WGC GUIDELINES
WALNUT GROVE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
CEMETERY GUIDELINES
FORWARD…
Walnut Grove Road is located off Pine Street 1.9 mile east of Hector, Arkansas. The road runs straight north toward Oak Mountain where we find Walnut Grove Cemetery spreading out over 9.2 acres.(October 7, 2018) The cemetery was established in 1898 for burial purposes by closely interrelated local families. For over a century it has been used by their descendants and other friends and relatives in the community and surrounding areas.
The Walnut Grove Cemetery Association was formed to collect funds and oversee the maintenance and care of the cemetery grounds. A Board elected by Association members at an annual meeting in May of each year currently manages ongoing cemetery operations.
All cemetery property is considered sacred ground devoted to the burial of our loved ones. A respectful atmosphere must be maintained at all times and all visitors are requested to assist the Board in maintaining the beauty and tranquility of this place.
The following guidelines govern the use and maintenance of the Walnut Grove Cemetery and may be altered, amended, or updated at any time by the Walnut Grove Cemetery Association.
ARTICLE I: GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. The privilege of burial in Walnut Grove Cemetery is primarily for families of descendants buried there, other friends and relatives in the surrounding communities, their descendants, and regular donors to the cemetery upkeep.
B. A fee schedule is listed at the end of this document.
C. Prior to interment ALL burials must be reported to the Walnut Grove Cemetery Board for record-keeping purposes and proper placement of the gravesite. Opening and closing of graves and collection of fees shall be overseen by the Walnut Grove Cemetery Board.
D. All fees or charges are payable prior to or at the time of grave opening in accordance with the fee schedule in effect at the time the service is performed. If needed, the fees and charges may be extended for a period of six months.
E. It shall be the sole responsibility of family members to maintain each gravesite.
F. Individuals shall only enter the cemetery through designated entrances and shall only use such authorized roads.
G. No animals are allowed in the cemetery.
H. No person shall be present on the cemetery grounds between dusk and dawn without reasonable cause or permission from the Board.
I No person shall be in possession of alcoholic beverages within the cemetery.
J. The fiscal year for Walnut Grove Cemetery Association shall be April 1–March 31.(March 1, 2020)
K. CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSE: Information requested by the burial party to remain Private will not be shared with anyone outside of the Walnut Grove Cemetery Board of Directors.(July 9, 2023)
ARTICLE II: LOTS AND GRAVES
A. Permission for burials in Walnut Grove Cemetery does not convey ownership or title to the land; it only declares burial rights to inter human remains within lot boundaries.
B. Use of graves and lots is governed by the Walnut Grove Cemetery Association. A member of the Board MUST be contacted to show lots that are available and to mark the proper location of the gravesite.
C. Each grave space (lot) in the cemetery shall be fifty four (54) inches by twelve (12) feet. At the foot of the grave, the last one (1) foot shall be designated as a walkway. It is important to stay within these boundaries. (Nov. 6, 2011)
D. The Walnut Grove Cemetery Board shall oversee all opening and closing of graves and shall collect any fees or charges in effect at the time of services.
E. Burial lots are purchased with provisions of perpetual care defined as regular cutting and trimming of grass.
F. Upkeep of all gravesites is the responsibility of family members.
G. Family Group Option–At the time of interment, additional plots may be reserved for a fee of $300 each. When each of these plots is used, a $200 cemetery maintenance fee will be due.(EXCEPTION: If the reserved plot is used immediately or within 6 months of the reserved date, the Cemetery Maintenance Fee of $200 will be waived.) Refer to Article X: Fee Schedule for additional information.(March 1, 2020)
H. When someone wishes to reserve a gravesite for future use, they MUST contact a member of the Board to see available lots according to the cemetery plot book. Lots may be reserved upon full payment of fees in effect at time of purchase. This fee is nonrefundable. A marker must be placed on the reserved gravesite(s). It is suggested to be approximately 3 ½” x 2 ¼” x 8”. (March 1, 2020) If no marker is placed on the gravesite within four (4) months, the gravesite is not considered reserved even if the fees were paid. (Nov. 6, 2011)
I. Reserved spaces no longer wanted or needed may be released back to the cemetery by notifying any Board member.
J. If, after a period of 50 years, the reserved space(s) have not been utilized by the person(s) for whom reserved, and the intent to use the space(s) is unknown, an attempt will be made by the Board to determine such intent. If there is no response or other confirmation of intent to use the space(s), the space(s) will revert back to the cemetery for use by others.
ARTICLE III: INTERMENTS, CREMATIONS, DISINTERMENTS
INTERMENTS
A. Interments are subject to the requirements of the Walnut Grove Cemetery Association and to the requirements of all state and local laws.
B. All expenses for interments will be the responsibility of family members according to the fee schedule in effect at the time of interment.
C. Only one interment per grave is permitted except for cremations.
CREMATIONS (February 3, 2019)
A. Walnut Grove Cemetery allows cremations and believes that cremated ashes should be respectfully buried.
B. For cremation spaces, no special vaults for urns are required. The cremains may simply be interred in the box provided by the funeral home. However, if desired, special urns are allowed. For these burials, the top of the container should be buried 18-24 inches below ground level.
C. Each grave space may have up to four cremated remains.
D. A cemetery board member must be contacted and given complete family records along with the physical date of each burial.
E. Our cemetery allows cremains to be buried at no charge on plots presently owned by a family member or an approving relative.
F. The first cremation in a plot may have your choice of monuments; however, additional cremations in that plot requires a flat monument be placed at ground level and in front of any other monument.
G. Ashes buried in a separate burial plot will have current fees applied. This gravesite must have an identifying marker in place.
DISINTERMENTS
A. No disinterment shall be made until all state and local laws pursuant to such matter are complied with.
B. Disinterment shall be under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director and the Walnut Grove Cemetery Association.
C. The person requesting access accepts responsibility for all disinterment costs including damage to adjacent graves or other property. Walnut Grove Cemetery Association requires payment for opening and closing prior to access.
D. In no way will Walnut Grove Cemetery Association be responsible for any costs involved in interments or disinterment.
ARTICLE IV: HEADSTONES AND MONUMENTS
A. The Walnut Grove Cemetery Association requires that each burial have a headstone or grave marker in place within two years of the burial. The family-chosen monument shall show the full name of the deceased with birth and death dates. (July 9, 2023) The Walnut Grove Cemetery Association is not responsible for procurement, placement, or repair of any monument, marker, headstone or such.
B. Only one upright monument is permitted on each grave site except flat monuments for cremations. (see above).
C. The Walnut Grove Cemetery Board takes great pride in the care of the cemetery but assumes no liability for loss or damage to headstones, markers, monuments and such, or decorations, fixtures, foundations or any other article caused by the elements, acts of God, thieves, vandals and such.
D. Anyone who damages any lot, tombstone, monument or other structure, or otherwise does any injury in the cemetery shall be personally responsible for all damages or injury.
E. No person shall destroy, deface or remove any monument, tree, shrub, or other objects connected to the cemetery or remove any object for the purpose of the memory of the person interred in the cemetery without prior approval.
F. No person shall sit, stand on, or perform any disrespectful act to a monument, grave marker or gravestone erected for the purpose of the memory of a person interred in the cemetery. Anyone caught defacing or damaging any tombstones, monuments, or other structures within the Walnut Grove Cemetery will be subject to prosecution to the full extent of the law.
G. If any monument, effigy, inscription, or structure is placed on any lot or portion thereof, be determined by the Board to be offensive, improper, or injurious to the surrounding grounds, the Board shall have the authority to order removal of the same by the owner or have it done at the owner’s expense.
H. It shall be the responsibility of family members to clean any headstones in the cemetery. The Walnut Grove Cemetery Association will not be responsible for such cleaning due to liability and possible damage to the headstones.(May 2, 2020)
ARTICLE V: DECORATIONS
A. Decorations are placed on graves at the owner’s risk. Walnut Grove Cemetery is not responsible for items that are lost. Any item faded, worn, or unsightly should be removed by the family or they may be subject to removal without prior notice.
B. A cemetery cleanup is scheduled in May each year shortly before Memorial Day.
C. Decoration Day is observed annually on the Sunday before Memorial Day. It is an opportunity for loved ones to gather as they decorate the graves of friends and family. It includes a program in the pavilion with special speakers and singers. It is also a great time to give to the cemetery fund for upkeep of the cemetery. The Walnut Grove Cemetery Association conducts their annual meeting at this time.
ARTICLE VI: FLOWERS, FLAGS, ADORNMENTS, TREES AND SHRUBS (October 7, 2018)
A. Fresh and artificial arrangements may be placed on graves at any time. All arrangements must be anchored and shall not interfere with normal mowing and trimming.
B. No glass containers of any type allowed, as these present a hazard if broken to visitors and cemetery workers.
C. Family members shall be responsible for removal of any flowers or arrangements as needed. Any unsightly arrangements are subject to removal without notice. In preparation for spring cleanup and mowing, all grave flowers will be removed on the first Saturday in April. If you wish to keep any grave flowers, please remove them by that date. Flowers on the headstone or on a hook do not affect mowing so they can remain.
D. Nothing is to be placed in front of a monument. All flowers and such shall be placed on the grave side of the monument.
E. Prior approval by the Board must be obtained for the planting of new trees, shrubs, or flowers in the cemetery. Unapproved plantings are subject to removal without notice.
F. The Walnut Grove Cemetery Board shall not be held responsible for damage to any trees, shrubs, or flowers
G. The Board shall have the right and it shall be their duty, to remove any trees or shrubs or part thereof on any cemetery lot if it is dangerous, inconvenient or detrimental to other lots, persons, or work crews in the cemetery.
H. Flower beds and planting of borders around cemetery lots is prohibited.
I. In order to maintain a neat appearance throughout the cemetery, the Board may direct ground crews to remove or mow over existing flower beds, which become unsightly through lack of care.
J. No new fences, hedges, curbs or enclosures of any type are permitted on any burial plot. These items prevent proper mowing of the grass and are subject to removal by cemetery personnel. Enclosures in existence prior to 2011 will remain in place as long as they are properly maintained. The Walnut Grove Cemetery Association is not responsible for maintenance of such enclosures.
K. No large urns or potted plant containers may be permitted to block the path of the mowing equipment. If this occurs, the container is subject to removal from the gravesite.
L. It is the policy of the Walnut Grove Cemetery Association that a veteran, living or deceased, in any branch of service, will be recognized with the placement of a U.S. flag, if there is an identifying gravestone in place. (October 7, 2018)
ARTICLE VII: MAINTENANCE FUND
A. Maintenance and care of Walnut Grove Cemetery is funded by contributions of family members and loved ones of those buried there, fees charged at grave opening, and income from invested funds. Contributions are essential and welcomed.
B. Expenditures for maintenance and care are subject to the usual and customary control of the Walnut Grove Cemetery Association and its duly authorized representatives.
C. Donations are accepted at any time and are especially encouraged on Decoration Day at the cemetery. We suggest a donation of $25 or more each year.
D. An annual report by the Walnut Grove Cemetery Association will be given at the Decoration in May.
ARTICLE VIII: MEMORIALS AND GIFTS
A. Honor the memory of a loved one or celebrate a special occasion (Birthday or Anniversary) of a family member or friend by offering a tribute in their name.
B. To make a memorial gift, please write: Walnut Grove Cemetery, P.O. Box 125, Hector, AR 72843
C. Remember to add Walnut Grove Cemetery to your will and estate planning.
D. Your donations are tax deductible and receipts will be given.
ARTICLE IX: COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS
A. Any person having occasion to make a complaint or request related to these guidelines shall make it in writing to any board member of the Walnut Grove Cemetery Association.
ARTICLE X. FEE SCHEDULE (Effective September 9, 2019)
RESERVED PLOT FEE $300 (Reserved for immediate use or future use)
When a plot is reserved for immediate or future use the fee is $300. At the time of interment a $200 cemetery maintenance fee is due. The fee is in addition to any reserved fee paid previously. (EXCEPTION: If the reserved plot is used immediately or within 6 months of the reserved date the Cemetery Maintenance Fee of $200 will be waived)
Family Group Option–At the time of interment, additional plots may be reserved for a fee of $300 each. When each of these plots is used, a $200 cemetery maintenance fee will be due.(EXCEPTION: If the reserved plot is used immediately or within 6 months of the reserved date, the Cemetery Maintenance Fee of $200 will be waived)
Cemetery plots may be reserved for a fee of $300 each. When each of these plots is used, a $200 cemetery maintenance fee will be due. (EXCEPTION: If the reserved plot is used within 6 months of the reserved date, the Cemetery Maintenance Fee of $200 will be waived)
B. CEMETERY MAINTENANCE FEE $200
The $200 cemetery maintenance fee will be due at the time of plot use for all reserved plots. (EXCEPTION: If the reserved plot is used immediately or within 6 months of the reserved date, the Cemetery Maintenance Fee of $200 will be waived)
C. This fee schedule is in effect for interment, disinterment and cremation when a cemetery plot is used.
D. All fees collected are nonrefundable and will be placed in the Walnut Grove Cemetery Fund.
WALNUT GROVE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION January 1, 2011
Amended November 6, 2011 as shown in Article II, Section C, Amended November 6, 2011 as shown in Article II, Section H, Amended June 23, 2013 as shown in Article II, Section G, Amended October 7, 2018 as shown in
Article VI, Section L, Amended February 3, 2019 as shown in Article III, Amended September 9, 2019 as shown in Article X
Article I, Section I, Amended March 1, 2020, Article II, Section G, H, Amended March 1, 2020 Article IV, Section H, Amended May 2, 2020, Article I, General Provisions, Section K added July 9, 2023, Article IV, Section A Amended July 9, 2023.
