GENERAL INFORMATION
LOCATION: The cemetery property is located on outer State Street, in Bangor, Maine, and extends from the Penobscot River northerly and easterly to the boundary lines of the town of Veazie, Maine. The cemetery contains approximately 264 acres.
NON-SECTARIAN: Mount Hope is a non-sectarian cemetery with lots and graves being sold without discrimination with respect to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or military status.
NON-PROFIT: The Corporation is conducted not for profit, but solely for the interests of the lot owners as a whole. Any income from whatever source is expended upon the maintenance or improvement of the cemetery or is added to funds created for this purpose.
MANAGEMENT: The Corporation is under the direction of the Board of Trustees who are elected by the lot owners and who serve without remuneration.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
GENERAL APPLICABILITY: The Rules and Regulations of Mount Hope Cemetery Corporation are adopted for the common protection of all lot owners and the preservation of the natural beauty of the cemetery grounds. Visitors are guests and shall abide by all rules and regulations.
SUPERINTENDENT: The Superintendent, or their representative, shall have the authority to enforce all rules and regulations and to exclude from the cemetery any violators thereof.
OFFICE HOURS: Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. and 12 Noon to 4:00 P.M. Closed Saturday, Sunday and the following holidays: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve (closed at noon), Christmas and New Year’s Day.
GATE HOURS: The gates will be open during the period May through mid-September inclusive from 7:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. From mid-September through end of October signs at the entrances will be posted with the gate closing hour. During this period, entrances other than the Lower 3 State Street and the main Northern Division entrance will be closed at 4:00 P.M. and the Lower State Street and Northern Division entrances will be closed at 7:30 P.M. The only entrances open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays will be Lower State Street and the main Northern Division entrance. From November through March inclusive the Cemetery will be open from 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
RECREATONAL USE OF CEMETERY: Mt. Hope Cemetery Corp. is private property. Persons using the cemetery are expected and required to conduct themselves in a courteous and respectful manner at all times. No recreational activities are allowed in the cemetery without the permission of the Superintendent or their representative. No roller blading, skateboarding, roller skis, Kites, Hoverboard/powered skateboard, Onewheel/self-balancing board, drones, remote control vehicles, kites or Segways are allowed at anytime. If you are not sure please check with the Superintendent or their representative.
FIREARMS: No firearms will be allowed in the cemetery without permission of the Superintendent
DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS: No dogs allowed at any time, only certified service or seeing eye dogs. No Animals are allowed into the cemetery, domestic or otherwise.
TRAFFIC: Speed limit is fifteen miles per hour. All vehicles must be operated by a licensed driver. Motorized vehicles are limited to roadways and are specifically excluded from grassed areas.
RECREATION VEHICLES: Snowmobiles, ATV’s and all other off-road vehicles are prohibited by state law.
VISITORS: Visitors must not park on the grass, pick flowers or injure trees or shrubs and in all cases must observe the proprieties of the Cemetery. Visitors are asked to show respect for the overall appearance of the cemetery.
WILDLIFE: PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE WILDLIFE! Feeding of any wildlife is prohibited. Removal of any wildlife is prohibited unless written permission from the Superintendent is given.
SOLICITING: Solicitation of business to the Cemetery is prohibited.
CONDUCT: Improper conduct or violation of the rules by anyone will result in a request to leave the Cemetery. Mt. Hope Cemetery Corp. is private property and when visiting you are a guest.
RESTRICTIONS: The Board of Trustees shall have authority to classify lots or sections of the Cemetery and to put special restrictions thereon as to the permissibility, number, kind, size, and location of memorials, plantings, decorations and structures or other objects.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE: The Cemetery shall take reasonable precaution to protect owners, and the property rights of owners, within the Cemetery, from loss or damage, but it distinctly disclaims all responsibility for loss or damage from causes beyond its reasonable control, and, especially, from damage caused by the elements, an act of God, common enemy, thieves, vandals, strikers, malicious mischief makers, explosion, unavoidable accidents, invasion, insurrections, riots, or order of any military or civil authority, whether the damage be direct or collateral, other than herein provided.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: All special instructions should be given in writing. The work may only be accomplished by Cemetery employees or under the Superintendent’s supervision.
CORRECTION OF ERRORS: The Cemetery reserves, and shall have the right to correct any errors that may be made by either in making interments, disinterment or removals, or the description, transfer or conveyance of any interment property, either by cancelling such conveyance and substituting any conveying in lieu thereof other interment property of equal value and similar location as far as possible, or as may be selected by Management, or, in the sole discretion of the Management, by refunding the amount of money paid on account of said purchase. In the event such error shall involve the interment of the remains of any person in such property, the Cemetery reserves, and shall have the right to remove or transfer such remains so interred to such other property of equal value and similar location as may be substituted and conveyed in lieu thereof.
BURIAL LOTS
PURCHASE: Anyone desiring to purchase a burial plot should inquire to the Cemetery office.
RESERVATIONS OF LOTS OR SINGLE GRAVES: Lots or single graves will not be held longer than 30 days without arrangements being made to pay for same.
INTERMENT PRIVILEGE: The burial plot grant gives only a right or privilege of interment of human remains.
LOT CARE: Arrangements for annual care or perpetual care may be made at the Cemetery office for those lots not presently under perpetual care.
SPECIAL DECORATIONS: Arrangements may be made, with reasonable notice, to have bouquets placed on lots or graves for special occasions.
UNPAID BILLS: No work shall be done, nor interments made, on any lot on which unpaid bills have accrued.
STRUCTURES: No structures of any kind other than grave markers or lot monuments may be placed on lots and single graves.
ORNAMENTS, ETC.: The placing of boxes, shells, toys, food, wind chimes, balloons, pin wheels, metal designs, ornaments, chairs, settees, vases, fences, edging materials, shepherd’s hooks, trellises, solar lights or other similar articles upon plots will not be permitted.
INTERMENTS PER GRAVE: The cemetery will allow in one grave space one full burial or one full burial and one cremation or two cremations per grace space. If cremains are buried first, they must be placed in a removable container. If two persons are placed in the same space only one marker will be allowed with a double inscription.
FLOWERS, PLANTS, SHRUBS AND WREATHS
Flowers, wreaths and other decorations left on lots will be removed by Cemetery staff, at their discretion, as soon as possible after they fade or become unsightly.
No flowering bushes, shrubs or trees will be allowed on any lot or single grave in the Northern Division. Evergreen shrubs are allowed on certain lots but must be approved by the Cemetery management. Evergreen shrubs, where allowed, can only be planted by lot owners or other persons after a perpetual care deposit has been made for their care with the Cemetery office. The Cemetery reserves the right to remove any plantings, etc. that become unsightly, or are planted incorrectly, or are infringing on an adjoining lot or obstructing operations of the cemetery.
Window boxes, tubs, urns and other similar containers kill the grass and will not be allowed after June 15th.
No cement, plastic, wood or rubber edging will be allowed around any flowerbeds on cemetery lots. No white marble, granite chips or other rock materials will be allowed in flowerbeds. Only bark mulch or wood chips. (Revised 2000)
No artificial decorations (OTHER THAN OVER THE STONE PIECES) will be allowed from June 15th through November 15th.
FLAGS: Flags are permitted on individual graves during Memorial Day each year.
All flags will be removed, in accordance with American Legion policy, beginning immediately after Memorial Day. If flags in flag holders become faded, tattered, or torn, they will be removed and disposed of in a proper manner.
SINGLE GRAVE SECTIONS
SHRUBS, BUSHES, ETC.: No structures, bushes, flowering shrubs or evergreen shrubs of any kind may be placed on single graves.
MARKERS: Grave markers shall be bronze or granite, set flush with the surface of the ground. In the case of granite, an axed, steeled or polished flat-topped surface with “V” sunk or sandblasted inscriptions (no raised lettering). A bronze marker must be attached to granite or cement. Single markers marking one grave shall be not over twenty-four (24) inches long by twelve (12) inches wide and not less than four (4) inches thick. Double markers marking two or more graves are allowed. They shall not be over thirty-six (36) inches long by twelve (12) wide and not less than four (4) inches thick.
INSTALLATION AND FOUNDATIONS: No foundations will be required under single markers up to and including twenty-four (24) inches long by twelve (12) wide. Instead a setting and maintenance fee will be paid, the cost of which may be obtained by contacting the Cemetery office. Any marker over the aforementioned size will require a concrete foundation. A marker of any size and over one foot in height requires a foundation.
TRANSFER OF LOTS
No owner or proprietor of any lot or lots located in Mount Hope Cemetery, or the representative of such an owner or proprietor as defined under the provisions of Section 8 of the Act of Incorporation, shall sell, transfer and/or convey any interest in such lot or lots or single graves for any consideration without first offering in writing to convey the same to the Corporation for the amount which the records of the Corporation shall disclose as the total consideration which the Corporation received for said lot or single grave or graves. If, upon the expiration of sixty days from the receipt of said offer, said Corporation shall have failed to accept such offer, then in that event such sale, transfer or conveyance of said lot or lots, or single grave or graves may be made to any third party provided always that the new owner shall remain expressly subject to the by-laws and rules and regulations of the Corporation now or hereafter in force and to the provisions of the Statutes of Maine now or hereafter in force.
BURIALS
INTERMENT ORDERS: Orders should be given to the Cemetery at least twenty-four hours in summer and forty-eight hours in winter before the time of interment. It is important that the person designated as responsible for the plot give personal attention to the location of the grave or graves.
TELEPHONE ORDERS: The Cemetery will not be responsible for mistakes occurring when orders are given by telephone.
WORK BY CEMETERY: All interments and disinterments shall be made by employees of the Cemetery upon payment of such charges as may be fixed from time to time by the Cemetery.
INTERMENT: No burials will be allowed without a cement vault approved by the Superintendent, and it is advised to have any cremains buried in a permanent container in case of future disinterment.
SUPERVISION: All funerals, upon arrival at the Cemetery, will be under the supervision of the Superintendent or their representative at all times.
OPENING AND CLOSING CHARGES: The cost of interments or of disinterments can be obtained at the Cemetery office. Undertakers or authorized persons will be responsible for charges in all cases, to be paid at the time of interment or disinterment.
WINTER BURIAL OF CREMAINS: Cremains can be buried during the winter months pending winter weather conditions.
SATURDAY CHARGES: An extra charge will be made for all burials on Saturday.
LATE ARRIVAL CHARGES: An additional charge will be made for funerals arriving after 3:00 P.M on weekdays and after 1:00 P.M. on Saturdays.
SNOW REMOVAL CHARGES: For an additional hourly fee, arrangements will be made when necessary.
HOLIDAYS: No interments will be made on the following legal holidays: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
REMOVALS
Removals will not be made without a signed order from the next of kin and the owner of the lot or grave. A licensed funeral director must be present. Removals will not be made on Saturday, Sundays or holidays.
CREMATORIUM
The Cemetery has cremation services available. Cremation charges may be obtained at the Cemetery office. The following documents are required upon arrival.
1. Burial/transit permit.
2. Signed medical examiner’s release.
3. Signed form authorizing the cremation.
4. Death certificate
a. Funeral Director (photo copy of death certificate)
b. Family certified copy of death certificate
5. Payment in full for the cremation charge and extra items.
After regular working hours an extra charge will be made for cremation.
All bodies delivered to the crematory must be enclosed in a rigid combustible container.
All cremains are shipped priority mail express through the United States Postal Service.
URN GARDEN
The Urn Garden is located in the Northern Division of the cemetery. Urn Garden graves are two feet by two feet in size and will accommodate the burial of one or two cremated remains. In this section, bronze cremorial markers are allowed or granite markers of the same size. These markers may be purchased in either single or double marker sizes with or without attached urns. A complete package of lot, perpetual care and bronze marker may be arranged. Markers may also be purchased through any granite dealer provided they are the same in specifications as those offered by the Cemetery.
MEMORIALS
In lettered sections of the Eastern Division and Northern Division only one monument above grade is allowed on any lot and no monument shall be erected the base of which covers more than eight percent of the area of the lot.
The length of a monument shall not exceed forty percent of the width of the lot except that up to sixty percent may be allowed if the area of the base does not exceed eight percent of the area of the lot.
In the older sections of the Corporations Grounds and Eastern Division only one monument is allowed on any one lot and above grade headstones are allowed if approved by the Superintendent. All so called “G.I.” markers due to their four-inch thickness will be set as flush markers.
Headstones above the grade of the ground are not permitted in Eastern Division and Northern Division having plots so designated by number or name, as indicated on the Cemetery Corporation plan. In these sections, graves markers only are allowed at each grave. They shall be of granite or bronze set flush with the surface of the ground, having, in the case of granite, an axed, steeled or polished 10 flat-topped surface with “V” sunk or sand-blasted inscriptions (no raised lettering). For sizes of grave markers refer to section under “SINGLE GRAVES”.
In the old single grave sections, a headstone or memorial, granite preferred, may be placed at the head of two or more graves. Such a stone may not be over three (3) feet long by one (1) foot wide by three (3) feet high and must be erected on a proper concrete foundation
In the Northern Division sections A and B, monuments are allowed only on designated lots and flush markers only on other so designated lots. Where monuments only are allowed there will be no grave markers, inscriptions if desired will be placed on the monuments. The height of monuments in the Northern Division, including base, will not be over thirty-six (36) inches. Apply to the Cemetery office for sizes of monuments. For sizes of grave markers refer to section under “SINGLE GRAVES.”
In the Northern Division sections C, D, F and G, a monument is allowed on a lot, along with a flush marker marking each grave space. The same monument height restrictions apply only to section C as it does in sections A and B of the Northern Division. Apply to the Cemetery office for sizes of monuments. For sizes of grave markers refer to section under “SINGLE GRAVES.”
Bronze markers are allowed if desired but must be set flush and kept to size limitations and be secured to a granite base which in turn, depending on size, will come under either the setting and maintenance fee or be placed on a concrete foundation. Similar foundations are required for all stones over 12 inches by 24 inches, or one foot high and over.
Designs, locations and materials for all monuments and markers or other structures must be submitted to the Superintendent for approval on a special form supplied by the Cemetery prior to signing of any contracts or giving instructions.
All monuments set will have to have the die and base epoxied at time of setting. IE: Epoxy any joint between two surfaces. All bases shall have axed sides and smooth bottoms.
No personal columbariums are allowed.
FOUNDATIONS
All foundations, when required, are to be constructed by the Cemetery. They will be of concrete and will be finished at least two inches below grade. Foundation orders must be submitted to the Cemetery office along with payment.
Granite dealers will be held responsible for the cost of all foundations put in by the Cemetery and the setting and maintenance fee for markers. Individuals who order foundations or setting and maintenance fees must pay for them in advance. Foundations will not be constructed on any lot or grave when there are unpaid charges still outstanding against them.
The Cemetery will construct foundations from June 1st through October 1st. Orders will be completed at the discretion of the cemetery.
INSTALLATION & REMOVAL OF STRUCTURES
No memorials, monuments, markers or headstones may be placed or removed from any lot without permission of the Superintendent. The granite dealer will be held responsible for the removal of any memorials, etc. illegally placed by them on a lot or grave.
All loaded vehicles must enter and depart through the gate indicated by the Superintendent or their assistants and no materials shall be unloaded or set in place until permission has been obtained at the office.
No materials shall be delivered or installed on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.
All workers employed by contractors or sub-contractors of the Corporation, shall be subject to the control and direction of the Superintendent.
In order to protect areas over which heavy materials are to be moved, workers will be required to lay protective matting.
Moving stones, etc. across adjoining lots or attaching guide rope is forbidden except if the Superintendent gives permission.
All work must be done during Cemetery working hours and cease at closing time.
Any violation of any rules and regulations will result in a ban of that individual or company from doing any work in this cemetery in the future.
Any memorials, monuments, markers or headstones that are being removed for the purpose of repairs must be approved by the Superintendent before it can be removed from the cemetery. The firm or persons that are removing stones or doing repair work on stones must show proof of insurance or the cemetery takes no responsibility for injury or damage during removal or restoration of stones.
MAUSOLEUMS
Mausoleums are only allowed on special lots approved by the Board of Trustees. Plans, specifications and materials are to have the approval of an architect appointed by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall oversee the supervision of construction. The charge for the architect is to be borne by the purchaser. Arrangements for the perpetual care of the mausoleum must be made before any construction can commence. Further information should be obtained from the Superintendent.
SCATTERING GARDEN
The Scattering Garden is for the scattering of human remains. This area is designated inside the cemetery in our Northern Division, located off Mount Hope Avenue. Please remember once scattered, cremated remains cannot be collected back as this is a permanent decision. No flowers, artificial decorations, or mementos will be allowed in the scattering garden areas. Items left will be removed immediately by staff.
MUSLIM SECTION
The Muslim Section is for full burial only. Lot sales are at need only. No reservation of grave spaces is allowed. All inquiries for burial will be directed to the contact person at the Islamic Center of Maine in Orono, Maine. The ground care of the Muslim Section is assumed by Mt. Hope. All general rules and regulations that apply to Mt. Hope also apply to the Muslim Section. No raised headstones or markers are allowed. Only one flush grave marker measuring no larger than 24”x12” will be allowed per grave space. The grave marker must be 4” thick. The marker will only be placed by the Cemetery
No raised headstones or markers are allowed. Only one flush grave marker measuring no larger than 24”x12” will be allowed per grave space. The grave marker must be 4” thick. The grave marker must be made of granite. The marker will only be placed by the Cemetery upon payment of the current setting fee.
AMENDMENTS
The Board of Trustees reserves the right to amend, modify or make additions to these rules and regulations at anytime without notice.