Cemetery Rules & Guidelines
The following rules and regulations are designed for the protection of owners of interment rights as a group. They are not intended to be restraining, but rather to prevent the inconsiderate from taking unfair advantage of others.Their enforcement will help protect your cemetery and create and preserve its beauty. All owners of interment rights, visitors, and contractors shall be subject to said rules and regulations, amendments or alterations as shall be adopted by the City of Norfolk. Any changes, which may, from time to time, be made in these regulations, will be the result of an endeavor to better carry out the City’s purpose of service to you.
General Regulations
- In order that the entire cemetery may always present as neat and orderly an appearance as is possible the following regulations on flowers, ornaments and decorations is enforced
- Cut or artificial flowers may be used to decorate graves at any time provided they are placed in permanently installed, approved type containers or placed upon the monument or marker in such a manner that they are off of the ground, and do not interfere with mowing.
- Flowers, ornaments and decorations not in permanently installed approved type containers are permitted from November 1st through February 28th and 7 days prior to and 7 days after both Easter and Memorial Day.
- Grave decorations of any description, other than as provided herein, will not be permitted and if placed will be removed and destroyed
- The cemetery management and their agents have authority to enter upon any interment space or spaces to remove any objectionable thing or any structure that may have been placed there contrary to the regulations of this cemetery.
- The cemetery is not responsible for theft or damage to anything placed on interment spaces. Burial of the body of an animal is prohibited in any cemetery owned or under supervision of the city.
- Animals or fowl, including dogs and cats, are allowed in the cemeteries if they are on a leash or kept in a kennel or cage.
- Any unauthorized person found on the grounds after dark will be considered a trespasser.
- All persons are strictly forbidden to break or injure any tree or shrub, or mar any landmark, marker or memorial or in any way deface the grounds of the cemetery.
- The planting of trees and shrubs must be authorized by the Bureau Manager. Unauthorized plantings may be removed.
- It is unlawful for any person to place, deposit, or scatter the ashes of a deceased human or animal on, over or beside any grave located in any of the public cemeteries or burial grounds. In the event any ashes have been placed, deposited, or scattered, the ashes shall by handled by duly authorized city cemetery personnel in accordance with the policies and procedures set forth by the City Manager.
Lot Owner Rights
- Every grave and lot may have a memorial marker and/or a monument. Some grave markers must be flush ground level while others may be upright. Please be aware that should you place a pre-need memorial on a grave it may be necessary to move the memorial to make a burial in the grave. This would be at the expense of the owner.
- A Burial Order will be required for each and every burial. This helps ensure the cemetery follows the lot owner’s instructions and prevents errors in communication.
- Burial rights to cemetery lots must be specifically mentioned in a will to be left to an heir. If the lot/graves are not specifically mentioned the rights pass to all heirs equally.
- The City of Norfolk Bureau Manager of Cemeteries must approve any transfer of ownership of burial rights. The cemetery office will prepare the required affidavit.
