Updates:
Water Pump Enhancement: We are pleased with our new enhancement to the water pump area near the Longkill entrance. The new split rail fencing and plantings really add a pleasant feeling to that area. We are still in the planning stage of adding an informational display which will show the original map with all of the unique names for all sections and roads in the cemetery. We will also highlight certain sections or historically interesting monuments on the display.|
Great Flower for Hot Cemetery Sun: Periwinkle is a great annual to place in the full, hot sun in the cemetery. It can go for 3 - 4 days without watering. Put it in good, rich soil (not just sandy soil) and watch it flourish.
Regulations Concerning Monuments Revised: The Association reminds all property owners to review carefully all rules and regulations concerning new monuments. Prior approval is required. Written copies of Rules and Regulations may be requested by contacting us by email. All rules also appear below on this page. The rules are updated each year to begin the first of the new year, unless the Association feels a rule needs immediate attention.
Jonesville Cemetery on New CD: In the spring, the Association will have several CDs available for use on your computer. The first CD will be about the Trustees, the history of the cemetery, and the Meneely Bell Tower. Other CDs will be released for the next two years and will be about Inscriptions, Those Who Rest Here, Enhancements, Unique Monuments, and Preservation Projects. More information to come.
Cleaning Gravestones Brochure: Property owners interested in knowing how to clean their own family gravestones are invited to send an email to us, requesting our new, step-by-step brochure entitled Cleaning Gravestones.
Metal Hangers/Solar Lights (effective August, 2008): The Board decided that lot owners may not place any size/type of metal hangers for plants, chimes, etc. on their lots as they have the potential of injuring cemetery personnel or others; second, solar lights of any type/size may not be placed on cemetery property as they change the nature of the evening cemetery.
Cemetery Rates: Effective November 20, 2009, the rates for cemetery property changed. The charge for single cremation graves range from $400 - $700; the charge for single graves range from $900 - $1600 each, depending on location in the cemetery. These charges were increased based on the amount of remaining space in the cemetery. Further rate adjustments may be made.
Cemetery Tour: Jonesville Cemetery Association offers an hour tour of the cemetery entitled How to View the Jonesville Cemetery. Learn techniques of how to see the hidden things in the cemetery, visit the sites of the Father of Clifton Park and the Father of Jonesville, the third entranceway into the cemetery, the large site with only one stone, and more . Cost is $5 per person, minimum number in party is 4 - 5. Go to our Contact Us page and send us an email with your name and telephone number; we will work out a convenient time for the tour. [Comments from Recent Participants in Tour: "Informative, entertaining"; "loved it -- would love to attend another in the rest of the cemetery."]
Tour for Young People: If you have a Scout group or school group interested in a 45 - minute tour of the cemetery for young people, please go to our Contact page and send an email to us. Students should be in 3rd grade or higher. Group size is limited to 20 - 25 with several adult chaperones.
Jonesville Featured Third Time in Broadcaster Newsletter (NYS Association of Cemeteries, Summer, 2006, Fall, 2007, Fall, 2008): Three articles written by Ed Hughes, Vice President of JCA, appeared in issues of the Broadcaster newsletter sent to over 100 member cemeteries in NYS. The titles were "Jonesville Cemetery Keeps in Touch with Lot Owners to Buy a New Fence" , "Celebration Ceremony of the Lives of Our Departed Children" and "Where to Place an Historiic Bell."
Artificial Flowers: Owners are encouraged to remove faded artificial flowers and replace them, yearly, if desired.
Vegetation at Markers: Owners are reminded that vegetation which goes over on a neighbor's lot or which obscures the writing on the stone must be cut back. Cemetery personnel will cut back such vegetation on old cemetery lots whose owners are no longer known or locatable.
Marker Requirement: The Association has established a new regulation concerning the placement of a permanent marker on cemetery lots. The requirement is a permanent marker (granite or other acceptable stone) must be erected on the lot one year after the first interment on a lot. The temporary marker placed at the time of interment may not be used as a permanent marker.
Goals for 2009:
Dedication of new Veterans' Memorial (accomplished)
Ringing of Meneely bell at noon, 6 p.m. and at funerals, when possible (accomplished)
Resurfacing of all roads with stone dust (accomplished)
Repair and cleaning of 40 historic stones (accomplished)
Addition of new granite bench (accomplished)
Upgrading of hand pump area including path (accomplished)
Completion of database and pictures for Areas E, F, H, A, B (accomplished)
Communication with all property owners on the east side of fence concerning fence ownership/repair (done)
Newsletter
Jonesville's newsletter (Keeping in Touch) was introduced in January, 2006 (normal publication in March and October) and mailed to all Friends of the Cemetery who have contributed to the cemetery through the Fund Drive or at other times. The newsletter will contain information on the history of the cemetery, on changes, and on opportunities for volunteers to assist the Board of Directors in enhancing the dignity and appearance of the cemetery.
Rules and Regulations: [Updated June, 2010]
All lots in the Jonesville Cemetery are sold in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the State of New York and shall not be used for any other purposes that as a burial place for deceased human beings.
To maintain the dignity and character of the Jonesville Cemetery, a set of rules and regulations have been developed for all who select this resting place.
Open from sunrise to sunset.
Plantings/Decorations
- Flowers and tasteful decorations may be placed on lots. Please remove faded, artificial flowers yearly. No metal hangers/solar lights of any size or kind.
- Plantings shall be no more than 15" from the stone.
- No plantings in back of stone unless you own the lot in back of the stone.
- Trees: Memorial trees may be donated and will be planted at the discretion of the superintendent.
- Owners are responsible for yearly trimming (by August 1) of their shrubs.
- Existing shrubs intruding on a neighboring lot, inhibting mowing or which are in the way of future interments or which are unsightly may be cut back or removed at the discretion of the superintendent, after due notice to the lot owner.
- The Jonesville Cemetery Association reserves the right to remove, after due notice to the lot owner, any embellishment on the lot, effigy or inscription which, in the opinion of the majority of the trustees or directors, is unsightly or dangerous.
Restrictions on Lots
- No glass, ceramic or earthenware vases/containers of any kind are allowed. Please use plastic or metal containers.
- No crushed stone, brick chips, marble chips, etc.
- No fences/retaining walls are permitted without prior approval of the superintendent.
Operations of Cemetery
- Hours of operation are from sunrise to sunset.
- Christmas decorations shall be removed by March 31.
- Spring cleanup will commence April 1. Owners are asked to remove artificial flowers and other decorations to assist in the clean up.The Association assumes no responsibility for these flowers/decorations.
Vehicles and Other Restrictions
-Speed Limit: 5 MPH. Vehicles are to stay on roadways.
-No snowmobiles, ATVs, skateboarding
-No dog walking allowed.
Monuments Requirements and Procedures
Corner Markers: Beginning in 2005, corner markers are required on 4 x 10' and larger newly purchased cemetery property.
One Year Rule: Property owners are required to place a permanent marker on their property within one year after the first interment has occurred. The metal temporary markers may not be used as permanent markers.
Size: Monuments on cemetery lots must not exceed the following measurements: single grave lot (32"), double grave lot (42"), triple grave lot (52"), and four grave lot (62"). A flat, ground level plaque for a cremation lot may be no more than 12" by 24". The granite base upon which the stone rests may be 12 - 14" wide (front to back).
Height: The height of monuments must be consistent in appearance with others in the part of the cemetery in which they are to be placed; specifically, a monument including base may be no taller than 3 feet on a single lot, and no taller than 4 feet on other lots. The height limitation refers to the highest part of the monument.
Required Sketch: A sketch with dimensions, wording and graphics must be submitted to the Superintendent before the approval of all stones. Monuments on large lots must first be approved in writing by the committee of Superintendence before the monument is ordered. Failure to comply with these size rules will result in denial of the placement of the monument or removal at the owner's expense.
Embellishment to Stone: The Jonesville Cemetery Association reserves the right to remove, after due notice to the lot owner, any embellishement on the lot, effigy or inscription which, in the opinion of the majority of the trustees is unsightly or dangerous or otherwise inappropriate in the context of its surroundings. In addition, the Association may deny any embellishement, effigy, or inscription on the stoine itself which, in the opinion of the majority of the trustees is not in keeping with the standards of good taste, appropriateness or traditional standards.
Time Frame: The lot owner shall provide the required sketch to the Superintendent as soon as one is available but no less than 30 days before the stone is to be made. The monument shall NOT be made until the Superintendent has approved in writing the initial sketch with dimensions. Depending on the original sketch, the Superintendent may require a final sketch (with dimensions) for written approval to verify that the final monument reflects the perviously approved monument.
Thickness: Every monument shall be 6 - 8 inches in thickness; the granite base may be 12 - 14" wide (front to back).
Color: No monuments or markers shall be permitted which use colors other than those of natural colors of marble and granite.
No. of Monuments: Only one main monument shall be allowed on a lot in accordance with established sizes; individual headstones may be used on a multi-grave lot, but footstones are not allowed with a monument or headstone.
Bases of Monuments: The bases of all monuments shall be finished true and level so as to fit on foundations without wedging or sprawls. No monument will be allowed to be delivered in the cemetery until the foundation is installed and ready to receive the monument, unless otherwise permission granted by the Superintendent.
Delivery: The monument company will arrange a mutually convenient time to meet with the Superintendent when the monument will be delivered and he shall be present for the delivery and placement of the stone, unless he determines otherwise.The Superintendent will check the monument to make sure it conforms to cemetery requirements before providing a required written authorization for its placement.
Material: All monuments or markers must be constructed of granite or marble to match others on the lot. Bronze plaques (such as military plaques) may be on a separate foundation or on the monument itself.
Non-Traditional Monument Makers: When a property owner hires a non-traditional monument maker to design a monument, it is doubly important for the property owner to insist that cemetery requirements (listed above) are followed. If the Superintendent feels that a detailed sketch with all measurements of a non-traditional monument requires Board approval, he will call a meeting of the Board to review cemetery requirements and the submitted sketch. In this case, it is absolutely imperative for the property owner NOT to proceed with ordering the monument until the Superintendent and Board have approved the proposed monument in writing. Depending on the monument, the Superintendent and Board may require a second sketch of the proposed non-traditional monument to make sure it meets the requirements established through the review process. Any stone which fails to meet these requirements will NOT be allowed in the cemetery even if it has been manufactured and paid for by the property owner.
Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the property owner to make sure that any monument meets cemetery requirements, procedures and decisions. It is NOT the responsibility of the cemetery.
Foundations: All foundations must be constructed by a company appointed by the Jonesville Cemetery Association.
Unique Circumstances/Requests: The Association reserves the right to review all request and adjust its regulations upon the approval of the Trustees.
Additional Rules
All lots in the Jonesville Cemetery are sold in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the State of New York and shall not be used for any other purposes that as a burial place for deceased human beings.
Interments: Notice of burial must be given to the Superintendent at least twenty-four hours previous thereto. The Superindent or a suitable representative shall be in attendance at every burial. No interment shall be allowed without permission being first obtained from the Jonesville Cemetery Association (JCA). All interments will be provided by the JCA. At the time of applying for permission, the following information must be furnished: (1) name of deceased; (2) age of deceased, including date of birth, if known; (3) place of birth of deceased, if known; (4) date of death: (5) time and date of interment; (6) if not an adult, the names of parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of deceased.Lot owners are prohibited from allowing interments to be made on their lots for compensation. Interments in a lot are restricted to those entitled to burial therein according to the terms of Section 1512 of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. Permission for burial of those not entitled to burial according to the said Section, must be filed with the Jonesville Cemtery Association by the lot owner(s). Funerals must be at the cemetery by 4 p.m. in order that the workmen will have sufficient time to properly close the grave and remove equipment before 6 p.m. Interments on Sundays and Holidays may occur with the approval of the JCA and at an additional charge. Graves will not be opened between December to April when frost and weather conditions warrant such refusal. Concrete vaults or concrete grave liners will be required for interments in all graves in acordance with the provisions of Cemetery Board Dirvetive 201.6.
Cremations: Cremated remains will not be permitted to be scalled in any part of the cemetery. The interment of cremated remains will be permitted only in appropriate rigid receptables such as wood, metal, plastic or concrete.
Disinterments will be allowed between April 1 and November 30 provided there is compliance with all provisions of Section 1510 ( e ) of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. No body shall be removed after burial without the consent of the Directors/Trustees, and only under their direction, on a written order of the proprietor of the lot. No grave shall be opened for burial or removal excepting by employees of the Association.
Permanent Maintenance: The term "permanent maintenance" refers only to the cutting of grass throughout the cemetery and around markers/monuments except where items (flower pots, etc.) placed by the owner or others prohibit mowing.
Responsibility Concerning Interments: The Association shall not be responsible for any interment or instructions concerning an interment given by telephone or any mistake occurring due to lack of proper instructions from lot owners, their legal representatives or funeral directors acting on behalf of the owner or his/her heirs as to the particular grave location where an interment is to be made. The Association reserves the right to make an equitable charge whenever additional labor costs result from such a mistake. Before a grave is prepared by the Association, a member of the family of the deceased or his/her legal representative must come to the cemetery to point to the burial spot on a multi-grave lot (more than 2 graves) and note the location on a written layout plan kept by the family and the cemetery; if a layout plan does not exist, the Association will request one on a regular basis until such plan is prepared and presented to the Association. The family member or legal representative must sign a document indicating the approval of the location of the burial.
Layout Plan on Multi-grave Lots: Owners of a multi-grave lot (more than 2 graves) must complete and submit to the Association within two months from the date of sale (indicated on the deed) a preliminary layout plan provided by the Association to indicate who is to be interred in each grave.
Property/Purchase: Except as provided for in Section 1513 ( c ) of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, no lot owner may transfer his or her lot.The full purchase price must be paid before a deed will be given or burial allowed on the lot.The number of human remains and/or cremated remains will be determined, following Jonesville Cemetery burial options, at the time of the purchase of the burial lot, unless a later written request is approved by the JCA Board.
Prohibitions: All persons are prohibited from picking any flowers, wild or cultivated; or from breaking any tree, shrub or plant. All persons are forbidden to write upon, or deface any monument, stone, fence, or other structure in, or belonging to the cemetery. Riding or driving a vehicle within the grounds excepting on the roads, is forbidden; also walking upon any burial lot. No motorized sports vehicles are allowed. All persons violating the rules and regulations of this Association will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Vehicles in Cemetery: All funerals, processions and vehicles will be under the control of the superintendent while in the cemetery. Heavy trucking or other vehicle traffic shall be refused entrance to the cemetery when, in the opinion of the superintendent, injury to roads and driveways might result.
Work in Cemetery: All work done in the cemetery shall be done by cemetery employees or under the control or with the permission of the superintendent or board of directors.
The Association reserves the right to remove faded artificial flowers or any plantings or decorations it deems inappropriate or improperly placed, to change these rules and regulations without prior notice, and to close the cemetery temporarily during funerals or when cemetery roads are impassable.Consult: www.cliftonpark.org/jonesvilleca for additional Rules of the NYS Cemetery Board. These rules and regulations may be amended by the directors of the Jonesville Cemetery Association, but no such amendments shall be effective until approved by the New York State Cemetery Board. (Revised June, 2010)
