Rules & Regulations
The following rules and regulations have been adopted by the trustees of the Longmeadow Cemetery Association. They have placed no restrictions upon lot owners, except such as are deemed to be necessary to secure peace and good order within the limits of the cemetery, to protect the interests of the lot owners, and to preserve the beauty of the grounds. All persons must conform to these rules in the general interest. The trustees of the association reserve the right to change these rules without notice as in their judgment may be necessary or advisable.
General Regulations
Improvements within the grounds and upon lots are made only by authorized personnel or by consent of the cemetery management.
The cemetery independent contractors have the authority from the board of trustees to remove any objectionable planting, item or any object that may have been placed there contrary to the regulations of the Board, and they may remove any dead, overgrown or damaged tree, shrub, plant, or vine. If any lot or grave shall become unsightly or hazardous, it shall be the duty of the Superintendent to put such lot or grave in proper condition.
The Longmeadow Cemetery Association and its independent contractors will not be responsible for loss or damage to any article or object left upon a grave.
The cemetery hours are from dawn to dusk.
Permitted
- Fresh flowers and potted plants any time (pots 10″ or less in diameter and no higher than 8″).
- Natural winter decorations from November 15th to March 1st (cemetery log boxes, wreaths and sprays of evergreens with very little artificial material 10″ in length maximum and no wider than 6″).
- Only American flags and military flags are permitted on graves.
- Photography of gravestones is permitted.
NOT Permitted
- Any items placed outside the grave lot are not permitted—including items hung from nearby trees and bushes.
- No artificial flowers, trees, glass objects such as candles, pumpkins, or other such materials are permitted on graves sites.
- No DOGS are allowed in the cemetery except for service dogs.
- No rubbings, impressions, cleaning or other treatments of gravestones is permitted (except by the owner of the stone or with permission from the association).
- Erection of fences, guards, hedges, railings, edgings and other enclosures will not be allowed. Those already existing may be repaired.
- Benches, settees or chairs will not be permitted (with the exception of bench shaped markers and those benches placed in the cemetery by the Association).
- Placing of stone, brick, gravel or other similar material as an enclosure, or use of decorative stone or boulders is prohibited on any gravesite (unless said boulder IS the gravestone).
Grading/Planting
Planting of trees other than those planted by the Association within prescribed tree lines is prohibited. Only such varieties of trees or shrubs as are acceptable to the Longmeadow Cemetery Association will be permitted. All planting of trees and shrubs shall be done by the independent contractors employed by the cemetery. The Longmeadow Cemetery Association reserves to itself the entire control of every tree, shrub, vine or plant growing within its boundaries, whether planted by the lot owner or otherwise, including the right of removal when it considers such removal advisable.
Sales Of Lots
All lots shall be sold to or for residents or former residents or heirs of former residents of the Town of Longmeadow subject to the following rules and regulations and to any amendments thereof or additions thereto. The record of deeds of lots sold is kept among the records of the Longmeadow Cemetery Association and is the only evidence of title of the lot owners recognized by the Association. A lot may be used as a place of burial for the human dead and for no other purpose.
Perpetual Care
All lots will be sold subject to perpetual care. A portion of the sale price shall be applied and added to said fund. All lots created before perpetual care was established (i.e. the ancient burial area) will be given the same general care as those sold with perpetual care.
Division Of Lots
Lots as sold will not be divided. No objection exists, however, when there are joint owners to an agreement between them as to parts of the lot to be used by each, but the Longmeadow Cemetery Association will not undertake to record or enforce such agreements.
Ownership
On the decease of the proprietor, a lot passes to his/her heirs-at-law unless specifically mentioned in the will or deeded in trust. An affidavit must be filed, signed by one of the heirs-at-law and in the case of minors, by his/her guardian. Such affidavit must include a list of the names of all heirs and a majority must designate one of their number as representative (or if minors, the guardian of one of them) who shall be authorized to sign orders for internments and give all other needful directions regarding the lot. If no such affidavit on the part of the heirs-at-law shall be filed as hereinbefore required, the Board of Trustees may designate in writing some of the heirs, or his/her guardian so to act and thus prevent subsequent misunderstanding regarding the ownership and control of the lot. Property purchased can also be sold back to the Association and the amount paid is limited to the amount paid at the time of the original purchase. Transfer of property to another person for burial rights is allowed with a notarized letter. A reasonable charge may be made for the registration of all lot changes.
Change Of Address
The Longmeadow Cemetery Association should be notified promptly of any change in post office address of any lot owner.
Transfer By Deed
The lot owners shall not allow internments on their lots for remuneration, nor shall any transfer of interest therein be valid except by deed to the Longmeadow Cemetery Association, which in turn, by and with the consent of the Board of Trustees, may issue a deed, properly executed, to the new owner.
Restrictions On Interments
No grave shall be opened by anyone other than those employed by and under the direction of the Longmeadow Cemetery Association. All graves shall be at least three inches within the line of the lot, and shall be at least five feet deep for adults and of sufficient depth for children.
No more than one interment of cremated remains may be made in a single 36”x36” cremation lot. In any single full-sized lot, a full vault burial with the possibility of up to three cremation burials on top may be permitted. A surcharge of $500.00 for the second and third cremation burial would be implemented. Interments in any one grave, whether casket or cremated, shall be limited to members of the same family.
No internment will be permitted on any lot until full payment for the lot, or for any accrued charges, has been made. The number and location of graves or interments to be permitted on lots will be regulated by the Longmeadow Cemetery Association. The grade of lots is established and must not be changed. The Superintendent or his representative is required to be in attendance at every interment.
When instructions regarding the location of a grave on a lot cannot be obtained or are indefinite, or for any reason the grave cannot be opened where specified, the Superintendent may at his/her discretion open it in such location on the lot as he/she deems best and proper that the funeral may not be delayed. All funerals while within the grounds shall be subject to direction of the Superintendent, or his representative.
Opening Of Graves
Application for the opening of graves, either on private lots or in the single grave section, or for the opening of a tomb or vault to permit an interment, must be made to the Association.
Application For Interment
The applicant for an interment order must be able to give the following particulars: name of deceased, place and date of birth, place and date of death, married or widowed, last residence, and name of undertaker: and also present a Board of Health permit as required by law.
Removals
The disinterment or removal of a body requires a written order from the owner of the lot or from the nearest relative of the deceased or the relative’s representative, and is subject to all State or Municipal requirements. Notice must be given the Longmeadow Cemetery Association at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of disinterment so that proper arrangements may be made. All disinterments from LCA property must be made by LCA personnel or our designees.
Holiday Service
Insofar as is possible, it is desired to avoid funerals on Sundays and holidays unless immediate burial is ordered by the Board of Health. When interments are to be made, the concrete crypts to be used must be delivered to the cemetery at least eight (8) working hours previous thereto and not later than 5 p.m. of the previous day.
Monuments And Markers
No monuments or markers shall be erected by any lot owner without the approval of the Longmeadow Cemetery Association. No existing monument or marker shall be altered or changed in any way as to inscription, or location, without the approval of the Cemetery Association.
Regulations Re-Size & Placement of Monuments & Markers
Only one head stone shall be permitted per each two grave lot, excluding flat foot markers and graves sold in the designated single grave section of the cemetery.
| Single Grave Lot Marker | One 14″x30″ Base & No more than 40″ High |
| Cremation Lot | One 24″x12″ Flat Marker |
| Two Grave Lot | One Monument Not Exceeding 16″x60″ Base & 40″ Total Height |
| Four/Five Grave Lot | One Monument Not Exceeding 16″x60″ base & 48″ Total Height |
All upright monuments must be centered at the head end of the lot. One additional 12’x24” flat marker may also be installed at the foot of each individual grave. More than one inscription may be made on the head stone or on a marker flush with the ground.
The Longmeadow Cemetery Association assumes no responsibility for the wrongful inscription thereon, or error in any subsequent changes in any inscription thereon or damage thereto.
Any questions concerning monuments or markers should be made by calling the Superintendent at 413-244-7215.
Foundations
All foundations shall be installed by the Longmeadow Cemetery Association.
Law Enforcement
All persons are reminded that the cemetery grounds are devoted to the burial of the dead and they should conduct themselves therein with proper decorum. The provisions and penalties of the law will be invoked in case of wanton injury, vandalism, disturbance, or any other violation of the law.
Legislation
All rules are subject to any State or Municipal legislation heretofore or that may hereafter be enacted.
