CHOOSING THE RIGHT GRAVE OPTION

Homemade headstones are not permitted in any section of the cemetery. All memorial plaques are considered decorations and should not have date of birth or date of passing. Homemade headstones and memorial plaques are subject to removal at the discretion of the grounds crew. All headstones must be previously approved by the cemetery office prior to purchase or placement. By skipping this step, your memorial is subject to removal.

All grave purchases include:

  • Expert guidance by commission-free cemetery staff

  • Free pre-planning services

  • Perpetual maintenance of the grave

TRADITIONAL LOT SECTIONS

Many people are attracted to Riverside Cemetery's traditional lot sections because, in most cases, tributes (flowers, plants) can be planted in the ground. Artificial flowers are also permitted.

Several types of headstones or monuments can be accommodated, depending on the size and location of the grave. When purchasing a headstone, the owner of the gravesite will have to give permission to place the stone by signing & notarizing the Headstone Approval Affidavit and returning it to the headstone company or our office.

MEMORIAL PARK SECTIONS

These sections are exclusively reserved for grass-level (flat) headstones and only portable live and artificial tributes. A name cross may be placed against the headstone year round.

AT NEED SINGLE GRAVE SECTIONS

In these sections we select a burial space only when a death occurs. Here, a grave space and burial costs $1,280. The headstone, tributes and crosses permitted are the same as in the Memorial Park Sections. Also, a few graves in each row are reserved for double-deep (two full burials in one grave) interments where a spouse or family member may reserve a space above a lower depth earlier burial. This accommodation which includes a double-depth grave and the first burial is $1,500 and can be purchased only when the first person passes. The future burial charge will be the prevailing standard interment charge at that time.

BABYLAND

This section is for small children, birth up to about 3 years. A grave and burial here is $350.

YOUTH AREA

For older children, 3+ up to about 10 years, we have youth graves (up to 72" long) grouped together. A grave and burial is $400.

A SIMPLE AND DIGNIFIED HEADSTONE FOR STANDARD-SIZED LOTS

This option can be accommodated on a standard 8 ft. long grave. A single headstone, flush (flat) up to one foot high is permitted on each grave.

A single flush (flat) headstone can be granite or bronze and is 2 ft. x 1 ft. x 4 inches. Upright headstones may be made of granite only. They are 2 ft. x 1 ft. x up to one ft. high. Their form can be rectangular or the front can be slanted. Any headstone must be at least 8" high for above-ground installation.

LARGER LOTS CAN ACCOMMODATE MORE PROMINENT HEADSTONES AND MONUMENTS

If a larger headstone is desired, a longer grave must be purchased at a length of 9 ft. or 10 ft.

A single 9-ft. long grave will accommodate a larger single headstone up to 2 ft. x 1 ft. x 18 inches high. Any headstone must be at least 8” high for above-ground installation.

Two side-by-side 9 ft. graves will accommodate a larger single-piece double-wide headstone ranging 3 ft. to 4 ft. across, 10-12 inches wide, and can range from 8-18 inches high.

Ten-foot graves accommodate monuments and two-piece double-wide memorials. They can be single or multi-grave lots. They are generally composed of two or more pieces of granite stacked together (a base and an upright). Heights range based on location

CREMATION GRAVES AND NICHES

We have a special section for the burial of cremations. In-ground spaces are 3 ft.x3 ft., will accommodate 2-4 urns, and are allowed one single-sized, grass level headstone per grave. The headstone, tributes and crosses permitted are the same as in the Memorial Park Sections. We do not require a separate vault for the burial of cremains. We permit a variety of containers to be used. Graves may be purchased in advance or at-need for $590; interment is $620.

In this section we also have Columbariums for above-ground entombment. Niches cost $1,100; Inurnment is $620. Names and dates can be inscribed on the outer cover. Niche prices are the same regardless of the niche tier (level) chosen.

Comparing costs of the above two options, one should consider the following which almost neutralizes the relatively small cost difference between the two options:

  1. While the ground grave and burial are considerably less costly as such, if one wishes to identify the urn(s) interred, the standard-size headstone allowed absorbs the savings over a niche with an inscription.

  2. With regard to the niche, which is more expensive than a 3'x3' grave initially, the name can be inscribed on the outer granite cover. Two names so inscribed cost about 1/2 that of a starting price headstone and installation. Actual costs can be obtained from the office at any time by interested parties. The choice of accommodation, however, is actually one of preference since the overall costs are comparable.

Cremains can also be buried on top of a close family member for $620. We do not charge any additional "accommodation fee" to inter cremains on top of a full burial.