Groton Rural Cemetery
198 Clark Street, Groton, New York

1. All plots (lots) in the Groton Rural Cemetery are owned by the Groton Rural Cemetery. Deeds to plots (lots) are sold
in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the State of New York. Those purchasing deeds become members in
the Groton Rural Cemetery Association and receive three (3) privileges from the association:

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a) the right of burial of human remains, including cremated human remains, per the requirements of the laws of
the State of New York;

b) the right to memorialize per the laws of the State of New York and these Rules and Regulations; and

c) the right to vote at the annual Plot Owners (Deed Holders) Meeting of the Groton Rural Cemetery
Association, as announced by legal notice in the local newspaper.

2. A non-deteriorating receptacle (grave liner) must be used on all interments 201.6. All interments and disinterment’s
are to be made by the Cemetery. Authorization is to be made in writing by the owner or legal representative
whenever a grave is to be opened. Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) and green burials are not permitted in this
cemetery. The Cemetery allows the burial of cremated domestic pets in a single grave, only when concurrent with a
human burial.

3. Lot owners shall not allow interments to be made in their lot/s for remuneration; nor shall any transfer or assignment
of a lot be valid until approved by the Cemetery Association. No transfer or assignment can be made after an
interment has been made in the lot. The Cemetery assumes no responsibility for errors in accepting orders over the
telephone.

4. Disinterment’s may be made on the consent of the Association and the written consent of the owner/owners of the
lot and the surviving spouse and children, if of legal age, and the parents of the deceased. If the consent of any such
person/s cannot be obtained, or if the Association refuses its consent, the consent of the Supreme Court of Tompkins
County shall suffice.

5. Plantings of any description shall not be made on any lot or grave except as outlined in Regulations #5, 6 & 7 or
where the written approval of the Cemetery has been obtained. Any planting made without approval may be
removed without notice.

6. Planting of annual flowers on graves is a privilege granted, provided adequate provision is made for the care
required to keep such plantings in order. Flowers, plantings, decorations of any kind may only be placed on the
memorial monument/marker, on the monument/marker’s concrete foundation or directly in front of the
monument/marker’s foundation, extending no more than twelve (12) inches from the front edge of the foundation
and not past the width of the foundation.

7. No wire, glass, plastic, or other material deemed harmful to cemetery equipment or personnel by the Cemetery
sexton/caretaker will be permitted to be used as edging of this defined area. Should the plantings or decorations
become overgrown, unsightly or encroach on adjacent graves or lots, after due notice to lot owner(s) the Association
shall have the right to remove such plantings and put the lot or grave in order at the expense of the lot owner.

8. No trees, bushes (including rose bushes, lilacs, or ornamental shrubs) shall be planted on any lot and or grave
without the express written permission of the Cemetery sexton/caretaker. If any trees or shrubs shall by means of
their roots or branches become detrimental to or encroach upon adjacent lots or paths or become unsightly, after due
notice to lot owner(s) the Association shall have the right to enter said lot and remove said trees, shrubs, or such
parts thereof as they determine to be detrimental or unsightly. No tree growing in the Cemetery shall be cut down,
trimmed, or otherwise altered without the consent of the Association.

9. A maximum of two metal or plastic flag holders of any style shall be allowed on any grave.

10. Ornamental plant/flower hangers or solar lights of any kind must either be installed in the ground in front of the
memorial monument/marker as defined in Regulation #6 or securely attached to the front of the memorial
monument/marker or concrete foundation. A maximum of two in any combination are allowed with each memorial
monument/marker placed on any lot or grave. This rule also applies to any unmarked grave or lot that contains a
burial. Any more than two items shall be removed by the Cemetery sexton/caretaker. Nothing is to be hung in trees
or placed more than 12” from the front of a monument.

11. Plant/s in pots or urns may be placed for Memorial Day and are not to be glass or china. They should be reclaimed
by October 15 th . After that date, any items will be discarded.

12. Decorative stone like the type used for mulch is not allowed. Mylar balloons, wind chimes, banners, and string lights
are not allowed along with full or empty beer bottles/cans. Do not leave food items. Shepard style hooks for hanging
pots are not to exceed 3 feet in height and nothing is to be in the ground on the back side of the monument, no
stakes, flags, plants, etc.

13. While the Cemetery Association is concerned with the protection of lot decorations, such as plantings, flowers, etc.,
it cannot assume responsibility for their protection from unauthorized removal by unknown persons (theft).

14. No memorial monument/marker shall be placed on any lot until a deed for such lot has been issued to the lot
owner/s.

15. All foundations for memorials/monuments shall be placed by the Cemetery, the charges for which shall be
reasonable, uniform, and approved by the State Cemetery Board. The Cemetery shall accept responsibility for the
proper construction of such foundations. Applications for installation of foundations shall be in writing, giving a lot
owner/s name, address, section and lot number.

16. Foundations on single grave lot shall not exceed a maximum of 36” (36 inches) in width. A foundation on multiple
grave lots shall not exceed 60% of width of said lots. Foundations must be a minimum depth of 42”.

17. Should any memorial monument/marker become unsightly, dilapidated, or a menace to visitors, the Cemetery shall
have the right, at the expense of the owner/s, to correct the condition of the memorial monument/marker, after due
notice to lot owner(s).
18. Dogs are not permitted in the Cemetery; there are signs at each entrance.

19. Use of lanes or roads for motorcycles, bicycles, snowmobiles, and other unlicensed vehicles is prohibited.

20. Any soliciting of memorial business within the Cemetery including unsolicited approaching of the bereaved for any
purpose is not permitted.

21. No lot owner shall erect, or cause to be erected or placed on any lot, any memorial monument/marker in respect of
which the Cemetery Association disapproves because it is detrimental to the harmonious appearance of the cemetery
grounds in general.

22. All prices, charges, and fees shall be authorized by the State Cemetery Board and are available upon request and are
also posted on the bulletin board next to the chapel.

23. A single full lot may have a maximum of one regular adult burial and one cremation burial or a maximum of two
cremation burials.

24. Monuments for burial lots will be limited to one (1) upright monument/marker or stone with a flush marker at the
opposite end of the lot or two flush markers, one at each end of the lot.

25. Upright gravestone/markers are not allowed in CR or R Section. These section markers are to be flush ground.

26. Severe Weather Condition Burials. Graveside services may be delayed during severe weather to safely allow a
burial. Severe weather conditions include but not be limited to: ground freezing, ice/snow, mud, etc. This is done for
the safety of families, friends and others and to protect the Association from liability issues. Storage of remains may
be arranged through the chosen funeral director and funeral home. Winter burials are permitted in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York.

a) During the severe weather conditions, while burials may be permitted, there will be no graveside services allowed. This is done for the safety of families, friends and others and to protect the Association from liability issues.

b) If we proceed with the opening of the grave during the severe weather conditions, the standard rates posted on our current rate chart will apply; however, all extra costs will be billed to the plot owner. This cost may include but not limited to:1. Hiring of heavy-duty backhoe and operator. 2. Labor cost for snow and ice removal. 3. Plot owner will also be responsible for the cost of any spring cleanup such as filling in ruts and reseeding, if necessary, that were directly caused by the burial at your site and to other sites damaged as the result of your burial.

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~ These rules and regulations were amended by the Board of Trustees of the Groton Cemetery
Association November 20, 2025 and approved by the NYS Cemetery Board ~