9-3-1: CEMETERY REGULATIONS:
   A.   Designation Of Cemetery: All cemeteries so designated by the city council are city cemeteries governed by the terms of this section. Cemeteries are history written in stone. They are:
      1.   The final resting place for our loved ones.
      2.   An important place for loved ones as a place of remembrance.
      3.   A public space of dignity even for those who are not connected to it.
      4.   A public record of those who are buried there (our history).
      5.   A public sacred space that maintains the natural beauty of our rural heritage and ranges of the past.
   B.   Conditions Of Lot Purchases:
      1.   All lots shall be sold subject to the rules and regulations of this section, or those adopted hereafter by the city council.
      2.   No lot shall be used for any purpose other than the burial of human remains and the placing of appropriate monuments and/or memorials.
      3.   No mortgage or other encumbrance shall be given on any lot.
      4.   An interment, once properly made, shall not be disturbed except on written consent of the original owners or their heirs or as allowed by state law, and then also only when permission of the city is obtained.
      5.   Graves or lots are not intended for resale. Lot sales or transfers should be not for profit transactions.
   C.   Purchase Of Lots: When a lot is paid in full, a deed of title, for cemetery purposes only, shall be issued by the city clerk. (This subsection does not apply to indigent interment cases.)
   D.   Transfer Of Lots: The transfer of lots to another person shall be reported to the city clerk for recording. No person shall be recognized as owner unless so recorded. All transfers must be approved by the city clerk.
   E.   Rates For Burial Lots: The rate charged for each burial lot in a city cemetery shall be as set by the city council by resolution.
   F.   Rates For Interment, Disinterments:
      1.   The city of Lone Grove will be given prior notice of the need for the opening of a grave of not less than twenty four (24) hours except weekends and holidays which require forty eight (48) hours.
      2.   The rate for interment Monday through Friday between the hours of eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. and four o'clock (4:00) P.M. shall be set by a majority vote of the city council.
      3.   The rate for interment Saturday or holiday between the hours of eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. and four o'clock (4:00) P.M. shall be set by a majority vote of the city council.
      4.   The rate charged for disinterment of a grave in the city cemetery shall be set by a majority vote of the city council. Disinterment shall only take place between the hours of eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. and four o'clock (4:00) P.M. Monday through Friday.
   G.   Interment And Disinterments:
      1.   All interments and disinterments done in a Lone Grove cemetery shall be performed by city employees or, with prior approval of the city manager, by county employees.
      2.   Disinterment shall be performed only under the supervision of those persons properly authorized by state law to supervise the same.
   H.   Rules And Regulations: No person shall:
      1.   Enter a cemetery except through established gates.
      2.   Throw rubbish or debris on walks or drives or any part of cemetery grounds.
      3.   Pick or mutilate any flowers, either wild or domestic, or disturb any trees, shrubs, or other plants.
      4.   Consume refreshments or liquors within a cemetery or carry same onto the premises.
      5.   Permit any dog in a cemetery, leashed or unleashed.
      6.   Discharge any firearms or air rifles in or adjacent to a cemetery. This regulation shall not apply to authorized volleys at burials. (Ord. 2007-223, 12-17-2007, eff. 1-17-2008)
   I.   Cemetery Hours, Trespassing: It is unlawful for any person to be upon, or trespass in, the city cemetery between sundown and sunup of any day. Any person in, or trespassing in, the cemetery during said hours shall be guilty of an offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in section 1-4-1 of this code. (1990 Code § 11-101; amd. Ord. 2007-223, 12-17-2007, eff. 1-17-2008)
   J.   Property Damage: The city shall not be responsible for any damage to lots, structures, or objects thereon, or for flowers or articles removed from any lot or grave.
   K.   Traffic Regulation:
      1.   All traffic laws of the city that are applicable to the operation of vehicles shall also apply in the cemetery.
      2.   Person's driving in cemeteries shall be responsible for any damage done by or to their vehicle.
      3.   No person shall:
         a.   Drive a vehicle in excess of ten (10) miles per hour on any cemetery roads.
         b.   Drive off the established roads unless permission is given, in writing, by the superintendent of the cemetery.
         c.   Make a U-turn on cemetery roads.
         d.   Use a cemetery road as a public thoroughfare.
   L.   Supervision Of Lot Planting And Improvements: No planting (other than flowers) and other improvements to lots shall be done without the approval of the cemetery superintendent. The superintendent has the right to direct the removal of any inappropriate decorations, fences, flowers, potted plants, and wreaths which have become a hazard, unsightly, withered or dead.
   M.   Lot Care:
      1.   The following rules shall be observed in the care of the lots in the Lone Grove Cemetery:
         a.   All headstones or grave markers shall be approved by the superintendent for placement before being installed.
         b.   All lot owners shall care for and maintain all monuments, mausoleums, or markers erected on their respective lots.
         c.   Fences, structures of wood or stone and hedges are prohibited.
         d.   Those structures or enclosures established on any lot previous to the adoption of this regulation which have in the judgment of the cemetery management become unsightly or dangerous by reason of neglect or age shall be removed.
         e.   No elevated mounds shall be built over graves, and no lot shall be filled above the grade established by the city.
         f.   Chairs, settees, benches, and vases shall be permitted, only after approval, if these are properly installed and maintained. Failure to properly install or maintain shall be cause for removal.
         g.   Rubbish, refuse and unused containers shall not be left on any lot.
         h.   Artificial flowers on the headstones or markers need to be firmly attached or secured in a vase so they do not blow and create a hazard or trash. Chicken wire works ideal for securing flowers in vases.
         i.   Funeral bouquets of flowers will be allowed for funerals and will be removed as they become unsightly or the next time the grounds are mowed.
      2.   The following rules shall be observed in the care of the lots in the Lone Grove West Memorial Cemetery:
         a.   All lot owners shall care for and maintain all monuments, mausoleums, or markers erected on their respective lots.
         b.   All headstone or grave markers shall be approved by the superintendent for placement before being installed.
         c.   No person, firm or corporation may enclose any lot in the cemetery by curb, fence, posts, rails, pipe, or any other means.
         d.   No elevated mounds shall be built over graves, and no lot shall be filled above the grade established by the city.
         e.   Rubbish, refuse and unused containers shall not be left on any lot.
         f.   Chairs, settees, benches, and vases shall be permitted, only after approval, if these are properly installed and maintained. Failure to properly install or maintain shall be cause for removal.
         g.   Flowers may be planted on graves; however, if not maintained or become unsightly, the flowers may be removed. No trees or shrubs will be allowed on gravesites. Trees and/or shrubs will be planted only by the city of Lone Grove and any others found will be removed.
         h.   Monuments and markers placed in the cemetery will be orientated to have the inscriptions facing to the east. Flat markers flush with ground are allowed.
         i.   Approved cemetery headstones include upright headstones, flat bronze grave markers, flat granite grave markers, for individuals and side by side for companion grave lots. No monuments should bear anything of an advertising nature. Cemetery monument sizes are as follows:
            (1)   All flat markers are to be flush with the ground in order to facilitate mowing. Single grave monument markers cannot exceed thirty-six inches wide by twelve inches deep by four inches high (36"W x 12" D x 4"H) and companion markers cannot exceed forty-eight inches wide by fourteen inches deep by four inches high (48"W x 14"D x 4" H) in size.
Single marker
 
Companion marker
 
            (2)   Single monuments cannot exceed thirty-three inches wide by six inches deep by fifty inches (33"W x 6"D x 50"H) with base measurements not to exceed thirty-six inches wide by six inches high (36"W x 12"D x 6"H). Companion headstones (two adjoining gravesites) cannot exceed forty-two inches wide by six inches deep by fifty inches high (42"W x 6"D x 50"H) with a base not to exceed fifty-four inches wide by twelve inches deep by six inches high (54"W x 12"D x 6"H).
Single marker
Companion marker
         j.   Artificial flowers on the headstones or markers need to be firmly attached or secured in a vase so they do not blow and create a hazard or trash. Chicken wire works ideal for securing flowers in vases.
         k.   Funeral bouquets of flowers will be allowed for funerals and will be removed as they become unsightly or the next time the grounds are mowed. Real flowers are preferred, as plastic and silk flowers pose a significant health risk to livestock and wildlife in the area.
         l.   All permitted decorations and other commemorative items are allowed at the owner's risk.
         m.   Monument lighting is permitted only around the marker or headstone; however, the city of Lone Grove will not be liable for damage or loss caused by vandalism, theft, or mowing if lights are not properly placed near headstones. Placement of small American flags and commemorative flags for military service veterans and firefighters is permitted within four inches (4") of headstones.
   N.   Conditions Before Interment: No grave shall be opened unless charges for the lot have been paid or the funeral director assumes responsibility of payment.
   O.   Preparation Of Graves:
      1.   Only one interment in any one lot shall be permitted.
      2.   The city of Lone Grove shall not be held responsible for errors in location of graves on lots arising from improper instruction of lot owners. Orders from funeral directors shall be construed as orders from owners. (Ord. 2007-223, 12-17-2007, eff. 1-17-2008; Ord. 2021-284, 12-20-2021. eff. 1-21-2022)