In accordance with R.C. 517.06 and R.C. 517.11 and Resolution No. 1970-6, Rootstown Township Trustees, dated April 14, 1970, the following general rules and regulations are adopted:
1. A township resident shall be designated as one who has been permanently domiciled in the township for at least six (6) months immediately preceding his/her demise.
2. A non-resident shall be designated as one who has permanently moved his domicile from the Township for the six (6) months immediately preceding his/her demise.
3. A family unit is defined as one individual, or any number of individuals related by blood, adoption, foster, or marriage occupying a dwelling unit and living in a single housekeeping unit.
4. The Sexton, or a party appointed by the Trustees, shall have the general care and supervision of the cemetery grounds, subject to the order of the Trustees.
5. The Trustees shall receive, for opening and closing the graves, a fee to be set each year at the first meeting of January, fluctuating according to the prevailing wage scale. Infant graves shall be proportionate in cost.
6. Any family unit composed of Rootstown residents which has not already obtained a lot or lots, and desires a lot for future purposes shall be entitled to select a lot or lots upon payment to the Clerk for which a deed/receipt shall be issued.
7. Any resident of Rootstown Township who has not already obtained a lot, and desires a lot for future burial purposes shall be entitled to select a maximum of one or two grave lots upon payment to the clerk, for which a one or two grave deed/receipt shall be issued. Residents may purchase additional lots only at the time of an immediate burial need.
8. Space permitting, crematory burials may be made on existing family burial lots.
9. Any family member of a non-resident desiring a grave for immediate burial where a member of said non-resident's immediate family is buried the cemetery, shall be entitled to select a one or two grave lot upon payment to the Clerk for which a lot deed/receipt shall be issued.
10. Any non-resident claiming rights, as a resident shall be required to deposit the non-resident fee with the Township Clerk after which the Trustees shall decide the issue involved.
11. Improvements of lots by private parties shall be done only with the consent of the Sexton or party in charge.
12. No lots shall be thrown up or raised above surrounding lots.
13. Lot enclosures of any kind are prohibited.
14. Monument foundations shall be laid four feet below the surface of the ground. Foundations for markers or headstones shall be laid at least thirty inches below the surface of the ground. Said work shall only be done under the supervision of the Sexton or party in charge.
15. If any tree or shrub on any lot by reason o spreading roots or branches becomes detrimental to the adjacent lots, paths, walks or drives, or unsightly or inconvenient to passersby, the Trustees shall have the right to remove said tree or shrub or such parts thereof as they deem unsightly or detrimental.
16. If any monument, effigy or enclosure, or any structure whatsoever, or any inscription placed in or upon any lot shall be determined by the Trustees to be injurious, offensive, or improper to the surrounding lots or grounds, the Trustees shall have the right, and it shall be their duty to remove same.
17. Any person defacing a stone or monument, causing injury to any tree or shrub shall be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.
18. No person shall be present on the Township cemetery grounds between dusk and dawn with reasonable cause or permission from the cemetery Sexton or his designated representative.
19. No person shall have pets of any kind on cemetery grounds.
20. Cemetery lots may be transferred only to the township for the original purchase price. Cemetery lots may not be sold to another individual by the owner.
21. In case of interment errors, pursuant to Section 517.23 of the Ohio Revised Code, the Township has the right to disinter a deceased person to correct an interment error. Owners and purchasers acknowledge on behalf of themselves, their heirs, successors, and assigns that the Township has the right to correct any errors that involve the interment of a deceased person. Pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code and Township policy, notice of the actions to be taken by the Township will be provided to the decedent's last known next of kin prior to the correction.
22. One cemetery lot shall be provided when the decedent has no life insurance or other assets at the time of death. The township shall provide a grave if one is not already owned by the decedent, provided that the decedent is a resident of the Township. Should death occur in a nursing facility outside the Township, availability of this benefit shall be determined by the decedent's legal domicile prior to the nursing facility.
23. The funeral director or funeral home, which arranges for opening and/or purchase of a grave, shall be responsible for payment of both the grave and the opening fee.
24. All disinterments and reinterments are subject to all State, County Health Department and Township requirements.
25. Any person making application for the disinterment or reinterment permit accepts all responsibility for the payment of such disinterment/reinterment. Any vault company charges shall be paid by the applicant.
Adopted November 27, 2001 by Resolution No. 2001-271