Cemetery

About

Situated across St. Patrick Road from the church, the cemetery extends along the road 500 feet. It is 300 feet wide and contains about 5 acres. On each end is a newer section whose lots belong to members of the parish today. The grounds are well maintained. The difference in the monuments of the present day contrasted with the single slabs of sandstone of days gone by, is an interesting note of the cemetery. Unfortunately, many of those single slabs were unable to withstand the rigors of time. Many, however, remain, and front these we can learn the family names (and ancestral nationality) of most of the families of the old parish. The oldest burial that can be found now is that of the John Barrett family; the first of whom was buried in 1844.

This historic old cemetery has served the members of St. Patrick’s Church for over 150 years. Reputed to be the oldest Catholic Church west of Chicago, its presence attracted many Irish Catholic immigrants who had come to the area as workers on the Illinois canal project. The cemetery land was officially deeded over to the Catholic Church in 1864 by Francis Kane who reserved a small piece where one of his daughters was buried. Like the prairie itself, the church building burned to the ground at regular intervals, destroying valuable early records. However, there remains a buried treasure of data in the form of old gravestones which were entombed on the earlier church site. These worn and broken stones were interred in an effort to beautify the grounds and may someday be excavated to provide additional historic information on this important group of early settlers.

Situated across St. Patrick Road from the church, the cemetery extends along the road 500 feet. It is 300 feet wide and contains about 5 acres. On each end is a newer section whose lots belong to members of the parish today. The grounds are well maintained. The difference in the monuments of the present day contrasted with the single slabs of sandstone of days gone by, is an interesting note of the cemetery. Unfortunately, many of those single slabs were unable to withstand the rigors of time. Many, however, remain, and front these we can learn the family names (and ancestral nationality) of most of the families of the old parish.

Visitors are warned to allow ample time when searching for a particular stone. Rows are of varying widths depending on the number and layout of gravestones. Many of the rows in the oldest section are difficult to follow because of the seemingly random placement of grave markers. The large open area east of the west entrance was originally reserved for paupers and lapsed Catholics—it is well-filled although there are few markers here.

SPRING AND FALL MAJOR CEMETERY CLEAN UP

March 1-15 and November 1-15 are used to clean up the grounds and prepare the cemetery for the spring and winter. All decorations will be removed stand disposed of at this time. If you wish to save your decoration, please remove it before March 1st and before November 1st. Please do not place any decorations during the clean-up times.

After November 1st, when the grass is not being cut, artificial wreaths no more than 30 inches in diameter placed on stands are permitted.

Monument Lots
Planting beds of up to 18 inches are permitted directly in front of a raised family memorial. You cannot plant behind the monument if you do not own the graves on that side. Decorative stones and border edging are strictly prohibited. Woody perennials such as: trees, bushes, or evergreens are not permitted. They will be removed and disposed of. All plants will be cut level to the turf after November 1st.

Reverence and Respect
We encourage the placement of decorations. We will try to be as careful as possible during our normal interment and maintenance activities as we can. We regret that we cannot guarantee that all decorations will be free from damage or loss, and we cannot accept responsibility for these occurrences.

The Catholic Cemetery is a holy place. These sacred grounds are blessed by the Church and dedicated as a place of prayer and dignity for our faithful departed.

Please maintain a quiet reverence and respect for the other people visiting the graves of loved ones. Please abide by the following:

• Proper attire at all times.
• Proper behavior at all times.
• No alcoholic beverages.
• No picnics.
• No pets.

PLEASE LIMIT DECORATIONS TO ONE PER GRAVE

Natural and Artificial flowers are permitted.

Containers of the following sizes are permitted. Pots 6 to 8 inches, Boxes — not exceeding 18 inches in length, 6 inches in height, 8 inches in width. All containers should be of plastic or wood construction with ample drainage. They should be placed on the marker, not dug into the turf.

Some of these containers are not suitable for the snow and harsh winter. The cemetery will not take responsibility for damage to them.

Metal: stands, boxes, pots, Shepherd hooks, glass, statuary, or decorative stones and border edging are strictly prohibited. Candles of any kind are not permitted. These restrictions are necessary for safety reasons. Any of these objects can be picked up and hurled by the lawn mowing equipment, making them potential hazards to visitors and the cemetery staff. They will be removed and disposed of immediately.

Artificial flowers are permitted on all graves in approved permanent vases. In ground metal vases are permitted and must have a hole in the bottom, so that water will not be contained in the vase.

Flags may be placed in planters with the plants, and also in the approved permanent vases. Flags may not be just stuck into the ground on wooden sticks, nor may they be attached to the metal veteran’s stakes (which are not permitted).

Evergreen blankets or grave coverings are not permitted at any time.

ST. PATRICK- HARTLAND CATHOLIC CEMETERY
RULES AND REGULATIONS

The following rules and regulations have been carefully edited, and the Cemetery Authorities have tried to adopt none that would abridge the most perfect freedom of each individual plot owner, except when injurious to the best interests of all. They should be impartially and rigorously enforced. Hereafter, when the Cemetery Authorities are noted, the employee-manager is empowered to act in their behalf.

1. The Cemetery Authorities are responsible for the proper enforcement of the Rules and Regulations and shall conduct and supervise the affairs of the cemetery.
2. The cemetery is maintained or the burial of only those members of the Roman Catholic Church who are entitled to Christian Burial according to the rules and discipline of the Roman Catholic Church.
3. Non-Catholic members of Roman Catholic families may be buried in accordance with the Diocesan Regulations for the burial of non-Catholic in a Catholic cemetery.
4. Religious ceremonies other than those of the Roman Catholic Church are not permitted within the cemetery.
5. Due to ever changing conditions, the Cemetery Authorities must reserve, and does hereby reserve, the right from time to time, to change these Rules and Regulations and to change all service charges.
6. When a new Rule or Regulation is adopted, it automatically applies to all easement contracts, whether issued prior or subsequent to its adoption.
7. These Rules and Regulations are effective as of May 1, 2012 with revisions from time to time as deemed necessary by the Cemetery Authorities.

PLOTS

8. Burial plots of various sizes may be purchased, and the Cemetery Authorities respectfully request those desiring to purchase a plot to visit the cemetery and personally view the different locations so as to make a satisfactory selection.
9. Burial plots purchased are conveyed by an easement contract from St. Patrick Church of Hartland IL, granting to said purchaser an easement in and to the right of burial of himself, his family and heirs, and for no other purpose whatsoever. The Cemetery Authorities hereby reserve and retain the right to sell such plots only to persons who are members of the Roman Catholic Church.
10. At the time a plot is purchased, the purchaser must pay the cost of the plot in full. No interments may be made, no monuments/markers may be placed and no right of easement or any other rights shall pass to buyer until the total sale price is paid. No other terms of payment will be accepted.
11. Easement rights may be designated in a single name, joint tenancy or tenants in common.

TRANSFER OF PLOTS

12. Due to relocation or other family circumstances, a buyer may wish to sell the grave easement rights back to the Cemetery Authorities. This may be done in the following manner: Buyer must contact cemetery office and turn in the easement right receipt for payment. The buyer would receive a refund in the amount of the original purchase price of the grave site, less a charge for administrative costs. Any existing monument on the gravesite would negate this refund offer.

HEIRS TO CEMETERY PLOTS

13. The Cemetery Authorities recommend that a plot owner, when making a last will and testament, specifically provide therein as to the disposition of his cemetery plot. If any plot owner dies without written designation, then it shall be the duty of the heirs of said deceased plot owner to file at the church office a Designation Document stating what person or persons shall be allowed burial on said plot.

INCOME CARE

14. All plots are sold with Income Care. The purchase price of a gravesite is composed of two separate charges. Eighty percent (80%) of the charge for a gravesite is the cost of the grave space. Twenty percent (20%) of the charge is for Income Care, which allows for the maintenance of the grounds in perpetuity. The term Income Care shall mean the cutting of grass on the plot at reasonable intervals, usually by the I t day of May, weather permitting and keeping the plot and the cemetery as a whole, in neat condition.

GRAVES ON PLOTS

15. All graves will be filled with soil level with the grade of the section, then seeded or sodded over.

INTERMENTS

16. All interments in plots shall be restricted to the members of the immediate family of the purchaser thereof, except when special permission to the contrary is obtained. All fees for interment shall be determined by the Cemetery Authorities.
17. Human remains will not be interred unless accompanied by the proper legal documents.
18. Plot owners desiring graves opened will be required to exhibit the deed for the plot or give other satisfactory evidence of ownership.
19. All graves shall be dug by workmen employed by the cemetery for that purpose. Filling, seeding, and other improvements shall be done by employees of the cemetery.
20. The fee for disinterment shall be determined by the Cemetery Authorities and must be done by workmen employed by the cemetery. This fee will cover exhumation only. Legal permits must be obtained.
21. The interment of human remains will conform to current laws set forth by the State of Illinois. All remains, including cremated remains, must be interred in a vault.
22. Household pets or other animals are not allowed to be interred in the cemetery.
23. A double burial in one grave (one full body above another) will not be allowed. A double burial will be allowed as two cremations or one cremation, one full body burial. A pre plan must be in place at the time of the first burial.

DISINTERMENTS

24. Disinterring and transferring of bodies in the cemeteries will not be permitted from the dates of the 1st day of May to the 15th day of September.
25. Removal and transfers during the winter months (from Dec 15th to Mar 15th) will be allowed only in cases of absolute necessity. For transfers during this period an extra charge will be made.
26. Only a plot owner or his legal successor, with the consent of the next of kin of the deceased, can order a disinterment from a plot. A disinterment from a single grave can be ordered by the next of kin as provided in such cases by law.
27. All orders for disinterment, whether from one grave to another in the same cemetery, or from the cemetery to another Roman Catholic cemetery, must be made in the form of an application duly signed.
28. All disinterment is subject to the rules and discipline of the Roman Catholic Church and the provisions of the State Law.
29. The State Laws provide that a disinterment permit must be obtained from the local State Registrar before a body can be disinterred and removed from the cemetery.
30. Disinterring of bodies dead of contagious disease will be made in accordance with the regulations of the State Department of Health.
31. Opening of sealed caskets is a violation of the State Law and is punishable by fine.
32. All disinterment and transfers shall be made by cemetery employees only. The Cemetery Authorities shall exercise due care in making disinterment and removals, but it shall assume no liability for damage to any casket or burial case incurred in making a disinterment or removal.
33. Where disinterment is made from a plot containing a number of graves, the Cemetery Authorities disclaim responsibility for damage done to adjoining graves.
34. Remains removed from other cemeteries and brought for re-interment to the cemetery, must be accompanied by a reinternment permit from the proper health authorities and a certificate from a Roman Catholic priest, in good standing, vouching for the right of re-interment in consecrated ground.
35. Removal of a body from its last resting place in the cemetery for re-interment in a cemetery other than a Roman Catholic cemetery shall not be allowed.
36. No disinterment will be permitted on Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays or holy days observed by the Roman Catholic Church. A family is not allowed to witness the disinterment/reinternment procedure.

MONUMENTS, HEADSTONES, MARKERS

37. The Cemetery Authorities must be notified prior to any monuments, headstone or marker being placed on the plot.
38. All monuments, headstones, and markers shall be of proper design material and workmanship as set forth by the Cemetery Authorities and must be pre-approved before installation.
39. All monuments, headstones, and markers are considered to be the property of the plot owner and upkeep is the responsibility of the plot owner. Any repair of monuments, headstones, and markers caused by vandalism or any other cause is the responsibility of the plot owner.
40. The cemetery will not be responsible for the loss of any portable articles left upon any plot or other part of the cemetery.
41. Fences, hedges, or other enclosures around or within plots shall not be allowed.
42. Private vaults, tombs, seats or benches will not be allowed.
43. All monument headstones or markers shall be mounted on granite bases 4 inches wider and 4 inches longer than the marker and the said base shall be at least 4 inches thick. Foundations shall be cement at least 42 inches deep.
44. Monuments, headstones, or markers are set to conform with the alignment of existing memorials in the surrounding area.
45. The setting of monuments, headstones, or markers and the transportation of the tools and materials within the grounds shall be subject to the supervision and control of the Cemetery Authorities. Such work shall be completed with rubbish removed as soon as possible.
46. No memorial shall be placed on any plot that has not been paid for without permission of the Cemetery Authorities.
47. Complete plans, specifications, and sketches of headstones, grave markers and other memorials and also a copy of the inscription to appear thereon, must be submitted to the Cemetery Authorities for approval. All headstones, markers and other memorials must have at least one religious symbol inscription. Only a maximum of two names will be allowed to be inscribed on a single headstone or marker.

GRAVE MARKERS

48. The term “grave marker” sometimes called ‘headstone” shall mean a stone intended to indicate the location of a particular grave.
49. All grave markers shall be made of standard natural granite, of one piece, without any metallic or other attachment, also of substantially the same quality and color as the other granite upon the plot and shall be uniform in design and workmanship, except that flush grave markers as hereinafter described, may be used regardless of any other type of grave marker on plot.
50. Flush grave markers are defined as grave markers six inches thick, set with upper surface flush or level with sod.

FOUNDATIONS AND SETTING OF STONEWORK

51. Damage done to plots, walks, drives, trees, shrubs or other property, by memorial dealers or contractors or their agents, shall be repaired by the Cemetery Authorities and the cost of such repair shall be charged to the memorial dealer or contractor.

PLANTING OF TREES ETC

52. All trees, shrubs, and evergreens are planted by the
    Cemetery Authorities according to carefully prepared landscape plans and no plot owner will be allowed planting a tree, shrub, or evergreen nor have one planted.
53. Pruning or removal of branches from trees, shrubs, or evergreens will be done by cemetery employees only, under the supervision of Cemetery Authorities, and no other person shall prune or trim any trees, shrubs, or evergreens, nor shall he remove any trees, shrubs, or evergreens in the cemetery, whether on his plot or not.
54. The Cemetery Authorities reserve the right to enter upon any plot and to remove any trees, shrubs, evergreens, flowers or herbage of any kind, which, in its judgment, may by means of roots, branches, or otherwise become detrimental to adjacent plots or which may become diseased, unsightly, dangerous, or inconvenient to the public.
55. All trees, shrubs and evergreens growing in the cemetery are the property of the cemetery and not the plot owners.
56. All plantings must be within 12 inches of the monument, headstone, or marker.

MISCELLANEOUS

57. If anything placed on or in any plot shall be deemed offensive, improper or detrimental to surrounding plots, the Cemetery Authorities shall have the right, after attempting to notify the owner, to remove said objects.
58. After a grave is prepared, owners may set out their own flowers. Plants set out in an unsightly manner or left not cared for, will be removed.
59. The right to alter walks, roads, and drives is solely reserved by the Cemetery Authorities.
60. All items placed on graves must be removed prior to March ISt (Spring cleanup) and October ISt (Fall cleanup).
61. No wooden, glass, concrete, metal, Styrofoam or other plastic statues, toys, ornaments or other objects shall be allowed on graves or plots. These items are prohibited in order to protect and guard the safety of cemetery workers and visitors.
62. Depositing of rubbish or waste of any kind upon plots, walks, or drives is prohibited. Waste cans are provided at the cemetery gate entrances.
63. The Cemetery Authorities believe the flag of the United States of America should be used in the cemetery only on the graves of those who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States, and then only on Memorial Day and days of special remembrance.

RULES FOR VISITORS

64. Hours (Dawn to Dusk) that the cemetery shall be open to the public will be posted. At any other times, violators both pedestrian and those in autos or any other vehicle will be prosecuted.
65. Picking flowers, wild or cultivated, breaking or injuring any tree, plant or shrub or in any way injuring any monuments, headstone, marker, or other structure, or property within the cemetery, is prohibited and will, under the State Law, subject the offender to a severe penalty.
66. Dogs are not allowed to walk in the cemetery. Drinking intoxicating beverages or eating lunches on the cemetery grounds is unbecoming a sacred place and not allowed. Persons or picnic parties with chairs or tables for refreshments or liquor shall not be allowed in the cemetery

Cemetery Pricing