Understanding Better the Rules and Regulations in Headstone Installation
After a few months of the death of a loved one, long-departed family and friends gather for the memorial to remember the memory of the departed loved one. The closest loved ones of the deceased are expected to experience struggles as they need to move on and plan for its memorial which is the installation of the headstone.
For some cases, the process can be easy as the departed loved one has already planned his or her headstone ahead. As a matter of fact, there are some people in the United States that used to install their headstone before their death and leaving minimal instruction to the family and maker for the additional information at the time comes.
Due to many practices and arrangements, setting for a headstone can be somehow frustrating for the closest family of the deceased as they aim to settle for a wonderful yet artistic way of memorializing the life of their loved one. In this article, we will figure out mysteries and frustrations that will help us set the best and acceptable headstone for our departed loved ones.
How to plan the headstone installation?
Nowadays, we used to hear families settling for an easy way to get a headstone, that is to buy online. However, ordering headstone online should comply with necessary steps such as the ordering process and if the cemetery will accept it.
Are you aware of the rules and regulations on how to install a headstone or memorial to your departed loved one’s grave? If you think installing a headstone runs with your own preference, you’re wrong. The state and various cemeteries establish rules and regulations regarding headstones or memorials. So, if you’re planning to buy a customized headstone or memorial for your departed loved one, you must be aware of these rules.
What are Cemeteries and Pre-Need Burial Contracts?
Before we proceed to the rules and regulations intended for memorial installation, let this article give you a brief background about cemeteries and pre-need burial contracts. This guide is made to educate consumers. We all know that in times of loss and grief, consumers can be vulnerable to misleading information.
What is the Virginia Cemetery Act?
This act is highly regulated by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation of Virginia. This act is intended for for-profit cemeteries that offer “perpetual care” and for individuals that sell “pre-need burial contracts” which are paid in advance and need to maintain trust fund accounts. Cemeteries whether it is family-owned, non-profit, or church cemeteries are exempted from this act.
When we say “perpetual care” it means maintenance, proper care, embellishment, and any relevant administration of the cemetery.
Like other activities, there are certain rules and regulations that need to be regulated to avoid unfair or unacceptable actions between two parties. In this article, you will be educated on certain factors to have a less-hassle yet successful headstone installation.
In arranging a headstone or grave lot for a departed loved one, you have to start your journey looking for a licensed and registered cemetery. The chosen cemetery should bear a company license submitted and passed with lawful terms and principles of the State of Virginia. When choosing a cemetery, you can double-check if there are ongoing disciplinary cases or the license is expired. However, the said cemetery with an expired license can renew by following necessary requirements and fees.
In the State of Virginia, all licensed cemeteries must provide a General Price List of all the products and services they offer. It should include all the possible charges like facilities, burial vaults, and other services.
What are the certain practices and conducts should a cemetery present?
In the line with grounds of disciplinary actions, the board can suspend the license of any cemetery license for a certain period or indefinitely. Suspension can be implemented once a cemetery violated or act as an accessory to any violation against Chapter 23.1 (54.1-2310 et seq.) of Title 54.4 of the code of Virginia or any board of regulation.
Another practice that a consumer must observe is the display of the license or registration of the cemetery. The said document or information must be effectively displayed to the premises of the business.
When talking about records, all records of interments should be kept permanently in the books or database of the cemetery. Interment records must include certain information like date of interment, person interred, and the location where the internment happened.
What are the consumer tips on Cemetery Services?
To avoid future problems, let these consumer tips help you.
- When looking for a cemetery, find one who is licensed. You can check or verify online the license status of the cemetery if they got past sanctions or problems. You can also contact the cemetery board for accurate information.
- Before signing any kind of contract, it is best to compare first the contract to the given General Price List posted.
- Find or require a more-detailed contract. It will be effective if the contract includes all of the itemized prices and some future costs if any.
- Don’t be fooled by verbal promises. All agreements about the burial and grave plots should be on the written agreement or contract.
- Before signing a contract, make sure that the grave plot is effectively detailed in your contract. It must contain the space number and the location. Also, it can be best to check first the map of the cemetery if the said grave lot is located correctly according to the details.
- If you are planning to move out of town or to another state, ask the cemetery if the grave plot and merchandise can be transferable in case of location movement. If yes, details of possible transfer should include in your contract.
- Find out details about refund and cancellation policies.
- Before purchasing a grave lot, make sure to check the overall performance of the cemetery’s care and maintenance.
- When availing of the cemetery’s services, make sure to secure a copy of the rules and regulations of the said cemetery. Be effectively inform about your restrictions and rights when it comes to cemetery operation hours, replacement, damaged or stolen merchandise, and even flower placement.
- Keep in mind, there is no cemetery that can prevent you from buying markers or headstones from outside dealers. However, the said headstone should meet the rules and regulations of the cemetery.
What are the consumer tips intended for Pre-Need Burial Contracts?
In choosing preneed burial contracts, all forms should be derived and regulated by the prescribed accordance of the Code of Virginia which is stated in 54.1-2328. If you choose to have Pre-Need Burial Contracts which are paid in advance, here are some tips you need to check out;
- The said contract should include the seller, the license number of the seller, the details of the buyer, and to whom the contract is being sold.
- Require a detailed contract that includes complete information of the services and grave lot purchased and see if the price is guaranteed.
- Check for any additional cost. It includes the opening and closing of the grave, at the time of burial or after the contract is paid. Take note of all details in your contract.
- The said contract must comply with all the existing requirements needed by the board.
- The contract must be duplicated and the other copy must be given by the buyer.
- If you change your mind or feel pressured after checking out a pre-need contract, you have the right to terminate the contract within three days after signing the contract as the state law says. In line with this, the attending cemetery should present a full refund minus the supplies or property already delivered.
Most of the cemeteries in Virginia and around the world have maintained such rules and regulations in placing headstones on graves within their premises. Usually, these rules and regulations cover the significant attributes of size, material, and type of headstone to be used.
Before you acquire or order a cemetery headstone for your departed loved one, you have to be fully oriented with the requirements settled by the cemetery. Remember, cemeteries can reject headstones especially when it does not meet their standards.
What You Need to Know Before Choosing a Headstone?
Before choosing a headstone or memorial for your departed loved one, you have to know first the rules and regulations of the cemetery in terms of headstones. If possible, you can furnish a copy of it and send it out to your headstone maker. Here are some questions that might help you understand the rules and regulations regarding headstones installation;
- What are the allowed types of headstones? Various cemeteries have a broad list of memorials or headstones allowed to their premises. Before choosing a headstone, you have to check if the cemetery accepts memorials such as flat bronze grave marker, upright headstone, side by side companion, flat granite grave marker, individual marker, infant marker, veteran marker, or any kind of headstone of your choice.
- When it comes to companion memorial, which side belongs to the wife and husband? Usually, cemeteries prefer placing the husband memorial to the left and the wife to the right. This setup works from the foot of the graves.
- What are the maximum and minimum sizes acceptable to the cemetery? Most of the cemeteries have certain requirements in terms of sizes and dimensions as well. To ensure that the cemetery will not refuse your headstone, check first the range of sizes they accept and see to it that it meets your headstone as well.
- Are you allowing a flower vase? There are some cemeteries that prefer flower vases made in granite and bronze. It is best to check first with your cemetery if they allowed placing flower vases in the headstone.
- Do you have any restrictions for memorials made in granite? Most of the time, cemeteries do not have certain regulations on the color of the granite. Most cemeteries prefer any color of granite especially for memorials like bronze markers with a base of granite.
- If in case bronze markers are allowed, is bronze coloring acceptable? When it comes to oxidation, most cemeteries accept bronze coloring. Most cemeteries allow bronze coloring but some of them limit the color from light to dark brown. When talking about this option, it will be best to check it first at your cemetery.
- Do you have any specific specifications? There are some cemeteries the require certain specifications like granite, they check lawn mower-proof edges. As for the granite base, there are also specific sizes needed and symbols used to represent Christianity, especially for Catholic cemeteries. When taking a headstone order, it is best to be fully aware of the particular requirements when it comes to installation.
- Do you require a layout or drawing of the headstone? Most of the cemeteries require this layout to ensure that the gravestone meets the requirements they need. You can request this layout to the headstone maker.
- Do you require paperwork for cemetery headstone placement? Yes, most of the cemeteries require special forms like authorization or permits that need to be furnished when placing a headstone. This form should bear the signature of the lot owner before accepting the headstone for installation.
- Do you charge an installation fee when placing a headstone? If the headstone will be placed by the cemetery, it is expected that you’ll be paying an installation fee.
These questions are very important as they will guide you in dealing with the pricing of the headstones with any headstone maker in your city or area.
What is the required paperwork for the cemetery?
When placing a headstone to the grave, it is usual to set some sort of documents for the cemetery. These documents are about some information that tackles the drawing or specification about the headstone. Most of the time, cemeteries request information on the headstone maker or the monument dealer you are dealing with. Finally, the said paperwork should be signed by the lot owner or by any authorization related to the owner.
Generally, this paperwork will be furnished under the assistance of the company you are dealing with the headstone. As they create your headstone, they will assist you in the completion of the paperwork along with the needed forms and information that covers the headstone.
What are your rights?
As a consumer, you also have rights when it comes to planning and placing a headstone. Your rights start on where you wish to buy your memorial or headstone. You will either purchase the cemetery itself or deal with a monument maker. Though we all know that most cemeteries give honest services, there are many times that they use unethical tactics to discourage customers from dealing with outside headstone makers.
There are some instances that there are cemeteries that will tell you that they are not accepting headstones made by outside sources or most likely, they will ask for additional charges for the installation fee if they choose to deal with another headstone maker. This action is illegal as stated to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) known as restrictive of free trade.
If you are experiencing this kind of treatment, you can contact agencies like FTC (Federal Trade Commission), Funeral Consumers Alliance, and ICCFA (International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association)
What do you need to expect with some cemeteries?
Most cemeteries provide quality and fair services in the most ethical manner, but there are still some of them that may not. Here are some circumstances that may cemeteries will do to keep you away from dealing with outside headstone makers;
- The cemetery might tell you that dealing with other headstone makers will cost you an additional fee. Keep in mind, this action is against the law as it will make you feel bad dealing with an outside dealer.
- One of the popular scenarios you might experience is they will tell you that they’re not responsible for your headstone if you choose to purchase it with an outside headstone maker. Though they don’t have responsibility during the delivery, with some circumstances like vandalism or acts of nature, they are fully responsible as it happened after the delivery and negligence of the cemetery’s worker.
- The cemetery will probably question the quality of the headstone especially if it is from an outside maker.
- Some cemeteries may tell you that they don’t accept headstones made by other dealers. The important thing is, the headstone should meet the specification given by the cemetery and they have no reason to not accept it.
If you think you are experiencing unfair acts or tactics by your attending cemetery, report them to FTC or to your local BBB (Better Business Bureau).
How to install a headstone in a commercial cemetery?
In our modernized society, headstones are installed through commercial cemeteries which are operated by burial and funeral companies. If you’ll observe from all commercial cemeteries in the United States, they don’t allow families to install headstones themselves. The idea might end up confusing as we always think that once we buy a lot, we can do whatever we want. That assumption is false. At the time you purchase a grave lot, you sign and agree with the rules and regulations of the cemetery and that includes the process of headstone installation.
The process of headstone installation to commercial cemeteries is easy and seen to be the typical process. First, the family should order a headstone maker which will be covered by them. Before taking out the order, you must check at the end of the cemetery if the layout or type of headstone is acceptable and abide by the specifications of the cemetery in terms of headstones. Aside from the layout, you also need to check out with them if they can install the headstone once delivered. Once the cemetery accepts your headstone, you can proceed with the production. When the time that the headstone will be delivered, you need to settle an installation fee to the cemetery staff and be responsibly handled by the cemetery as well.
Take note that cemeteries also offer headstones for retail, but as a consumer, you have the right to choose whoever you wish to buy headstones.
How to install a headstone in a private cemetery?
As you always see, most burials happen to commercial cemeteries but due to the huge number of buried people, some families settle for a private cemetery. When we say a private cemetery, it only offers a sizable portion of burials. These cemeteries are regulated and controlled by churches, families, and non-profit organizations.
In this type of cemetery, there is no official staff like what you have in commercial cemeteries. In this case, the headstone installation might not be covered. However, the good news is those private cemeteries are less strict than commercial ones. The bad side is that you need to check for a professional installer for your headstone. Checking out for an installer might take you hundreds of dollars.
When is the best time to install a headstone?
Apart from taking into consideration different cemeteries’ rules and regulations, you also need to reconsider when is the perfect time to install headstones. For places with warm climates, you can freely choose any time of the year to install a headstone as the ground is sufficiently dry. Installing on wet grounds is not advisable as it may lead to installation failure. Headstones that are insistently installed in the wet ground require to be leveled within the months of installation.
For places with cold climates, it is best to wait for the summer or spring months before installing a monument. Installing memorials in a ground filled with snow can be quite risky as you need to check from time to time if the monument remains on the level in the long run.
As for commercial cemeteries around the country, they don’t accept headstone deliveries during the snow season and wait until spring or summer as they assure that every installation they do is effective.
Conclusion
Planning and purchasing a headstone can be difficult, especially when you don’t know where to start. Generally, the process can be easy if you will choose a headstone company that will assist you all the way, from the planning to the installation.
As for a summary, you need to take into consideration the rules and regulations of the cemetery before coming up with the production of the headstone. The headstone must pass the specifications and wait for the approval of the cemetery. Be keen on the details not only to the cemetery but to the maker as well, to avoid future problems.
Additional information about cemeteries….
What is meant by Perpetual Care Funds for cemeteries?
When we say “perpetual care funds”, it is a form of money or payment placed under the trust of cemeteries that are intended to generate income to cover cemetery maintenance in an indefinite time. These funds are from the sales of gravesites, crypts, niches placed in mausoleums and columbariums. To get perpetual care funds, cemeteries will add 5 to 15% to the price range which will not affect the sales margin
In the State of Virginia, and most of all states, all cemeteries are required to accomplish endowment care trust or perpetual care. The aim of this fund is to help cemeteries in times of abandonment or disrepair. These funds are intended for upkeep and maintenance.
In a perpetual care trust, there should be an oversight by a third-party trustee. The role of the trustee is obliged to hire an accounting firm that will audit the funds and provide the necessary reports and work for tax filings to achieve stable standing.
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