General Statement

            The grounds of St. Matthew’s Church are especially important to its parishioners and, indeed, to the community at large.  The grounds have historical significance, serve as a final resting place, offer a place for quiet reflection, and provide horticultural beauty.  The grounds’ history and ambiance are wedded to the house of worship which rests in its midst, further emphasizing the need for their proper care and preservation.

Categories of Eligible Persons

            Three categories of persons shall be eligible for burial in the cemetery, subject to the Rector’s approval:

(1)    All active baptized members of St. Matthew’s as well as their spouses and minor children

(2)     Spouses of persons previously buried in the cemetery.

(3)    Persons to whom, or for whose benefit, specific commitments for burial have been approved by the Vestry prior to the adoption of this policy.

Persons not covered under the above three categories and who can demonstrate strong ties to St. Matthew’s or to families with members buried in the churchyard may petition the Vestry for special permission.  Following such a request, the Rector, with the approval of at least five Vestry members, shall be authorized to determine eligibility.

Emergency Authorizations

In the event of any emergency, the Rector and two members of the Vestry may authorize burial in the cemetery.

Application for Burial Site

            Prior to the allocation of burial space in St. Matthew’s cemetery, formal application must be submitted, with separate application for each individual burial.  Each application must be accompanied by a fee of two hundred dollars ($200) for cremation burial or five hundred dollars ($500) for whole body burial, refundable if the application is rejected.  This application fee does not transfer title of land and is exclusive to the person in whose name the application is made.

            Application forms may be requested from the parish office.  Persons to whom this fee causes undue hardship may request waiver of fee by petitioning in writing to the Vestry of St, Matthew’s.  If it is decided that burial in St. Matthew’s cemetery is not desired, such assignment may be relinquished upon receipt of written request from the person for whom the assignment was made; in this event, the application fee will be refunded.

            Requests for burial sites which have been approved before the adoption of the document by Vestry action remain in effect.  No further application is needed and no application fee is required.

Interment

            In the section of the cemetery represented on the map drawn in 1961, burial sites can accommodate full body or cremation remains; however, in the interest of conserving precious space, cremation is the recommended option.  This will usually allow for more than one burial (for example, husband/wife; parents/children) in the same burial plot.  Up to six urn burials or one whole body plus two urn burials in a four foot by seven foot gravesite are permitted.  The Memorial Garden can serve as a final resting place for burial following cremation.  Only in the older part of the cemetery will space for whole body burial be provided.

Memorial Garden

            Burial of cremated remains in the Memorial Garden is subject to all provision of this policy statement (including the $200 application fee), except as follows:

(1)    Only the burial of cremated remains is permitted.  Ashes must be in a biodegradable container or buried with no container.

(2)    No specific location within the garden may be reserved for burial, and markers & mementos may not be placed to locate specific burial sites.

(3)    In lieu of other monuments or markers, uniform 9”x3” bronze plaques will be installed around the Memorial Garden seat wall on which may be inscribed the name and the dates of birth & death of persons buried there.  All arrangements for the purchase, design, production, and installation of such plaques are handled through the following company:

Ron Bartholomew

Durham Marble Works

1501 Morehead Ave/P.O. Box 3535

Durham, NC 27702

Phone (919) 810-5772

Please know that we will strive to accommodate requests for vertically adjacent plaques for spouses, but that all other decisions about the precise location of plaques are determined by the order in which requests are made.  As of March, 2009, the cost for such plaques is $309.58, but the price may fluctuate over time.

Opening and Closing Graves

            Cremated Remains:   

            Customarily the church sexton opens and closes grave sites for the burial of cremated remains at a charge of $75.00.  Alternatively, families can contract with a licensed Funeral Service for this service.

Full Body Burial:

            The family will contract with a licensed Funeral Service to open and close graves for full body burial.  Church staff will assist in site identification.

Grave Monuments

                        To minimize monument damage and to facilitate efficient maintenance of the grounds (e.g. mowing), it is recommended that graves be marked with flat stone or metal monuments not exceeding 18” wide x 30” long, placed into the ground so that the top exposed surface is flush with the surface of the grave site.

            However, above-ground monuments are permitted subject to prior approval by the Vestry.  The vestry reserves the right to reject monument designs.

            Since above-ground monuments increase the cost of maintaining the grounds and, ultimately, the monuments themselves, a one-time maintenance fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) is required for each above-ground monument placed in the cemetery, whether a head or foot stone.

            Formal application and payment of fee is required prior to the placement of any permanent markers.  Application forms may be requested for the parish office.  This statement should be included on the “application for placement” form.

Plantings and Other Flora

            Because the cemetery is a contiguous part of the church’s grounds, the size, type, and ease of maintenance of all plantings must be carefully considered for compatibility with the natural beauty, historical character, and maintenance of the existing church grounds.  Therefore, the following guidelines apply:

(1)    Planting and removal of trees, shrubs, and other plants continues to be the sole responsibility of the Vestry.  Plantings that have not been approved by the Vestry or its designee are subject to removal.

(2)    Persons placing cut flowers or potted plants on grave sites are responsible for their removal once they have faded.

(3)    At no time are plastic or silk flowers considered appropriate. 

Memorials

            Those wishing to memorialize loved ones buried in the churchyard may do so by making a gift or contribution.  This should be done in consultation with the Rector.  Objects placed in the churchyard require the approval of the Vestry or its designee.  The care, conservation, and stewardship of the churchyard are of great importance to the community of St. Matthew’s church and all gifts to this end are welcomed.

(Adopted by Vestry – April 24, 2001)

Revised version approved by the Vestry – October 24, 2006

Memorial Garden plaques (3) details inserted March 10, 2009

Opening and Closing Graves inserted March 30, 2009