POLICIES, RULES & REGULATIONS

This document is designed to be informational guidance and direction to the purpose and use of the Ajo Community Cemetery. We have tried to cover areas that concern individuals seeking a plot for internment in this cemetery. If your questions are not answered here on these pages, please contact the Ajo Community Cemetery (ACA) for clarification.

PURPOSE:

The goal of the (ACA) is to provide a designated lot for deceased persons who were born, lived, or owned property in the Ajo area. The cemetery is getting full which requires the applying of these standards. If the burial does not meet these requirements, a request with justification must be submitted to the (ACA) and approved before the burial is considered. There is a minimum of three days to submit consideration for approval.

A burial lot cannot be used for any purpose other than a place of burial for a deceased person or the memorial of a deceased person.

Ajo Cemetery does not allow the burial of any other types of remains, such as animals.

INTERNMENT:

Interment will be made only with a written permit (Certificate of Internment) such as the ACA (Opening Order Form)

All burial arrangements for bodily remains must be made through a Funeral Director who will in turn liaise with the ACA.

Interment of cremated remains can be arranged directly with the ACA. 

CERTIFICATE OF RIGHT OF INTERNMENT:

Because the cemetery is running out of space, we are limiting each family to four lots for a full burial. Any additional lots are to be reviewed and approved by the ACA.

The ACA reserves the right to receive at least 48 hours’ notice before internment.

An Opening Order Form must be obtained from the ACA prior to the internment of an individual(s). Such certificates may also be obtained to reserve a lot for a later date of use.

The requirements for an individual seeking to obtain an Open Order Form are as follows:

• Provide an Affidavit Directing      Internment (Death Certificate) from the appropriate legal source, Ajo      Cemetery is not responsible for providing this.
• Fill out the Certificate of Right      of Internment (Opening Order form).
• Make a payment of $150 of which      $50 is refundable after the cleanup of the internment site has been      completed.

NO ONE SHALL BE INTERNED IN A LOT UNTIL THE ACA HAS RECEIVED THE PROPER AFFIDAVIT DIRECTING INTERMENT

LOT OWNERSHIP INTEREST:

The person in whose name the Certificate of Rights of Internment was issued is considered the Owner of the lot outlined on the certificate.

The ownership interest in a cemetery lot consists of the right of internment in said lot. The lot can be used for no other purpose and cannot be divided. (EXPLANATION such as using two lots to make a bigger space for a headstone, ramada, or bench).

Should a lot holder die without a devisee or any known next of kin, the lot shall revert to the Ajo Cemetery.

Every lot shall be subject to the rules, regulations, conditions, and restrictions imposed by the ACA.

The Open Order Form and the Cemetery Rules and regulations of the ACA and any amendments thereto shall be the sole agreement between the ACA and the owner of the lot certificate.

Rights of Internment in the Ajo Cemetery shall not be subject to attachments, garnishments, creditor claims, or executions to satisfy debts, obligations, or torts of any owner thereof.

 

DISINTERMENT:

Disinterment may be made under Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS 36-327). If a state permit or court order is not required, the (ACA) shall require completion of a request for disinterment. The party requesting the disinterment shall pay for a Licensed contractor to do the removal and is responsible for any damage and repair to any other sites during the removal process. The (ACA) is harmless from any liability claim or demand arising therefrom.

Should any damage occur during disinterment to the monument, plot, curbing, or slab being worked on or any other monument, plot, curbing, or slab in the cemetery in relation to the works being carried out it is the responsibility of the contractor or responsible person to undertake all reparations works and cost thereof.

DISINTERMENT NOTIFICATION:

The Ajo Cemetery Board reserves the right to receive at least five days' notice prior to disinterment. The (ACA) reserves the right to have (ACA) members present during the disinterment.

GENERAL CEMETERY RULES:

The following is a list of General Rules & Regulations that apply to everyone accessing the cemetery. This includes but is not limited to the general public, people performing work such as Funeral Directors and employees, Monument Masons, contractors, and volunteers.

CEMETERY HOURS:

Cemetery hours shall be from sunrise to sunset and shall be closed at all other times. With the exception of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (Dia De Los Muertos) on November 1 & 2. On these days the cemetery will be open from midnight til 2:00 a.m. for (religious purposes only).

A PERSON MAY NOT:

• · DAMAGE, DEFACE, OR INTERFERE WITH BURIAL LOTS AND MONUMENTS
• · BURY, INTER, OR EXHUME ANY HUMAN REMAINS, WHETHER CREMATED OR NOT WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE (ACA).
• · BRING ANY ANIMALS ONTO AJO CEMETERY PROPERTY.
• · PARK ANY VEHICLE ON ANY KNOWN BURIAL LOT, OR IN A MANNER IN WHICH IT IS LIKELY TO IMPEDE TRAFFIC.
• · PLANT ANY TREE, SHRUB, HERBAGE, OR OTHER VEGETATION WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT OF THE (ACA).
• · ANY MOTOR VEHICLES SHALL BE DRIVEN ONLY UPON DESIGNATED ROADS WITHIN THE CEMETERY. MAXIMUM SPEED IS TO BE KEPT 5 MILES OR LESS PER HOUR AT ALL TIMES.
• · BE RESPECTFUL OF ALL BURIAL LOTS, LOT MARKERS AND LANDSCAPING AT ALL TIMES

NOTE:

(ACA) may from time to time lay out or alter any avenue of walks in the cemetery, change the layout of cemetery lots not already sold, and reserves the right to make changes or make such rules and regulations that are required to efficiently operate the cemetery.

INTERRED OT POLICIES:

(ACA) allows for only one casket or vault to be interred per lot. No stacking of caskets or vaults allowed.

Above-ground vaults shall not be allowed, either partially or entirely above ground.

One (1) casket and four (4) cremation containers per burial lot are acceptable.

Up to four (4) interment of cremation remains per burial lot is acceptable.

LOT CURBING, SLABS, HEADSTONES & LANDSCAPING:

Single lot size is 10-foot-long x 5-foot-wide.  Slab and curbing are not to exceed the size of the lot.

Double lot size is 10-foot-long x 10-foot-wide. Slab and curbing are not to exceed the size of the lot.

Cremation remains are required to be placed (2) feet deep. A 2-foot-deep x 2-foot-wide x 2-foot-long pit is to be dug to hold the container of ashes.

Because of water flow issues, lot curbing and slabs shall be no higher than 12 inches above the existing ground level.

All curbing slabs and memorial headstones must remain in the lot it was intended, not to protrude beyond the lot size.

All headstones are required to have a solid foundation of mason work.

THE AJO CEMETERY BOARD HAS THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY CURBING, SLABS, BENCHES, RAMADA, OR HEADSTONES THAT EXTEND PAST THE LOT IN WHICH IT WAS INTENDED.

New grave sites without a headstone are to be identified with a legible marker furnished by the mortuary or family.

Trees, shrubs, or any other vegetation are not permitted to be planted in the Ajo Cemetery and may be removed by the (ACA) sole discretion.

ARRANGEMENTS, CONTAINERS & DECORATIONS:

Cleaning of the gravesites is the responsibility of family and friends of the deceased not of the (ACA). The (ACA) provides trash trailers for the old arrangements, decorations, and old vegetation to be deposited into. Any dirt, rock, and other digging debris are to be removed from the gravesite and hauled away by the persons cleaning the site.

VOLUNTEERS:

(ACA) recognizes, supports, and values the important role of volunteers in the community. All volunteers are the backbone of the cleaning and maintenance of the Ajo Cemetery. The (ACA) will conduct community cleanup days as needed. Any individual, group, or organization is encouraged to adopt an area of the cemetery to clean.

Any groups or organizations wishing to undertake works within the cemetery are required to apply to the board and be approved and authorized as volunteers with an agreement to adhere strictly to the rules, regulations, and policies of the Ajo Cemetery.

QUESTIONS & CONCERNS:

All questions and concerns regarding cemetery lots, services, and burials shall be directed to the Ajo Cemetery Association. Appropriate arrangements for weekend or holiday needs must be made in advance.