Rules & Regulations
VACAVILLE-ELMIRA CEMETERY DISTRICT RULES AND REGULATIONS
Adopted March 11, 1993
Amended: December 11, 2007 June 11, 2013 January 14, 2015 September 8, 2015 February 6, 2024
A. STATE OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
California laws govern cemeteries. The bulk of regulations is contained in the Business and Professional Codes and the Health and Safety Codes as detailed in the Cemetery Act.
PURPOSE
1. These Rules and Regulations are designed for the mutual protection of the owners of interment rights within the Cemetery.
2. All burial rights purchased shall be subject to these Rules and Regulations.
3. Owners of interment rights, visitors and persons performing work within the Cemetery, shall be subject to these Rules and Regulations, and to all amendments or modifications as shall be adopted by the Cemetery from time to time.
4. Their enforcement will help protect the Cemetery and create and preserve its beauty.
5. The Cemetery grounds are sacredly devoted to the interment of human remains, and the provisions and penalties of the law as provided by statute will be enforced in all cases of wanton injury, disturbance, and disregard of the Rules and Regulations.
6. Special cases may arise in which the literal enforcement of these Rules and Regulations and any amendments thereto may impose unnecessary hardship. The Cemetery therefore, reserves the right, without notice, to make exceptions, suspensions, or modifications in any of the Rules and Regulations, when, in its judgment, the same appears advisable; and such temporary exceptions, suspensions, or modifications shall in no way be construed as affecting the general application of these Rules and Regulations.
B. CHAPTER 4 – POWERS
1. State of California Health and Safety Code
Sec. 9040: RIGHT OF CEMETERY TO MAKE RULES AND REGULATIONS:
(c)The District that owns a cemetery shall have exclusive jurisdiction and control over its maintenance and management.
Sec. 9041: A District shall have and may exercise all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this part, including, but not limited to, all of the following powers as set forth in subsections (A) through (P).
C. RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR OTHER PURPOSES:
1. A cemetery may make and enforce rules and regulations for all other purposes deemed necessary by the cemetery authority for the proper conduct of the business of the cemetery, for the transfer of any plot or the right of interment, and the protection and safeguarding of the premises, and the principles, plans, and ideals on which the cemetery is conducted.
2. Interment right lots may be purchased from an authorized representative of the Board of Trustees, at the business office located on the Cemetery grounds. The terms of sale are cash. Upon payment in full, and payment of the non-refundable endowment care deposit, a certificate of ownership of the interment rights shall be issued to the purchaser.
3. No interment may be made or other services rendered, until all charges for lots, services and endowment care deposit have been made.
4. A maximum of TWO (2) burials are allowed in a single, full size plot: One (1) full
size single burial, One (1) full size single burial and One (1) cremains, (provided the
crypt is placed as the first burial, or a disinterment fee will apply for the cremains), Two
(2) cremains, or Two (2) full size burials in one double crypt. An approved crypt, vault,
concrete box or metal receptacle shall be used in EVERY interment.
5. Final committal services shall not begin before 9:00 AM or later than 2:00 PM. There are no burials on Saturdays, Sundays, or county holidays.
6. Interment right lots and cremation receptacles are limited to six (6) per family. All sales or transfers by owners by gift, inheritance, or otherwise must be accomplished through the district office, and a transfer fee will be charged.
7. Markers are available through private vendors only. Upright and pillow monuments may be placed in an approved upright section only. All others must be flat markers set at ground level. All memorial markers must conform to marker rules as to size and type. These rules are on file and available for inspection at the Cemetery office.
8. The Cemetery District reserves the right, when necessary, or in the best interests of the District demand, in the judgement of the Board of Trustees, to remove or re-inter remains that have been interred, keeping accurate records of such relocation, and whenever possible, notifying the purchaser or next of kin before the relocation is made.
9. Every reasonable effort will be made to care for flowers, vases and markers. However, neither the Cemetery District or its employees shall be responsible for any theft, loss nor damage incurred to anything of movable character placed at the burial site, or monuments and markers.
10. The placement of any memorial bench in the Vacaville-Elmira Cemetery District will continue to be subject to current rules and regulations of the District and shall require the pre-approval of the Cemetery management. Signed acknowledgment by the family or their appointed agent regarding the exact approved location of said bench will be mandatory prior to any installation. Effective November 13, 2007.
D. RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING DECORATION OF GRAVES
Effective May of 1993 Ammended February 6, 2024
1. AUTHORIZED DECORATIONS
Only real and artificial flowers will be accepted and shall be placed ONLY in the vases provided in traditional markers, not to exceed two (2) vases per plot. NO glass or ceramic vases.
NO paraphernalia, such as flowers, pictures, flags, stickers, knick-knacks etc. are to be placed in the niche areas that do not have vases provided. Only flowers, real or artifical, are allowed in niche areas that do provide vases.
Wreaths, sprays, flowered crosses, and other shaped or framed floral designs are allowed on the grave site only for the original burial services. Thereafter, all flowers must be placed in marker vases.
NO pinwheels, whirly-gigs, balloons, statues, bric-a-brac, stuffed animals, wooden or metal stakes, wires, or like devices are allowed on any grave site.
All holiday flowers, scarecrows, wreaths, easter lillies, etc. will be removed and disposed of starting the second week after the holiday.
A clean sweep of the Cemetery gronds to remove and dispose of all old flowers, any unauthorized decorations and any remaining holiday decorations including all Christmas decorations will be done starting the third week of January.
All ornamentation deemed in-appropriate by the Board of Trustees shall be removed by Cemetery management without notice, dependent upon operational considerations, safety and appearance.
Fresh and artificial, flowers that are wilted, faded or present an unsightly appearance will be disposed of.
An American Flag, 11 1⁄2″ X 16 1⁄2″ maximum size, may be placed in existing vases for Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, Fourth of July and Flag Day ONLY. Flags may be placed two (2) days prior until two (2) days after holiday. Flags flown on plots at any other time of year other than these special holidays will be picked up by Cemetery personnel.
NO bicycles, scooters, roller skates, roller blades, or skateboards may be ridden on Cemetery grounds.
The use of a canopy, EZ-up or other shade structure is strictly prohited. Personal umbrellas for shade are welcome.
Live music, bands, mariachi etc., are only allowed on the day of the burial.
NO barbecuing is permitted on the Cemetery grounds.
NO open flames such as candles or cooking tools are allowed.
Consuming alcoholic beverages and smoking marijuana or possesion of illegal substances is not permitted on the Cemetery grounds.
Check with the Cemetery office first if you are in question of any of the above rules.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES THANKS YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION
IN HELPING TO KEEP THE CEMETERY SAFE
AND PRESERVE IT’S BEAUTY AND TRANQUILITY.