Chapter 13.12
INTERMENTS AND DISINTERMENTS
Sections:
13.12.040 Human remains only – Days excluded – Emergency provisions.
13.12.060 Double use of graves.
13.12.070 Consent for disinterment.
13.12.080 Proof of lot ownership – Transfer – Resale.
13.12.090 Control of funerals.
13.12.100 Opening and closing graves.
13.12.110 Liner or vault required.
13.12.120 Sodding and seeding.
13.12.130 Repealed.
13.12.010 Payment.
All lots are to be purchased through the office of the parks and recreation director or the director’s designee. No lots, tracts, or grave space shall be occupied for burial purposes until the same has been paid for in full. (Ord. 2735 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1192 § 4(a), 1953).
13.12.020 Schedule of prices.
The schedule of prices of all lots, blocks, tracts, parcels of land, or cemetery services in the platted portion of said cemetery property shall be fixed and adopted by resolution of the city council and filed in the office of the city clerk. The schedule of prices may be changed or altered by like resolution of the city council, from time to time, as in its judgment may be necessary or proper. No lots, tracts, or grave spaces shall be sold, or disposed of, for less than the price named in such schedule which may be in force at the time of such sale or disposal. (Ord. 2735 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1192 § 4(b), 1953).
13.12.030 Advance notice.
When interments or disinterments must be made, notice shall be given in advance to the cemetery employees so as to have no less than eight hours of daylight in order to properly prepare the grave. Burial permits shall be administered in accordance with the laws of the state of Washington. No burial shall take place without the proper permit having first been obtained and presented to the proper city employee or designee. (Ord. 2735 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1192 § 4(c), 1953).
13.12.040 Human remains only – Days excluded – Emergency provisions.
Lots are sold for the burial of human remains only. Interments or disinterments shall be permitted at such days and hours as reflected on a written schedule issued by the parks and recreation director. The schedule of cemetery availability shall be maintained at the office of the director of parks and recreation and shall be available for public inspection and copying during regular city business hours. Interments or disinterments may be permitted on Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays subject to the prior written approval and subject to any special conditions deemed necessary by the director or the director’s designee. An extra expense brought about by reason of burial or disinterment on Saturdays, Sundays or legal holidays will be assessed in an amount as stated in the cemetery fee schedule. (Ord. 2735 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1192 § 4(d), 1953).
13.12.050 Grave position.
When an interment is to be made, the exact position of the grave must be designated and this order must be given in person, in writing, or by the funeral director. (Ord. 2735 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1192 § 4(e), 1953).
13.12.060 Double use of graves.
The cremated remains of two persons may be placed in one adult gravesite, or the cremated remains of one person can be placed in the same adult gravesite where a casket burial has taken place or is contemplated to take place; provided, however, that in each of these cases only one grave marker shall be allowed for such a grave. Double depth graves are permitted in designated areas provided the proper liner or vault devices are utilized. (Ord. 2735 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1745 § 1, 1978).
13.12.070 Consent for disinterment.
No disinterment will be allowed without the written consent of one of the following in the order named: the surviving spouse; the surviving children of the decedent; the surviving parents of the decedent; the surviving brothers or sisters of the decedent. Where written consent is not obtained, permission or order by the superior court of Pierce County will be sufficient, provided such permission shall not violate the terms of a written contract or the rules and regulations established for Woodbine Cemetery. (Ord. 2735 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1192 § 4(g), 1953).
13.12.080 Proof of lot ownership – Transfer – Resale.
On the death of any owner of lots in the cemetery, the heirs or assigns or devisees of such decedent must, if required, furnish to and file with the city satisfactory proof of their ownership, and all such papers shall remain with the city. Without such proof ownership of such lot cannot be recognized by the city. No transfer of any lot or interest therein will be valid without the consent of the city first being had and endorsed upon such transfer and the same will have been endorsed on the books of the city. A purchaser or lot owner may permit an interment of one not a member of his or her family, but an heir may not give such permission without the unanimous consent of all the lot owners. No cemetery lot, tract, or grave space purchased from the city shall be resold to any person, firm or corporation other than the city. The city will, upon written application, return the purchase price of any lot, tract, or grave space at the price originally charged by the city. (Ord. 2735 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1192 § 4(h), 1953).
13.12.090 Control of funerals.
Funerals while within the grounds shall be under the control of the parks and recreation director or the director’s designee. (Ord. 2735 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1192 § 4(i), 1953).
13.12.100 Opening and closing graves.
All graves shall be opened and closed by city employees. A charge, payable in advance, shall be made for each opening and closing. (Ord. 2735 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1192 § 4(i), 1953).
13.12.110 Liner or vault required.
No interments will be permitted in the cemetery without a reinforced concrete liner or approved type of metal or concrete burial vault. (Ord. 2735 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1192 § 4(k), 1953).
13.12.120 Sodding and seeding.
All graves will be sodded and seeded by the city without charge to the lot owners when the grave shall have thoroughly settled and have been made level with the surface of the surrounding lawn. (Ord. 2735 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1192 § 4(l), 1953).
13.12.130 Potters field.
Repealed by Ord. 2735. (Ord. 1192 § 4(m), 1953).