Rules & Regulations

The following rules apply to Lindenwood Cemetery:

• No person shall remove, cut, break or mark any tree, shrub, plant or flowers, either wild or cultivated; or mark, deface or injure any monument or other structure within the premises under penalty of prosecution
• No smoking, alcohol or illegal narcotics are allowed in the Cemetery
• No skateboards or inline skates are allowed in the Cemetery
• Bicycle riding in the cemetery is prohibited
• No person shall rest upon a grave that does not belong to them or walk upon a lot or grave except in a location where it is necessary in order to reach another lot or grave
• Dogs shall not be allowed in the Cemetery
• Children are not allowed in the Cemetery unless accompanied by an adult or visiting a grave
• No person shall bring firearms into the Cemetery except at military funerals, and under the supervision of the Foreperson
• All persons are requested to not leave refuse on lots or graves but to deposit it in containers provided throughout the Cemetery. All containers are for Cemetery use only

The Cemetery is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.

Lots and graves shall not be used for any purpose other than burial of the human dead or for the erection of permanent memorials, which meet with the approval of the Town of Stoneham. Under no condition shall the sod/grass be broken or removed or the grade of a lot changed unless approved by the Foreperson. Wooden crosses not to exceed 36 inches in height are allowed for up to six months after interment. Requests for extension of time beyond the six months must be made in writing to the Director of Public Works.

No glass containers or eternal flames are allowed. All decorations shall be confined within the 12 inch planting area and not exceed a height greater than 12 inches above the monument. Decorations that are not properly maintained or impede the proper and/or safe maintenance of the cemetery will be removed.

American flags, not properly maintained, may be removed thirty days after interment, Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Income from deposits in the Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund shall be used forever for preservation and care of said lot and the general preservation and care of the Cemetery, it being provided, however, that the whole of said income need not be expended annually and exclusively upon the said lot, but that the said lot shall be maintained perpetually in good condition.

The term perpetual care means mowing and trimming of grass at proper intervals and the raking, reseeding and other work as may be required to properly maintain the lot. In no case shall this mean the maintenance, repair or replacement of any gravestones, monumental structures or memorials of any kind or the reconstruction of any damaged gravestones, monuments or memorials. It does not include the planting and maintenance of plants, flowers, shrubs, or trees of any kind. The Town accepts no responsibility for the growth or survival of any flower, shrub, or tree planted by the lot owner.

Approved Shrubs

The following list of shrubs are approved for planting where allowed:

• Alberta Spruce - Recommended:
  • Ed Hirle Variety
  • Jean Dilley Variety
• Boxwood
• Holly
• Yews

Only the upright or pyramidal varieties of these shrubs are to be planted. The spreading varieties are not allowed. Any requests to plant shrubs other than on this list must be approved in writing by the Department of Public Works Director or his/her designee.

It is the responsibility of the person planting the shrub(s) to keep them trimmed. They must not be allowed to grow any taller than the monument they are next to.

Tombs

When bodies are deposited in the Tomb they are considered virtually interred and the foreperson is forbidden to open any casket without a written order from the immediate family of the deceased. In no case shall it be done when in the opinion of the Foreperson the condition of the body would render it improper.

Notice will be given, when possible, to the person signing order for interment in the Tomb, of the date set for removal of the body for earth interment; or in any event notice will be given to the funeral director or a member of the immediate family of the deceased.

The Town of Stoneham reserves the right to require that a body be deposited in the Tomb should a severe storm or other conditions make it impossible or inadvisable to open a grave for immediate interment.

Monuments

Applications to set monuments and markers on lots or graves must be submitted to the Cemetery Office, together with a sketch or drawing, which shall specify dimensions, lettering or markings, kind of stone to be used, and signed authorization by proprietor of lot or grave. All foundations for memorials must be installed under the direction of the Foreperson. No work shall be permitted on monuments or markers without signed authorization by proprietor of lot or grave and permission by the Foreperson of Cemetery after approval by the Town of Stoneham.

Monuments shall not exceed 48 inches in height. If any monument or marker shall be determined by the Town of Stoneham to be offensive or improper, said Town shall have the right to remove such object or to refuse to permit its installation in the Cemetery. All monuments or markers shall be subject to restrictions or requirements of the Town of Stoneham.

All foundation orders are to be accompanied by fee charged at rate established by the Town of Stoneham. Orders for foundations for Memorial Day will not be accepted after May 15th, and none after November 15th or until the frost is out of the ground in the spring.

Veteran’s Section

In the areas reserved for veterans, no planting of any kind will be allowed.

All floral decorations must be in pots or baskets and will be removed when they become unsightly.

Welfare Section

The Town will supply a grave at a location of its choice, at no charge for burial of a Stoneham resident who has satisfactorily proved that they are unable to pay for the lot and burial. Only flat markers will be allowed at these locations.