UNION TOWNSHIP, MIAMI COUNTY                                                 Revised May 27, 2008

The existing rules for cemeteries and burials in Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, are as follows:

1.      All cemeteries close at dark.

2.      DECORATIONS:

a)      All decorations should be clear of cemetery maintenance.

b)      All artificial, unsightly, and dead flowers and grave decorations must be removed from the grave by March 1^st. No new flowers are to be placed until after April 1 to allow for spring clean up. 

c)      No glass, ceramic, or other breakable containers are permitted in Union Township Cemeteries. 

d)     No planting of anything that grows from root, vine, bulb, or seed.

e)      Shepherd poles are not to exceed two tiers, must be placed beside or in the foundation, and shall not extend beyond the foundation. There is to be only one (1) pole per monument.

f)       Any Holiday decorations, which do not sit on the monument or foundation, must be removed within 10 days following any Government or Religious Holiday or they will be discarded.

g)      No winter grave blankets are to be placed until after the Thanksgiving Holiday to allow for winter preparation in the cemeteries.

h)      Prior Union Township approval must be granted to place stepping stones, concrete statues, or crosses.

i)        All flower saddles must have grave names on them in the event they are blown off by wind.

j)        Union Township is not responsible for items placed on any grave lot.

3.      Graves will be held 60 days with a deposit of $10.00 per grave if purchaser is a township resident. If purchaser does not live in the township, the deposit is $50.00 per grave. If payment is not received during the 60-day period, the deposit will be refunded and the grave will be available for sale.

4.      All burials must have a vault of adequate structure to support fill and cemetery equipment. Non-reinforced fiberglass vaults are not acceptable.

5.      “Wilbert Way” type of burial set-up is not permitted in any Union Township Cemetery.

6.      All burials in Union Township must be in one of the public cemeteries or in a well-established private or family cemetery.

7.      Union township must be notified by noon on Friday for a Monday a.m. (or Tuesday a.m. burial after a holiday falls on a Monday) burial or the Saturday rate will apply.

8.      No burials after 4 pm Monday – Friday and No burials after 2 pm Saturdays.

9.      No burials on Sundays or holidays.

10.  The grave on which a burial is taking place must be paid for prior to the time of the burial.

11.  Burial Fee must be paid for prior to the time of burial.

12.  Burial permit must be given to the township personnel prior to the time of burial.

13.  Indigent Burials – See Indigent Cremation Policy and Procedure per Resolution No. 06-27

14.  All stones must have a foundation. Foundation orders placed by monument companies must be paid for prior to stone being set; all other foundation orders must be prepaid.

15.  Graves must be paid for prior to the time of foundation pouring.

16.  No stone or cement ledger monuments permitted.

17.  Union Township crews must pour all foundations and reserves the right to join foundations.

18.  Foundations will be poured April through September - weather permitting. See Foundation Schedule.

19.  All stones shall be facing east west to allow for cemetery maintenance.

20.  Foundations will not be poured that are longer than the width of the grave or graves owned by the individual.                                  

21.  Foundations will not be poured whose width will later obstruct the installation of a vault, either on that grave or on surrounding graves.

22.  Union Township is not responsible for weather related stone damage.

23.  Policy on Repair or Replacement of Damaged Tombstones - When a tombstone(s) has been damaged by a specific occurrence, and the family cannot be contacted to arrange for repair or replacement, the trustees will determine the cost of repairs, and if that cost exceeds the cost of a (10” to 12” x 20” to 24” x 4”) grasser monument, then the township will install a grasser(s).

24.  Foundations for veterans’ plaques will be provided and installed free of charge. Note:  Plaques to be installed on the back of a monument must be handled by a monument company and cost is the responsibility of the party having the plaque installed.

25.  Transfers in ownership of unused cemetery graves will be valid only when recorded by the clerk in the township’s cemetery deed books. Transfers of ownership may be made between relatives or non-relatives, residents or non-residents of Union Township, at a price, which may not exceed the original purchase price. Unused graves may be sold back to the township at the price they were purchased; these will be resold by the township at the current price. Since Union Township Trustees have no records of the cemetery prior to the township owning the cemetery, we are unable to guarantee no human remains are buried there. If remains are discovered while preparing the grave(s) for burial, it will be your responsibility to purchase additional grave(s), if needed. 

26.  Schedule of fees - See Cemetery Rates. 

27.  Fee Requirements - The following fee requirements shall apply with regard to the issuance of deeds to grave(s);

a.       After June 14, 1999, residents may acquire gravesites and be issued deed(s) of grave(s) for themselves and other residents upon the payment of the designated fee to be charged residents.

b.      After June 14, 1999, residents may acquire gravesites and be issued deed(s) of grave(s) for non-residents upon payment of the designated fee to be charged non-residents.

c.       After June 14, 1999, non-residents may acquire gravesites and be issued deed(s) of grave(s) for themselves and other non-residents upon the payment of the designated fee to be charged non-residents.

d.      All transfers of gravesites(s) and issuances of deed(s) of grave(s) after June 14, 1999, to non-residents, are subject to the payment of the most current non-resident fees.

e.       A resident may transfer a grave deed to a non-resident after two (2) years without a penalty.

28.  Residency Requirements: The following residency requirements shall apply with regard to the issuance of deeds to grave(s);

a.       A person shall be deemed a “resident” of Union Township if that person is eligible, by reason of actual place of primary abode, to be an “elector” of Union Township.

b.      A person shall be deemed a “non-resident” of Union Township if that person is not eligible, by reason of actual place of primary abode, to be an “elector” of Union Township. 

c.       The actual residency status of the person(s) in whose name(s) the deed of grave(s) is to be issued shall determine the “resident” or “non-resident” fee to be charged. No deed to grave(s) shall be issued in the name of both “resident(s)” and “non-resident(s)”.

d.      Residency shall be determined at the time of the original issuance of deed(s) or subsequent transfers as may be applicable.

29.  Copy of rules for family plots available upon request

30.  No dogs or pets of any kind allowed in any Union Township Cemetery with the exception of helper dogs.

31.  No vehicles permitted except for those engaged in cemetery functions.

32.  All Cemetery Rates and Rules are subject to change.

33.  A fee of $30.00 will be applied to any returned check.

34.  Any exception granted to the above rules must be brought before a majority of the trustees at the next regular meeting.

ADDENDUM TO CEMETERY RULES                                     Revised May 27, 2008

Scattering Grounds

1.      All scattering events are scheduled weather permitting.

2.      Scatterings may be conducted by Union Township personnel. With permission, Funeral Director, Minister, Priest, Rabbi, or Family member may conduct scatterings.

3.      No decorations are permitted.

4.      All scatterings in Union Township must be in the designated scattering area.

5.      The scattering fee must be paid prior to the time of the event.

6.      No monuments, other than the plaque provided, are permitted.

7.      All plaques are installed at the township’s convenience.

8.      Union Township is not responsible for weather damage.

9.      Schedule of fees - See attached Cemetery Rates. 

10.  Union Township must be notified 24 hours prior to the time of scattering.

11.  No scatterings on Weekends or holidays. 

November 29, 2004

The existing rules for scattering grounds in Union Township, Miami County, Ohio, are as follows:

1.      All grounds close at dark.

2.      All scattering events are scheduled weather permitting.

3.      Scatterings may be conducted by Union Township personnel, Funeral Director, Minister, Priest, Rabbi, or Family member.

4.      DECORATIONS:

a)      No decorations are permitted.

5.      All scatterings in Union Township must be in the designated scattering area.

6.      The scattering fee must be paid for prior to the time of the event.

7.      No monuments, other than the plaque provided, are permitted.

8.      All plaques are installed at the township’s convenience.

9.      The township is not responsible for weather damage.

10.  Schedule of fees - See attached Cemetery Rates. 

11.  The township must be notified 24 hours prior to the time of scattering.

12.  No burials on Weekends or holidays. 

13.  Copy of rules available upon request. 

14.  No dogs or pets of any kind allowed in any Union Township Cemetery.

15.  No vehicles permitted except for those engaged in cemetery functions.

16.  All Cemetery Rates are subject to change.

17.  A fee of $30.00 will be applied to any returned check.

18.  Any exception granted to the above rules must be brought before a majority of the trustees at the next regular meeting.