Cemetery Ministry

Cemetery Rules
Updated 3/11/2020

I. Grave Purchasing

A. A grave must be paid in full at the time of purchase. (e.g. A deposit will not hold a grave. No payment plan will be offered.)

B. Payment must be remitted in check or money order. NO CASH will be accepted.

C. Price

1. Member: $300

2. Non-member: $1200
   
   

D. The final cost of the grave is dependent on the grave owner's (occupant's) membership status with TFCCBC at the time of death. For example, if a person purchased a grave at a member rate, but upon his/her death that person was not a member of TFCCBC, then that person would have to pay the difference between the amount he/she originally paid for the grave and the current non-member rate.

E. Only members may purchase graves.

1. A member is:
   a) a church member and
   b) at least 18 years old

2. A member may buy up to four graves.

3. A member may buy graves at member price for:
   a) herself/himself,
   b) his/her child who is younger than 18 years old or his/her child of any age if that child has a mental disability regardless if that child is a member,

4. A member may buy graves for non-members at non-member price.
   
   

F. Non-members may not buy graves.

G. When a grave is purchased, the grave purchaser must name a grave occupant for the grave.

H. Graves are non-transferable. If upon a grave owner's death, the grave owner is not buried in his/her owned grave, that grave will become part of the grave owner's estate, and the purchase price of the grave will be considered part of the deceased assets.

II. Selling a Grave Back to the Church

1. A grave owner may sell a grave back to the church and will be reimbursed at the original reservation fee if proof of purchase is provided.

2. If a grave owner wishes to sell a grave back to the church and has no proof of purchase, the value of the grave will be determined by TFCCBC Cemetery Committee.

3. The price of member and nonmember graves should be increased at least every ten (10) years. Price increase should be presented as motion and second by the Cemetery Committee at a business meeting.

III. Burials

A. Grave opening for casket or cremains is arranged by the funeral home. The funeral home contacts the gravedigger who will open and close the grave.

B. Kenny Rogers is the authorized person to open and close graves at TFCCBC.

C. The casket must be in concrete or steel vault for burial.

D. Cremains

1. A maximum of 2 cremains per grave.

2. Burial of cremains must be recorded on a monument or military marker.

E. No burial of animal remains or animal cremains is permitted.

IV. Monuments & Markers

A. A monument or marker is a permanent fixture constructed of stone inscribed with the grave owner's name and relevant information.

B. A monument or marker must be placed on the grave within one year of the date of death of the grave owner.

C. Placement of monuments and markers is the responsibility of the purchaser, grave owner or surviving family members.

D. Monument foundations must be concrete and have a minimum depth of 16 inches from the top of the ground.

E. Ground-level markers:

1. Must be kept level with the ground.

2. Military markers are the only ground-level markers permitted.
   a) If possible, please mount military markers on an upright monument.

V. Flowers, Plantings, and Other Decorations

A. The following flower placement is permitted:

1. In vases original to the monument.

2. A flower arrangement that is securely attached to the monument.

B. Planting of trees, shrubbery or other plants is not permitted.

C. Bark mulches, rocks, and similar materials are not permitted.

D. Articles made of concrete, glass (ex. figurines), ceramic, metal (ex. shepherd's hooks), plastic and such are not permitted.

E. Items that would hinder safety, maintenance, or mowing are not permitted.

F. Any flowers, plantings or decorations that do not follow these rules will be removed and discarded.

VI. Maintenance

A. Mowing, grass trimming and application of fill dirt to sunken graves is the responsibility of TFCCBC.

B. Maintenance of the monument (i.e. cleaning, leveling of the monument) is the responsibility of the family members.

C. TFCCBC is not responsible for loss or damage from causes beyond its control (i.e. vandalism, theft, explosions, weather, etc.).