WHEREAS, the City of Willcox is
authorized by Section 9-240.11(b) Arizona Revised Statutes, to establish
and maintain cemeteries and has by prior resolution numbered 89-13
established certain rules, regulations, and fees for the operation of
the cemetery, and
WHEREAS, it is in the City's best interest to revise the rules
and regulations, the fees and charges, and to establish guidelines for
the operation of the cemetery.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and City Council
that the following rules, regulations, guidelines, policies, fees, and
charges regarding the Sunset Cemetery are adopted effective May 1, 2004,
and all previous regulations, policies and charges inconsistent with
this resolution are rescinded.
I. Burial Requirements:
a. Prior to all burials, city workers will verify that the burial
is planned for the correct space and either owned by the person being
buried or notarized authorization by the owner of the space.
b. Prior to all burials, compliance with Title 36 Arizona Revised
Statutes for the transportation and disposition of human remains (AZ
TRANSIT PERMIT) shall be required.
c. The City is not responsible for persons other than City staff who
may damage curbs, waterlines, plantings or other improvements by
excavations for burials. The person or entity causing the damage must
pay and City for the repairs and/or replaces any damage.
d. The City reserves the right to approve any excavation or digging by
hand or backhoe at the Cemetery by non-City staff, including the
process of closing of gravesite by non-City staff. Exception: see V.
b.
e. Only one casket may be placed in a gravesite, except in areas where
the gravesites are large enough for two caskets.
f. Burial space in lots - no more than six (6) spaces or gravesites is
allowed in the lot. Properly spaced eight (8) urns may be allowed in a
gravesite.
g. Gravesites may be inspected by cemetery personnel to determine if
the gravesite has been encroached upon by the interments in adjoining
gravesites. If it is found that a casket has been improperly aliened
in an adjoining gravesite; or if it is discovered that there is
insufficient area to safely open the gravesite without causing a
caving condition; or if there is any other encroachment that may cause
the gravesite to be unusable for interment; then and in any of these
events other arrangements must be made for the interment of the
deceased person.
h. Developed areas will be determined as having defined curbs, water
and platted gravesites.
i. Certain areas of the cemetery are currently undeveloped. No burial
spaces will be sold in these areas until and unless they are developed
and platted as lots.
j. On undeveloped areas already deeded, the City will install curbs at
City's convenience. The City will provide other services on pathways
such as water, weed control, or grading roads the same as provided on
developed areas.
k. An unlimited number of lots or gravesites may be purchased by an
individual or family.
l. In the area designated as "Indigent Burials", the City
provides gravesites for qualified indigent persons, as stipulated by
Cochise County.
m. Babies and small children who do not require a full size gravesite
will be buried in the area designed in Sunset Cemetery for smaller
gravesites.
n. All persons interred must be buried in caskets. Cremation urns may
be buried without a casket or use of outer burial container. Indigent
burials may be buried without the use of outer burial container. All
burials in the grass area require the use of outer burial container.
The outer burial container shall be made using materials approved by
Public Services & Works staff.
o. Exceptions to these burial requirements may be granted by the City
Manager with recommendations from cemetery personnel.
p. "Certificate of Interment Right to Cemetery Lot." In the
event that the right is not exercised within 15 years, it will be
deemed abandoned after notice or unsuccessful attempt to notify the
purchaser or next of kin of the pending abandonment. If the owner or
next of kin or other responsible party, indicate in writing that
family intends to use the space in the future, then the right shall
continue for an additional 15 years
II. Maintenance.
a. Water: A) Cemetery personnel shall water the grass area
on a seasonal schedule of the cemetery as dictated by weather
conditions and season. If funerals and weed control problems require
extra time, watering will be done as time permits. B) In the desert
section individuals, responsible parties, may water their plantings on
their own. C) The city is not responsible for replacement of personal
plantings or trees that suffer due to lack of water or care. D)
Watering of City trees is scheduled by cemetery personnel.
b. Trimming: A) Cemetery personnel will trim trees as
required upon request not to exceed twice annually. Shrubs and bushes
may be trimmed four times annually maximum upon request. If burials or
weed control require additional time, the City reserves the right to
delay, reschedule, or delete trimming. B) The City is not responsible
for damage to trees or shrubs from trimming or for satisfaction of the
person requesting the trimming. C) Individuals or responsible parties
may trim trees or shrubs and must remove trimmings from the Cemetery.
D) The City reserves the right to remove dead plantings that are
deemed a safety hazard.
c. Grading: The cemetery personnel will grade and maintain
roads and alleys within the cemetery as required. Grading will be done
periodically as needed. Other grading activity must be authorized by
the Director of Public Services & Works.
d. Filling Settled Graves: The cemetery personnel will
restore settled graves upon request. Restoration will include placing
dirt, compaction and leveling area. Any improvements on the lot
including gravel, plantings, plastic, or concrete must be removed by
the person requesting the work. Upon request or as time allows the
City cemetery personnel will assist resetting headstones. (See
"f")
e. Repairing Water Lines and Curbs: A) the cemetery
personnel shall repair water lines and spouts as needed. B) The City
will repair curbs bordering the lots as required. The city is not
required to maintain curbs installed by private parties between spaces
or gravesites or lots.
f. Repairs after Burials: After burials and closing the
descendants or relatives or responsible parties must replace and
repair any and all improvements. If no relatives exist, the grave will
be closed and improvements will not be replaced by the City.
g. Additional Care: The cemetery personnel will do other
care activities when authorized by City management.
h. Damage to gravesite: The City is not responsible for
damages or loss of personal items on gravesites due to vandalism.
III. General Rules and Regulations of the Desert Section
a. Written approval from the Department of Public Services &
Works Building Inspector is required before any structural improvement
is made on the gravesite(s). Any improvements in the nature of extra
curbing, railing, fencing, must be approved by the Building Inspector.
b. Only evergreen trees, flowering bushes, and desert-type plants
may be planted in any gravesite.
c. Grass or colored stone covering is permissible.
d. No animals shall be buried on any gravesite.
e. All burials must be in the gravesite.
f. There shall be no changes to City installed curbing.
g. No mausoleums shall be permitted in this portion of the
cemetery.
h. Monuments are to be made of granite, marble, bronze or stone or
other durable material approved by the Building Inspector. All
monuments must be suitable for the size of the lots and should blend
with others in the cemetery.
i. No monuments shall exceed 42 inches in height from the
foundation nor shall the monument be closer than 4 inches to the edge
of the plot dimensions on all sides. Any enclosure erected on a grave
site shall not exceed 42 inches in height and shall be constructed in
a safe and sound manner as determined by Public Services & Works
Building Inspector.
k. Curbs shall not be more than 6 inches in width, no less than 5
inches or greater than 8 inches above the ground and footing no less
than 5 inches or greater than 8 inches deep. There must be no fewer
than two reinforcement rods or bars, one above and one below ground,
except in the case of brick or rock curbs. Rock or large boulders may
be used inside the curbing. Inspection is required by Building
Inspector or a representative appointed from the Department of Public
Services & Works. The Building Inspector shall approve the method
and type of construction for each lot or gravesite improvement.
m. Uncared for lots or gravesites that become unsightly, unsafe, a
nuisance or detrimental to the appearance of the cemetery shall be
managed by the Department of Public Services & Works/Code
Enforcement Officer. Notice shall be mailed to the last known or
recorded address of the owner. If no response is received and no
repairs made within an appropriate amount of time (not less than 30
days), the Director of Public Services & Works shall direct
cemetery personnel to enter said lot or gravesite and remove the items
causing the nuisance or safety hazard.
n. Unauthorized structural improvements are subject to removal.
IV. General Rules and Regulations of the Grass Section
(Currently Blocks 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12)
a. Flowers. No live plants are to be planted in Blocks 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, and 12 (or areas designated as grass section). Fresh flowers may
be placed at the gravesite. Artificial plants will remain until such
time as fading or discoloration occurs. Any and all objects, including
flowers that block the path of the mower during the mowing season
(March 15 through October 31) shall be removed and not replaced. Only
flowers in headstone vase may remain. Every effort should be made to
keep memorial objects in the vase or on the headstone.
b. Only flat markers will be permitted in Blocks 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
and 12 (or areas designated as grass section). Grave coverings will
take on a pleasing appearance and will require a minimal amount of
maintenance. Tamping is required if cement is used to set headstone.
c. Vaults shall be used in Blocks 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 (or areas
designated as grass section). Wood is not acceptable.
V. Rates and Fees
a. Rates for Opening and Closing graves at Sunset Cemetery:
Fiscal Years: 2004-2005-2006
| Gravesite:
Regular
Grass
Infant
Mausoleum
Urn |
Mon.-Fri.
$250-300-350
$350-400-450
$100
$175-205-235
$100 |
Sat.
$310-360-410
$430-480-530
$160
$235-265-295
$160 |
Sun.
$370-420-470
$510-560-610
$220
$295-325-355
$220 |
Holiday
$430-480-530
$590-640-690
$280
$355-385-415
$280 |
Thereafter, every Fiscal Year the Opening & Closing
rates will be adjusted to Consumer Price Index (CPI).
b. Option: the deceased person's families or another
responsible party may hire an independent private contractor to open and
close the gravesite. The independent private contractor must meet the
following City criteria:
1. Registered contractor with the Arizona
Registrar of Contractors.
2. Proof of one million dollars ($1,000,000)
worth of public liability insurance and name the City of Willcox
additionally insured. Waiver of Liability
signed by a responsible person and notarized.
3. All work must be performed under the
coordination of the Public Services & Works Building Inspector.
Appropriate fees are due and must be paid upon request
for interment.
c. Prices for Graves:
|
Fiscal Year:
Gravesite:
Regular
Grass |
2004
$300
$450
|
2005
$350
$550
|
2006
$400 (all years include curb)
$600
|
| Mausoleum |
Space sales will be conducted by
Westlawn Chapel |
| Infant Lots
|
$100 - if a larger baby gravesite is
required two (2) gravesites may be purchased in infant area
which is a full sized gravesite at the Regular Gravesite Price. |
| Urn |
$100 |
d. Gravesites and the opening and closing of the grave
must be paid for in advance of the use of the service. Payment
arrangements are available on reserved gravesites, not on the opening
and closing, at $15 per month per gravesite, plus $10 setup fee and 1.5%
interest per month on the balance due.
e. Indigent burials: The City shall charge the Cochise
County rate set in the Contract for Cemetery Services for Indigent Dead
dated August 23, 1989. The Contract for Cemetery Services for Indigent
Dead shall be adjusted from time to time through a written agreement
with Cochise County.
|
Infant |
Adult |
| Opening and Closing Graves: |
$100 |
$200 |
| Prices for Gravesites: |
$ 65 |
$200 |
Indigent burials plots or gravesites are in an area
designated for County Burials. County Burials shall be conducted on
Monday through Friday excluding Holidays.
|