Frequently Asked Questions on Pricing, Rules, Burial Practices, History, NYS Evaluation and Much More
Q. Are there restrictions on the size and type of monument I may have on my lot?
A. Yes. The Association has established very specific requirements for any monument/gravestone/plaque placed in the cemetery. At the time of the purchase of property, property owners receive Rules and Regulations along with their deed. It is absolutely necessary to read the rules concerning monuments before placing an order to have them made. The Association will deny the placement of any stone which does not meet its rules and regulations. It is the responsibility of the property owner to know what the rules are and to have a monument maker submit to the Superintendent a detailed sketch of the monument, including wording, symbols, etc. on the stone, at least 30 days before the stone is made. The sketch will be reviewed by the Association and approved in writing or denied; in the latter case, the Association will work with the property owner and monument maker to find an acceptable resolution to any areas which do not initially meet the regulations. The latest rules and regulations appear on this website. When revisions are made, they are posted on the website and will appear in future printed Rules and Regulations.
Q. Jonesville Cemetery is a not-for-profit cemetery subject to review by the NYS Division of Cemeteries. What has the Division said about the operation of the cemetery?
A. The Division has said that the cemetery itself is in exceptionally good condition and "serve[s] as a model for your community." The Division in its financial review says that Jonesville is one of the most well-funded cemeteries in Saratoga County, with a pro-active board who has shown great concern in both mananging Jonesville Cemetery and planning for its care in perpetuity.(November, 2009)
Q. What is the story concerning the new bell at the Ushers Road entrance?
A. The Meneely Bell originally hung in the former Grace Episcopal Church on Main Street in Jonesville. In 2008 after receiving the bell from the Charlton Historical Society and a formal request from the Jonesville Cemetery Association, the Town Board of Clifton Park placed the bell on permanent display in the Jonesville Cemetery in a new tower donated and built by Hinman Construction Company.
Q. When will the bell be rung?
A. The bell will ring automatically each day at 9 a.m.,noon and at 6 p.m. The bell will also be rung when a funeral procession enters the cemetery grounds for an interment, if a member of the JVC who knows how to activate the bell is present.
Q. If a family wishes to have the bell rung when they gather at a time other than during a funeral, will the Association ring the bell?
A. If a member of the Association is available to come to the cemetery at a mutually agreeable time to activate the bell, the answer is Yes. A suggested donation to the Jonesville Cemetery Project Fund for such a service will be $25 during the week and $50 on the weekend. This service is solely dependent on the availability of an Association member.
Q. If I wish to do pre-planning and to select a site in the cemetery, what process do I need to follow?
A. You may contact a local Funeral Director to pre-plan your funeral services. If you wish only to select a site, you may do so by contacting Jonesville Cemetery (see Contact Us).
Q. What is the benefit of purchasing a pre-need cemetery site?
A. Purchasing a site before an immediate need provides a more relaxed opportunity to consider the available sites.
Q. Why purchase property in Jonesville Cemetery?
A. Jonesville is a unique cemetery for those who live in the area. It is conveniently located off Exit 10 of the Northway, it is well-maintained, it has an informal, relaxed beauty and appearance, it has helpful personnel, it offers choice in options and sites at reasonable rates, it keeps in contact with its owners, it sets yearly goals and achieves them, it respects the various ways our owners reflect their grief and respect for their loved ones, it is responsive to our owners' requests, and much more.
Q. What are the sizes of a site in the cemetery?
A. The single plot is 4 x 10 feet; a cremation spot is 4 x 4 feet, subject to change. Various size plots or combinations are available. Contact the Jonesville Cemetery Association for the most accurate charges.
Q. How much do cemetery lots cost?
A. To secure the financial future of the cemetery as available property decreases, the Association has established and updates its rates. Cremation lots are $400 - $700; traditional lots are $900 - $1,600, depending on location in the cemetery. There is an additional charge of $150 for four, granite corner posts with the letter of the last name on them for all traditional lots.
Q. How many individuals may be interred in a 4 x 10 grave?
A. One person may be interred in a single grave; the cremains of a second person may also be interred. At the time of the sale of the property, the burial arrangements are stated in the deed. Any changes in the number of interments later may result in an additional charge.
Q. In property for the interment of a man and woman (husband and wife), who is interred on the left and right, as you face the property?
A. Custom is that the man is placed on the left (as you face the lot - headstone) and the woman on the right. Unless requested otherwise at the time of the selling of the property, Jonesville will follow this practice.
Q. Why is the man placed on the left?
A. There are two "thoughts" on this practice. One is the man is on the left and the woman on the right when they face a minister during marriage. When the man stands next to his wife, his physical heart is to the left of the center of his body - - closer to his wife. You asked! Those are the reasons!
Q. Approximately how many people are interred in the cemetery?
A. Although some records are missing (a fire in 1913 destroyed one burial book), a reasonable estimate is about 1400 are interred in Jonesville as of 2006. Other estimates suggest that about 252 from Union Grove Cemetery were moved to Jonesville in 1864 when the cemetery began.
Q. Are people of all faiths or no faith traditions interred in the cemetery?
A. Yes. Jonesville is a non-denominational, non-sectarian cemetery.
Q. What is the oldest gravestone in the cemetery?
A. Jemima Hubbs, January 10, 1799; she passed away at the age of 41.
Q. Which person interred in the cemetery in the early days of the cemetery had lived the longest life?
A. Joseph Brewer, 1715 - 1812.
Q. What is covered in the charge for property in the cemetery?
A. The ownership of the site and permanent maintenance of the site. Permanent maintenance means the cemetery will cut the grass in the cemetery and around all monuments, unless the area is blocked by pots or other items at the gravesite. Owners are responsible for their own gravestones and for the yearly removal of faded artificial flowers or other items. Owners are responsible for maintaining their lots in accordance with any changes in our Rules and Regulations.
Q. When is the annual lot owners' meeting with the Jonesville Cemetery Board?
A. The annual meeting is held the last Thursday of March in the Jonesville Methodist Church on Main Street in Jonesville. Check this website, The Schenectady Daily Gazette and The Community News for the most accurate date and time. The meeting is open to lot owners to listen to the Board's accomplishments and goals, and to ask questions/express views on the operation of the cemetery.
Q. I notice the cemetery has its own newsletter entitled Keeping in Touch. How does one get on the mailing list?
A. The newsletter is mailed at least twice a year (April and October) to members of the Friends of the Cemetery. All Friends have made a donation to the cemetery project fund at various levels.
Q. How does a person become a member of the Friends?
A. If you buy property in the cemetery, you will receive an explanation of the process. If you have owned property for awhile, just contact us through our email address and information will be mailed to you. Go to the Contact section of this website.
Q. What is the source of funding for ongoing maintenance of the cemetery?
A. There are three sources: sale of cemetery property, occasional donations from property owners, and remembrances in Wills. The cemetery is required by law to set aside 10% from the sale of property into a perpetual fund which may not be used until all cemetery property has been sold. So, when a person bought property in 1879 and paid $10, $1 went into a fund which will care for that site! Jonesville Cemetery has been frugally operated through the years and has placed about 40 - 50% of funds from the sale of cemetery property into the Fund. Even so, that 1879 sale would have resulted in $4 - $5 being placed in the perpetual fund. Jonesville Cemetery Association encourages property owners and community residents and businesses to make donations to the perpetual fund.
Q. Are there guidelines on the size of a stone marker and on the placement of flowers on the site?
A. You may review all rules and regulations which are listed on this web site.
Q. Are all of the rules of the cemetery posted at the entranceway to the cemetery?
A. No. The most frequently asked rules are listed on the sign. Additional rules are listed on the Rules page of this website and are distributed to deed owners when a piece of cemetery property is purchased.
Q. I have noticed that some of the new markers have discolored. How often should they be cleaned and who does the cleaning?
A. Over time, all markers discolor because of weathering or other environmental factors. You can clean your markers once a year or when needed, or you may contact a professional service to complete this task. JCA would be happy to recommend a professional cleaner for those who would like such information.
Q. How long does it normally take for a marker to be placed on a site?
A. This varies, depending on arrangements you have made with your Funeral Director or a Monument Company. Six – eight weeks would be a good guess. In the meantime, the Funeral Director may place a small temporary marker on the site.
Q. Does the cemetery have a mausoleum or plan to have one?
A. Because of the size, character and rules of the cemetery, no mausoleum exists and none is planned.
Q. May cremation urns be interred in the cemetery?
A. Yes. Urns may be buried in a full plot, along with the remains of a traditional interment. There are also sections (small plots) of the cemetery specifically for cremated remains. Only a flat, inground marker is allowed in these small plot areas.
Q. Is the cemetery associated with any particular faith traditions?
A. The Jonesville Cemetery is nonsectarian and is owned and operated by the Jonesville Cemetery Association, a not-for-profit organization, licensed by New York state.
Q. I notice various wreaths and other personal items near markers in the cemetery. What are the regulations concerning such items?
A. The Directors respect the various ways that individuals express their grief and feelings. We offer a degree of latitude in what may be placed on sites as long as the dignity and character of the cemetery are honored. No glass containers of any kind are allowed. You are asked to review our Rules and Regulations on this site.
