RULES & REGULATIONS
 
     The Rules and Regulations governing ST. STEPHEN’S CEMETERY are not made for the benefit of the cemetery management, nor are they intended to infringe upon privileges of Grantees, but they have been found necessary to maintain peace and order within the      cemetery and to preserve and enhance the beauty of the cemetery grounds. 
     The cemetery grounds are sacred and devoted to the interment of the dead. Strict observance of the grounds is required. 
          Due to ever-changing conditions, the       cemetery management must reserve the right from time to time to change these rules and regulations as well as its service charges.  These changes apply automatically to all rights of burial…whether issued prior or subsequent to its adoption.
 
 GENERAL RULES
 
 1.    The cemetery is officially opened for visitation every day from sunrise to sunset.
 
 2.    Automobiles or other vehicles are not allowed to travel at a speed greater than ten miles per hour.
 
 3.    The cemetery is not responsible for the loss of objects on graves or lots.
 
 4.    Floral designs will be removed at the discretion of the Superintendent. Nothing can be planted behind the headstone. 
 
 5.    All work within the grounds of the cemetery will be performed by the cemetery employees only. All arrangements for work must be made at the Parish Office, 385 Central Avenue, Seekonk. 
 6.    Grading, sodding, seeding, fertilizing, and filling in lots by persons other than cemetery personnel is prohibited.
 
 7.    Fences, hedges, curbing enclosures, ironwork, wirework, seats, vases, corner posts above grade are prohibited on grounds.
 
 8.    Vigil lights are permitted ONLY if mounted on headstone base. Solar landscape lights are not permitted. 
 
 9.    Articles such as shells, stone chips, mulch, glass receptacles, toys, ornaments and other miscellaneous items which may be considered objectionable will be removed by the Superintendent, without further notice. The American flags and flag standards ARE permitted from Memorial Day until Veteran’s Day.
 
 10.    Any person who destroys or defaces any monument, tree, shrub, plant or building is guilty of a serious offense, punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.  The law is strict on cemetery vandalism and will be strictly enforced.
 
 11.    Christmas baskets, wreaths, sprays, etc. are permitted Dec. 1 to March 1.  Christmas decorations are removed after March 1.  Artificial flowers are only allowed within an 8” bed in front of the headstone and cannot surpass any grass.
 
 12.    The disposal of refuse of any type is strictly forbidden on cemetery grounds.  Please use proper receptacles.
 
 13.    All charges for the lots, care, interment, entombments, removals, foundations or other work must be paid in advance. 
 
 
 CONDITIONS & RESTRICTIONS
 
 1.    Lots or graves are not sold. When a Burial Right is purchased, the Deed owner acquires the exclusive right of determining burials. 
 
 2.    The price of the Burial Right includes a certain amount to be placed in the Endowment Fund.  This sum is invested in order that the cemetery will receive the interest semiannually to care for the lot accordingly and general cemetery conditions.
 
 3.    No transfer of Burial Rights or Deed will be made without the consent of the cemetery authorities.  Forms for such transactions may be obtained at the cemetery office.
 
 4.    Said Burial Right shall be indivisible and upon the decease of the owner, his heirs at law shall succeed to the privileges with the same restrictions, limitations and conditions.
 
 5.    When a Deedowner so wishes, he may designate the person or persons to be interred in said lot after his demise, by filling out the proper instrument conveying the Deed in trust to the cemetery.  After the person or persons have been interred, the lot will be closed.
 
 6.    To prevent grave settlement, containers are required as outside cases for all burials.
 
 7.    The removal of a body from one lot to another will be made upon the filling of the proper forms at the cemetery office.
 
 8.    In every instance of a removal or transfer, the easement must be presented at the Cemetery office, showing the right of burial in a lot, before the permits shall be issued. 
 
 9.    Funerals or burials are not allowed on Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, Sunday and Memorial Day. No Burials on Holidays-No burials on Good Friday. 
 
 PLANTING RULES & REGULATIONS
 
 1.    Evergreen, shrubs, bushes, trees are strictly forbidden.
 
 2.    Flowers in front of monuments are permitted if owner agrees to water and weed the planting once a week and will remove the planting at the end of the growing season.  If neglected, the planting will be removed by the Cemetery.  Flowers may be planted in front of monument only and not further than 8 inches from monument. Flowers or plantings are strictly forbidden on flat markers.
 
 3.    No Cement or clay planters allowed on sides of monuments on ground.
 
 MONUMENTS, MARKERS, & FOUNDATIONS
 
 1.    Repairs and upkeep of all memorials is the responsibility of the owner.  The cemetery will not be responsible for damage by vandals to any memorial within its confines.
 
 2.    Information relative to type and size of memorial allowed on any given lot may be obtained at the Cemetery Office.
 
 3.    The Superintendent shall have the authority to reject any plan or design for any memorial which, for reason of size, design, inscription, finish or quality of stone, is in the opinion of said unsuited to the lot or section on which it is to be place.
 
 4.    The dimensions and composition of all monuments to be erected must be submitted to the Office of the Cemetery to be approved.
 
 5.    No monument susceptible to disintegration or corrosion such as limestone, sandstone, cement or metal will be permitted.
 
 6.    All monuments shall be located on the lot according to the plan for the particular lot.  Purchases of multiple graves are allowed one up-right marker, or a ground flush individual marker on each grave.
 
 7.    Foundations will be constructed by cemetery employees only.
 
 8.    Deed owners and monument dealers may obtain more detailed information governing the erection of monuments at the office.
 
 9.    There are monuments in the older parts of the cemetery without foundations; some of these have become unsightly and even dangerous to those visiting the cemetery.  The management proposes to take the necessary steps to correct or even eliminate these conditions by the removal of such.  The cemetery is willing to install proper foundations at a cost.
 
 10.    The “Title” to the real estate of the cemetery under the jurisdiction of the Attleboro Catholic Cemeteries Office is held by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Fall River, a Corporation Sole chartered in the start of Massachusetts.

The Rules and Regulations governing St. Stephen's Cemetery are not made for the benefit of the cemetery management, nor are they intended to infringe upon the privileges of the lot owners, but they have been found necessary to maintain peace and order within the cemetery and to preserve and enhance the beauty of the cemetery grounds.

Due to ever changing conditions, the cemetery management must reserve the right from time to time to change these rules and regulations as well as its service charges. These changes apply automatically to all rights of burial…whether issued prior or subsequent to its adoption.