 per cent of the length of the base, nor exceed 12 inches in width, nor exceed 60 inches in height (including the height of the base).

No monument base may be less than 36 inches in length, 12 inches in width, or 6 inches in height.

No monument base may exceed 60 per cent of the length of the Memorial Row of the Lot, nor exceed 16 inches in width, nor exceed 8 inches in height.

Specific Rules and Regulations Governing Sections H (Block I) and J

Section H (Block I)

Section H (Block I) is a section whereby two-person vaults have been pre-installed double-depth in a single grave space. Therefore, the memorial is limited to a flush (grass level) marker only and MUST have a length of 28 inches and a width of 16 inches only. No other type of memorial is permitted in this Section.

Vases are restricted to one metal invertible-type in-ground vase per grave space and can only be installed by Catholic Cemetery personnel behind the marker. No vase may be installed on the granite.

Section J

Section J is a section where single-depth vaults have been pre-installed. This Section differs from Section H (Block I) in that the vaults are side-by-side rather than double-depth.

The memorial is limited to a flush (grass level) marker only. No other type of memorial is permitted in this section.

Vases are restricted to one metal invertible-type in-ground vase per grave space and can only be installed by Catholic Cemetery personnel at either or both ends of the marker. No vase may be installed on the granite.

Specific Rules and Regulations Governing Section T

All foundations for monuments and above ground (bevel) markers must have a 2 inch border or apron.

These Memorial Rules and Regulations of the Catholic Cemetery safeguard the Lot Holder, the Memorial Dealer, and the Catholic Cemetery. In many cases, they directly reflect on the health and safety of patrons and workers. There are valid reasons for all of the Memorial Rules and Regulations. We ask your cooperation in abiding by them.

The Board of Directors of the Catholic Cemetery Association of Fort Wayne, Inc.