Memorial Park Rules & Regulations

Congregation Beth-El Zedeck Memorial Park is a place of holiness and sacred remembrance. In order to maintain its appropriate role in the life of the congregation and families, the following rules and regulations have been adopted for the mutual benefit and protection of all holders of burial rights in Congregation Beth-El Zedeck Memorial Park. Holders of burial rights, Congregation members and visitors, shall be governed by the following rules and regulations and subsequent amendments or modifications thereof:

1. Members of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in good standing are entitled to acquire burial rights for themselves, spouse and unmarried children at the member’s price approved by the Board of Directors. A non-Jewish spouse or child may be buried next to his/her Jewish spouse or parent. All Jewish non-members who wish to purchase graves may do so at a non-member price set forth by the Board of Directors. The price of purchase includes perpetual care.
   
   
2. No monuments or stone markers of any kind shall be permitted on the graves. Individual or double graves must be identified by bronze plaques set on a granite base. Markers will be set flush with the ground at the head of each interment site. All single markers shall be 24” x 13” affixed to a granite base of 28” x 17”; all double markers shall be 44” x 13” affixed to a granite backer of 48” x 17”. Markers are Matthew’s bronze on Canadian mahogany granite; there are four approved designs for markers. All markers shall include the Hebrew name and Hebrew date of death in Hebrew letters. It is advised that markers be added to your homeowner’s policy.
   
   
3. In order to maintain uniformity and standards in the Memorial Park, plaques and bases may only be purchased from and installed by the Congregation through its contractual arrangement with Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Mortuary. Pricing will be reasonable and based on average charges for such work.
   
   
4. All graves must be level with the surrounding ground. No mounded graves will be permitted. Grass seed will be spread on newly-dug graves twice.
   
   
5. All necessary grading, landscaping and care of lots, including the planting, trimming, removing and upkeep of all grass, trees, shrubs and flora of every kind, shall be done only by Congregation Beth-El Zedeck through its contractual arrangements. Grass in the cemetery is not irrigated; there are some areas in the cemetery where grass will not grow.
   
   
6. No holder of burial rights or any other person shall plant any trees, flowers, shrubbery or flora of any kind on or about any grave, and the officials and authorized employees of the Beth-El Zedeck contracted company shall have the right at any and all times to enter and remove any such planting or any other objectionable matter or thing placed in or about the lots or graves. Bouquets of cut flowers may be placed on graves in appropriate containers that can be purchased from the monument supplier. These vases must be set apart from the bronze marker; but are also set in matching granite to the bronze marker. No potted plants may be used for grave decoration. Bouquets will be removed when they have become wilted or unsightly.
   
   
7. Opening and closing of the graves shall be under the general supervision of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck or its representatives.
   
   
8. A certificate of Burial Rights will be issued to any purchases of burial sites.
   
   
9. No interments or visitations will be permitted on the Sabbath, on the first and last days of the Festivals and on the High Holy Days.
   
   
10. No interments shall be permitted unless a burial permit has been obtained from the appropriate civic authorities and complete information is given to Congregation Beth-El Zedeck for the purpose of complying with existing laws.
    
    
11. The casket used in every interment shall be enclosed in a vault or reinforced concrete box, the installation of which shall be under the general supervision of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck and its representatives.
    
    
12. Each interment shall be identified with a temporary grave marker pending the installation of the permanent plaque. Such temporary identification shall be allowed to remain for a limited period until a bronze plaque with granite base has been installed.
    
    
13. Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, or its representatives, will maintain the property at all times. Due to this maintenance, normal wear and tear of the markers is to be expected. This normal wear and tear is the responsibility of the grave owner and will not be assumed by Congregation Beth-El Zedeck or its representatives.
    
    
14. The graveside service shall be conducted in keeping with the Jewish faith as interpreted by the Rabbi of the Congregation or the religious official acting in his/her stead.
    
    
15. Congregation Beth-El Zedeck reserves the right to require not less than twenty-four hours’ notice before any interment. The date and time of the funeral service and interment shall be determined by the Rabbi of the Congregation or the religious official acting in his/her stead in consultation with the family and the Funeral Director.
    
    
16. No person, except representatives of the Congregation, shall be allowed on the Memorial Park premises except during daylight hours.
    
    
17. Pets shall not be allowed in the Memorial Park, with the exception of certified service animals.
    
    
18. Transfer of burial rights shall be limited to persons eligible for interment under the rules and regulations.
    
    
19. All transfer of burial rights shall be on Congregation Beth-El Zedeck approved forms, and no transfer of burial rights shall be binding on Congregation Beth-El Zedeck unless approved by Congregation Beth- El Zedeck and until properly entered on Congregation Beth-El Zedeck records.
    
    
20. In case of indigence, Congregation Beth-El Zedeck shall have the responsibility and the right to allocate graves and permit burial as it may deem appropriate and necessary.
    
    
21. The synagogue does not waive its authority over ownership of lots in the cemeteries by selling burial rights. The congregation, for good and sufficient reason, retains right of refusal of interment.
    
    
22. The Congregation shall have, at all times, jurisdiction and authority over the Memorial Park, and shall have the right to alter, modify and amend the rules and regulation thereof.

Revised December 2021