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frequently asked questions
Q: What is Perpetual Care?
A: Perpetual Care is the overall and general maintenance of the Cemetery. This includes grass cutting, trimming, leaf removal, basic trash disposal, and basic snow removal from roads. Perpetual Care does not include coverage of damage or theft of decorations, plantings or memorials, resetting memorials, shrubbery removal, repairing foundations (with exceptions) or personal requests.
Q: What is the Opening and Closing Charge?
A: This is the labor charge associated with the actual interment or entombment. It may include labor, equipment, crypt liners, materials, tools etc Click here to view the
52-Plus operations involved in an interment.
Q: Why can’t I plant shrubbery or perennials?
A: Shrubbery requires constant care and attention in order to be properly maintained. Unfortunately, as families get older and move away the attention is no longer given and the shrubbery becomes unsightly and overgrown. Also, the current layout of Gethsemane Cemetery is not conducive to shrubbery, and many times it is necessary to remove shrubbery in order to make an interment, and this we do not like to do.
Current regulations on existing shrubbery require it be maintained to a size no wider or taller than the memorial.
Q: Why can’t I place artificial Decorations, even in the winter?
A: There are several reasons for the No Artificial Decoration policy. First, artificial decorations may appear to be plastic, but they contain metal wire which is extremely dangerous to visitors and employees with the use of mowers, trimmers, snow blowers, etc. Second, artificial decorations fade and become unsightly in a short period of time which can mar the overall beauty of the cemetery. Third, landfills and recycling have driven the cost of trash removal higher. We recycle all the organic matter collected, and artificial decorations are not recyclable.
Q: Why do you take out my plantings and decorations at certain times of the year?
A: While families are responsible for the removal of all decorations and plantings, those that remain must be removed in preparation for the next holiday or season. We do this at set times of the year which are posted in parish bulletins and on cemetery signs.
Q: Why can’t I put flowers in the Mausoleum?
A: While flowers can beautify any area, they are best left outdoors. Unattended flowers can stain cause odors and permanent damage to carpet and marble.
Q: Why do you require a burial vault?
A: Concrete outer burial containers or concrete vaults are required by Gethsemane Cemetery for the purpose of maintaining the integrity of the burial and to keep the ground from collapsing.
Q: Do we have to be embalmed to be buried at Gethsemane Cemetery?
A: No, however, embalming is required to be entombed in one of our aboveground mausoleums.
Q: Why can’t we stay at the gravesite to see the casket lowered?
A: Strict insurance and safety regulations require that non-employees be kept back from unprotected excavations as well as during periods of work. Equipment and materials are coming in and out of the grave site during this time, and for these reasons we ask that you return to your cars and move to an agreed location if you desire to see the casket lowered.
Q: What is the Interment or Entombment Privilege Certificate?
A: At Gethsemane Cemetery you are purchasing the “exclusive right” to be interred or entombed, not the land or crypt itself. Many cemeteries call this a deed, but with a deed comes a certain bundle of rights. These rights are not being given or expressed at Gethsemane Cemetery.
Q: What are the cemetery hours of operation and visitation?
A: Office hours are Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 4:00 pm. Saturday by appointment. Mausoleum visitation hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm daily. Ground visitation in from dawn to dusk daily.
Q: Why wasn’t the date of death inscribed on someone’s memorial?
A: The memorial is the property of the family, and as such, the family has the responsibility to have any inscription work done, including the date of death for someone. You may contact us for more information.
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