Mt. Rest Cemetery

Rules of Interest

The cemetery is open for normal business and visitors from sun up to sun down, year ‘round. Walking and bicycling is permitted and encouraged as long as users conduct themselves with respect. Children are not allowed to play or ride bikes in the cemetery
without supervision. If cemetery plot markers are removed a fine of $250.00 will be assessed. Monuments and headstones must be at the head of grave, unless other permission is granted by Cemetery Grounds Committee or Sexton.

All foundations for monuments, headstones or urns must be built enough larger than the base of stone to allow mowing around the object so trimming will not be necessary. All foundations will be sold and installed by authorized cemetery staff at the regular rate charges set by the Grounds Committee. Monuments on one-grave lot shall not
exceed three feet in length in new section. Monuments on two-grave lots shall not
exceed five feet in length leaving one foot on each side for mowing between monuments.
This applies to New Section where one lot is three and a half feet and two lots is seven
feet. In Old Section, where one-grave lot is three feet, the monument cannot exceed thirty
inches. Monuments on two-graves lot are six feet, limited to four feet for the same reason.
Several headstones can be set on one long foundation which will eliminate grass and
weeds between the headstones and make a place for setting flowerpots, if desired. Oneplot
old 30” Headstones, New 36” Headstones.

All monuments will be set only with the approval of the Sexton or Grounds Committee
and should face the same direction as other monuments in the same section.
Flat or surface markers will be allowed in any part of cemetery, but must have the same
foundations as other types of monuments. Retail monument dealers must have permit
from Sexton to put monuments in cemetery and to secure this, must agree to furnish only
first grade stone, according to monument manufacturing company standards.
No coping, curbing, fencing, hedging, borders or enclosures of any kind will be
permitted around any grave or burial lots, without approval of Sexton.
Cemetery ground caretakers will provide dirt and fill any sunken graves and seed them when needed.

Letter cutters and monument cleaners must get permit from Sexton before they can work
on grounds.

On irregular lots special permits for setting monuments may be secured from the Sexton.
Vaults are required for burial. No rose bushes can be set in ground but
may be set in pot on grave so that they may be removed for mowing and taken up in the
winter by owner of burial lot. All planting of evergreens and small trees must have
permission of Sexton or Grounds Committee. 

No large growing evergreens will be permitted as they soon outgrow the lot and
trespass on the next lot and such trespass will be cut down or trimmed by Sexton without
permission from lot owner. All planting on lots will be trimmed when necessary by the
order of Sexton without owner’s permission in order to keep the cemetery looking nice. Any
old or dead and unsightly shrubs or trees will be removed by Sexton and caretakers without
permission of lot owner.

No flowers can be left on lots in glass containers because they might get broken
and cause trouble with mowers and might endanger the mower or someone standing
near. Only glass containers can be use in the Mausoleum as metal dishes rust and stain
the marble fronts. Wreaths used in the Mausoleum must be set on something that
will absorb moisture so color from crepe paper will not stain the marble.

The cemetery is not responsible for any decoration put on plot or headstone.
Flowers planted on the grave must not be planted more than one foot from the marker
or stone monument and never in rows down the center of lot. We urge the use of urns
and same will be set on cement foundation so it can be mowed without moving the urn.

All winter wreaths and evergreen coverings and grave blankets will be
permitted, but same must be removed not later than March 15th, according to weather
conditions. After this date the Sexton and caretakers will remove and destroy them so
they can begin the planting, mowing and cleaning of the cemetery.

Artificial Flowers
Artificial flowers will be allowed any time of the year in the Mausoleum and cemetery.
Artificial winter wreaths or artificial flowers may be used during winter months but must
be removed before March 15th. Otherwise, weather permitting, the caretakers will
remove same and take to the waste pile or dump.

Artificial wreaths will not be allowed at any time in the Mausoleum. This includes
any type of flowers made up in a piece and wired with crepe paper back. Such pieces
become wet and color stains the marble.

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Artificial flowers in glass vases will be allowed in Mausoleum and such flowers
must be set in sand or some other material so they will keep in an upright condition at all
times. Such flowers will be removed by caretakers if they become faded or unsightly.

Artificial flowers will be allowed on graves in cemetery only if placed in metal vases and
placed on each side of headstone or monument or directly in front of headstone
or monument within 12 inches of the stone. They must not be placed in a line along the
grave from head to foot. All such flowers must be in sand or some other material
which will keep them upright. In case same becomes unsightly or broken, they will be
removed by the caretakers. 

Always see Sexton before planting any flowers or trees or shrubs on the lots. He will
tell you the type and size that may be used and where they must be placed on the lot.
If you use urns we request that you see that the urns are watered each week of the
summer months and if flowers die in urns for want of watering, the caretakers may remove
the dead flowers from the urn.

We have approximately 60 acres to mow, rake and provide care and maintenance, and
also provide burial services as needed. Kindly help us in keeping the Mt. Rest
Cemetery grounds as beautiful as possible by following the rules and guidelines set up
by the association. Please contact Sexton for any needed clarifications to these ground
rules.

Thank you,
St. Johns Cemetery Association
Board of Directors