General Rules for Grounds and Plots

Vehicle Operation

• Speed Limit: Please drive respectfully and adhere to the 10 MPH speed limit.

• Pedestrian Safety: Watch for pedestrians at all times.

• Designated Roadways: Vehicles are permitted only on designated, maintained roadways.

• Recreational Vehicles: Unlicensed recreational vehicles are not allowed on the property.

Thank you for helping us ensure a safe and pleasant experience for all visitors.

Not Permitted

• No Alcohol: Alcohol consumption or storage on the grounds is prohibited.

• No Glass or Ceramic Decorations: Glass or ceramic items are not allowed as decorations.

• No Decorative Stones: Decorative stones are not permitted.

• No Woodchips or Mulch: Woodchips and mulch are not allowed.

• No Shepherd Hooks or Hanging Baskets: Shepherd hooks and hanging baskets are not permitted.

• No Edging, Borders, or Fencing: Edging, borders, or fencing around graves are not allowed.

• No Flagpoles, Benches, or Statues: Flagpoles, benches, and statues are not permitted.

• No Ground Planting: Planting of shrubs, trees, or other vegetation on the grounds is prohibited.

• Pets: All pets must be leashed and controlled at all times.

Thank you for helping us maintain the beauty and serenity of our cemetery.

Memorialization

• Monument Purchase: Monuments and markers must be purchased privately from a local licensed monument dealer.

• Size Restrictions: Monument widths are restricted based on plot size and may not exceed 6 feet in height.

• Installation: All monuments and markers must be installed by a licensed dealer after receiving approval from the cemetery superintendent.

• Design Standards: All memorials, including stones, monuments, and markers, must be spiritual and reverent, aligning with the existing memorials in the cemetery. The Wallkill Valley Cemetery reserves the right to remove any inscription or monument deemed non-reverent, offensive, or inappropriate by the Board.

• Payment Requirement: Monuments or grave markers will not be permitted on grave sites where the purchase price has not been fully paid.

• Flush/Flat Markers: Flush or flat markers must be a minimum of 2 feet by 1 foot in size.

• Foundation Requirements: All monuments and markers must be set on concrete foundations, which must be purchased by the family and installed by the cemetery or an authorized monument company.

• Tree and Shrub Maintenance: The cemetery staff has the authority to remove trees or shrubs whose roots or branches interfere with the use or enjoyment of grave sites. This includes removal of such vegetation that affects maintenance or use of other grave sites, following due notice to the plot owner (New York State Cemetery Law Manual - 1510 (G)).

• Planting Restrictions: No trees or shrubs may be planted by plot owners. Flower planting is allowed along the base of a monument in a cut-out bed not to exceed 12 inches from the base. Chairs, benches, copings, enclosures, and glass vases or jars are not permitted and will be removed by the cemetery without notice.

Thank you for adhering to these guidelines to help us maintain the dignity and beauty of our cemetery.

Interment

Decorations

• Decoration Placement: Decorations must not extend more than 12 inches from the front of the headstone or monument.

• No Rear Placement: Items cannot be placed at the back of the headstone or monument.

• No Footstone Decorations: Decorations may not be placed at footstones.

• Height Restrictions: Decorations must not exceed the height of the existing monument.

• Seasonal Removal: Winter decorations will be removed by the cemetery by March 15th. Summer decorations will be removed by November 15th. Memorial Day flags placed by organizations will be removed by the cemetery following July 4th.

• Decoration Retrieval: Please remove any decorations you wish to keep before the specified removal dates.

• Cemetery Authority: The cemetery reserves the right to remove any decorations that violate these rules or are deemed inappropriate, unsightly, or hazardous to maintenance, in accordance with New York State law.

• Compliance with Laws: All grave sites are subject to the laws of the State of New York, the regulations of the New York State Division of Cemeteries, and the rules of the Wallkill Valley Cemetery. Graves are designated solely for the burial of deceased individuals.

• Record Maintenance: Wallkill Valley Cemetery maintains official records of all plot owners at its designated office. Plot owners are responsible for notifying the cemetery of any changes to their mailing address. Notices sent to the last registered address will be considered valid and proper legal notification.

• Transfer of Ownership: The transfer of ownership for any plot or grave must be completed using forms approved by the cemetery and in accordance with New York State Not-For-Profit Corporation Law and regulations of the New York State Cemetery Board. Transfers are not valid until approved and recorded by the cemetery.

• Interment Limits: In a single burial space, where permitted, only one full casket interment and one interment of cremated remains or two interments of cremated remains are allowed. The cemetery may restrict the number of interments if space for memorialization is insufficient.

• Prohibition on Scattering: Scattering or commingling of cremated remains on a plot or grave is strictly prohibited.

• Vault and Liner Requirements: Concrete vaults or concrete grave liners are required for all graves purchased on or after June 1, 1999, in compliance with New York State Cemetery Board Directive 201.6.

Thank you for adhering to these guidelines, which help us maintain the integrity and respect of our cemetery.