LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP RESOLUTION 13-91 updated 6-19-2015
Whereas the establishment and operation of a cemetery serves the public interest of Litchfield Township, and Whereas the Ohio Revised Code provides for the establishment of a cemetery by the township; and Whereas cemeteries have already been established on Norwalk Road east of the town center and on Crow Road west of Yost Road; and Whereas it is appropriate to establish rules and regulations for the uniform and consistent operation of a cemetery; Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Trustees of Litchfield Township, Medina County, Ohio:
Section 1
That said cemeteries be named and known as the Litchfield Center Cemetery and the Crow Corners Cemetery.
Section 2
That the portion of said cemeteries, which are now ready for use, be dedicated for use as a place for the burial of the dead.
Section 3
That the Township Trustees are authorized and empowered to make and adopt suitable bylaws and regulations relative to the management, care, upkeep, and improvement of said cemeteries, and the burial of the dead therein, and regarding the construction, placing, and keeping of monuments, markers, structures, trees, shrubbery, flowers, and other things upon the lots and graves in such cemeteries.
Section 4
That the Trustees of Litchfield Township are hereby authorized and empowered to execute and deliver a proper deed to each purchaser of a lot in either cemetery upon the payment of the price fixed therefore; and to keep a suitable and proper record showing the sales and the names and addresses of owners thereof.
Section 5
That the 1952 addition known asSection F of the Litchfield Center Cemetery shall be of the park-lawn type of cemetery and that the erection of any markers which project above the surface of the grade established for the lots and burial spaces in the park-lawn portion of said cemetery shall be forbidden.
Section 6
That this ordinance shall be in force from and after, the earliest period allowed by law.
Section 7
That the deeds of lots and burial space therein shall incorporate, by suitable language, and part or all of such rules, regulations, and restrictions, as follows:
RULES AND REGULATIONS
OF LITCHFIELD CENTER AND CROW CORNERS CEMETERIES
Plat and Records
-The official plat and records of the cemeteries are maintained in the office of the Township Fiscal Officer and are open to the public. Each lot (consisting of one to four grave sites) shall be numbered on the plat and a corresponding deed shall be delivered to the lot owner upon the remittance of the full cost established by the Township Trustees.
Plan of Sale
-Lots are sold for cash or cash equivalent at a price determined by the Litchfield Township Trustees at their yearly organizational meeting. No interments will be made on any lot until payment for said lot or grave has been received. AnIndividual may only purchase one “four-grave” lot. Any lot purchased can only be re-sold to Litchfield Township for the original purchase price.
Funerals and Interments
-The Sexton determines the arrangement, of the location of, graves, as it is necessary that some uniformity shall prevail.
-All funerals and interments within the cemetery grounds are under the direction of the Sexton. No funeral or interment shall be held on Sunday or legal holiday, except at the direction of the Sexton.
-A burial permit from the local health department is required before interment can be made. A burial will not be made until such permit has been delivered to the cemetery office (Sexton or Fiscal Officer). Interment charges are due and payable when the order
is given.
-Permitted in each grave:
-One full burial, one full burial and one loose ash burial, or
up to two cremated remains.
-All full burials shall be made using an approved metal or concrete vault.
-No body except that of a human being may be interred in the cemetery.
Perpetual Care of Lots
-The Township Trustees reserve the right to perform all work for the care and upkeep of the lots and graves and the general maintenance in the Litchfield Center Cemetery and the Crow Corners Cemetery.
-Neither the purchase price of lots or graves nor the perpetual care agreement is intended to include the repair of the markers or monuments due to damages caused by the elements or vandalism. Perpetual care does not include the watering of cut flowers and plants.
Flowers, Plants, and other Decorations
-Up to two potted plants (while living), two vases of cut flowers, or artificial arrangements will be permitted upon lots and graves if they are placed in such a manner that they do not impede the maintenance of the cemetery.
-Winter decorations must be removed by April 1st.
-Summer decorations must be removed by October 1st.
-Any vases or pots with dead flowers or plants or those impeding the maintenance of the cemetery, at the discretion of the cemetery employees, will be removed and discarded.
-No glass vases or pots.(Glass vases or pots will be discarded).
-No decorative stones or mulch are permitted.
Trees and Shrubs
-The Township Trustees reserve the right to plant all trees and shrubs within the cemetery boundaries. The Township Trustees also reserve the right to remove, without notice, trees and shrubs planted in violation of these rules. A tree, of a type specified by the Trustees, may be donated for planting around the cemetery.
-No person shall trim, prune, or remove any branches from any tree or shrub in the cemetery. Cemetery employees will perform all such work as necessary.
Grave Markers and Monuments
-In keeping with the uniformity of appearance of all lots, with more modern cemetery landscaping, with the quiet, beautiful and dignified atmosphere which may be produced, no monuments may be erected upon the 1952 additionknown as Section F of the Litchfield Center Cemetery which shall be of the park-lawn type.
- The term “grave marker” shall mean a stone intended to indicate the location of a particular grave; sometimes it is called a head or foot stone which does not project above the surface of the grade established for the lot and burial space.
-Each grave marker shall consist of one part or piece only and shall be constructed of granite or standard bronze. The size of each individual marker shall be no larger than 24” x 12” x 4” thick. A family marker may be placed on a series of graves or lots taken by any one family and shall be no larger than 48” x 12” x 4”. These markers shall have a foundation at least the size of the marker and extend to a depth of 36” to prevent settlement.
-Upright monuments may be erected in the Crow Corners Cemetery and allsections except F of the Litchfield Center Cemetery. A monument shall be defined as any memorial structure other than a marker, vault, or mausoleum. Each monument shall consist of only one part or piece plus the base and shall be constructed of granite or standard bronze. The size of an individual monument shall fit upon a series no larger than 24” long x 12” wide. A family monument may be erected upon a series of lots taken by any one family and shall fit upon a foundation no larger than 48” long x 12” wide. These monuments shall have a foundation at least the size of the monument and extend to a depth of 36” to prevent settlement. The Township Trustees before installation shall approve any variations in the size of a monument.