Rockville Cemetery Charges, Fees, And Services
Effective January 1, 2021
Rockville Cemetery Association is committed to providing all families with tranquil interment spaces now and well into the future. Burial sites are located throughout the property to accommodate a wide range of memorial styles. Rockville Cemetery offers burial space for both caskets and cremated remains, as well as niche inurnment for cremains in our columbaria. As a Perpetual Care cemetery, fees charged help ensure that burial sites are preserved and remain accessible and grounds are maintained constantly.
Purchase of Grave Sites and Columbaria Niches:
Lower Cemetery Sites (Single & double-depth casket and urn burials)
Section 1 and Section 2— $3,000 per site
Upper Cemetery Sites (Single-depth casket and urn burials only)
All Sections— $5,000 per site
Columbaria Niches (Single urn permitted per niche space)
All Niches— $2,500 each
Discounts Available:
Purchase of 2 or more grave sites/niches simultaneously receives a 10% discount
Purchase of 6 or more grave sites/niches simultaneously receives a 15% discount
Interment and Inurnment Service Charges:
FOR WEEKDAY SERVICES COMPLETED BEFORE 3 PM:
Single-depth full casket grave opening — $2,000
Double-depth full casket grave opening — $2,500
Cremation urn grave opening (single urn) — $ 750
Cremation urn grave opening (two urns )— $ 900
Infant grave opening — $ 500
Columbarium inurnment — $ 500
FOR WEEKDAY SERVICES COMPLETED AFTER 3 PM: — (add:) $ 200 per hour
ADDITIONAL WEEKEND HOLIDAY INTERMENT CHARGES:
For all Saturday/Sunday/Holiday burial services— (add:) $ 300
For Sat./Sun./Holiday burial services completed after 1 pm— (add:) $ 50 per hour
EQUIPMENT RENTAL CHARGES:
Seating rental (6 chairs) — $100
Tent rental — $100
DISINTERMENT OF BURIALS:
Disinterment requests first must be approved by the Montgomery County State’s Attorney and then coordinated with Rockville Cemetery Association. Site owners, families or administrators are responsible for all associated fees and permits:
(https://www3.montgomerycountymd.gov/311/Solutions.aspx?SolutionId=1-I02BV)
Open an existing grave, remove vault, and reinter or release to owner:
Single-depth [or] Double-depth casket and liner— $3,500 – $4,000
Single [or] Double cremains urn(s)— $1,000 – $1,500
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
For Site & Niche Purchases – ALL SALES ARE FINAL. Full payment must be received prior to burial services. Full payment amount may be provided directly by CASH or PERSONAL CHECK. CREDIT CARD payments (with an additional 3.5% service charge) are accepted through our website at: www.rockvillecemeterymd.org.
For Burial Services – All casket burials require a grave liner or vault, which may be obtained through the funeral service provider. The purchase and use of portable burial vaults by families as cremains (urn) burial containers is optional.
Grave Markers – Site owners or families are responsible for locating and purchasing grave markers from qualified vendors. All grave markers must have a sufficient concrete foundation installed by the vendor at and below ground level. Vendors must obtain Rockville Cemetery Association approval prior to monument/marker installation.
No burials are scheduled on the following holidays:
New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Questions? Please contact us through our website at: https://www.rockvillecemeterymd.org/contact/
Perpetual Care
Rockville Cemetery is committed to Perpetual Care, as defined by the Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 5, “Cemeteries,” as follows:
Pursuant to Section 5-601, Business Regulation Article, Annotated Code of Maryland:
In this subtitle, “perpetual care”:
(1) means the maintenance, including the cutting of grass abutting memorials or monuments, administration, supervision and embellishment of a cemetery and its grounds, roads, and paths; and
(2) includes the repair and renewal of buildings, including columbaria and mausoleums, and the property of the cemetery.
Accordingly, 10% of all fees for purchase of gravesites and niches are set aside in our Perpetual Care Account. Earnings from this account are used to conduct perpetual care activities, as defined above.
Please note: All sales are final. Perpetual Care does not include installation, maintenance, or care of gravestones or other items installed by grave site owners, as these items are the property of said owners.
Policies
Rockville Cemetery Association (RCA) welcomes traditional floral decorations at grave sites. This policy serves as guidance to support decorations in a manner that is considerate of families, adjoining sites, and RCA efforts to maintain this historic burial ground with dignity. We appreciate the cooperation of all visitors regarding the following:
- GRAVE SITE IDENTIFICATION: Traditional headstones, monuments, and markers installed by qualified vendors are the only PERMANENT decoration permitted on grave sites. OTHER ITEMS INTENDED FOR PERMANENT DISPLAY ARE PROHIBITED.
- PLACEMENT: TEMPORARY decorations are permitted on grave sites only, and may not extend onto or over adjacent sites. Decorations may not exceed 4-feet in height. No objects may be attached to cemetery structures, trees, etc.
- LIVE CUT FLOWERS: May be placed on graves year-round. NOTE: Water service IS NOT available in Rockville Cemetery.
- ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS: Are acceptable year-round, but are not permitted as permanent displays.
- LIVE POTTED PLANTS: May be placed on graves, but not planted below ground level.
- CONTAINERS: Use RECYCLABLE metal, plastic and paper materials ONLY to support floral displays.
o GLASS AND CERAMIC CONTAINERS ARE PROHIBITED FOR SAFETY REASONS. - BENCHES: Placement of any permanent structure (e.g., benches, memorial trees) must be approved by special request to RCA.
- HOLIDAY DECORATIONS:
o MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: RCA will post an American flag on the graves of all known U.S. military service veterans.
o VETERANS DAY: RCA supports the placement of American flags on the graves of known U.S. military service veterans.
o CHRISTMAS: Wreaths and themed decorations are permitted on graves from Thanksgiving Day through the holiday season and will be removed after February 1.
o FOR ALL OTHER HOLIDAYS: Themed decorations are permitted 7 days prior through 7 days following each holiday. - MONUMENT ALTERATIONS: Grave monuments may not be altered in any way to support decorations. No object may be physically attached to a headstone, monument or marker, except for flower “saddle” devices made specifically for such purpose.
- PROHIBITED ITEMS: Any item or substance determined to be hazardous to humans, wildlife, or natural resources, damaging to cemetery grounds and facilities, considered to be offensive or profane, and/or in violation of local laws, is prohibited. Prohibited items on cemetery grounds include, but are not limited to, the following examples:
o Glass, ceramic, wire or other easily-breakable and potentially hazardous containers or objects.
o Hazardous or unlawful items, including weapons or ammunition, matches/lighters, alcoholic beverages and their containers.
o Plant stands, shepherd’s hooks, hanging baskets, supported banners, etc.
o Perpetual illumination devices, battery or solar-powered lights, candles or open flames.
o Landscaping accessories, including paving & border stones, ceramic/stone/other figurines, benches, stone chips, shells, etc.
o Organic items (e.g., produce, fruit, feed, suet, canned items, seeds, etc.) intended symbolically or for wildlife consumption.
o Toys, decorative/symbolic stones, or other loose objects on turf areas, as potentially hazardous to lawn equipment.
o Planting of seeds, bulbs, plants, unauthorized treatment of turf areas, or application of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, etc.
o Any item or device designed or intended to create or emit audible sound, including wind chimes, rattles, etc.
o Balloons, kites, dream catchers, wind catchers, whirlybirds, hanging spinners, etc. - GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS: March 1 – Oct. 31, decorations may be moved to accommodate maintenance.
- DISCLAIMERS:
o Rockville Cemetery Association assumes no responsibility for items left at grave sites. Due to the open nature of the grounds, we cannot guarantee against damages, theft, vandalism, environmental effects, or impacts by wildlife.
o At any time without notice, Rockville Cemetery Association reserves the right to remove any objects from cemetery property. - CONTACT: Rockville Cemetery Association if you have questions or comments regarding this Decorations Policy.
Effective March 16, 2021
The goals of the RCA niche inscription policies are to ensure that all Columbarium niche inscriptions present a clear, concise and consistent appearance that is respectful to each individual inurned and considerate of the overall appearance of the Columbarium unit. This is achieved through application of standard numbers of lines of text, font style and sizes, uniform spacing and other standards as described by the following specifications:
- Inscriptions may include up to four lines including name, birth and death dates, and
other text. - A symbol such as a cross, Jewish star, or military symbol may be included on a fifth line, to be inscribed above the name. Up to two symbols may be inscribed on this line. (If production of a symbol requires an “art” or “set up” charge, this extra charge will be the responsibility of the niche owner or his/her representative.)
- The first line of text, or the first two lines as required for longer names, shall be reserved for the name of the person inurned in the niche.
- The next line below the name shall be reserved for birth and death years, with a hyphen separating the two dates. If full birth and death dates (month, day, year) are used, the dates shall be inscribed on two lines.
• For full birth and death dates, the standard format shall be month (three-letter abbreviation with a period, except for June and July which shall be spelled completely), day (one or two digits), and year (four digits). - The standard font shall be Press Condensed Roman.
• Names shall be inscribed at 1.50” in height.
• When two lines are used for the name, the first line (first and middle names) shall be 1.25” in height, and the second line (surname) shall be 1.50” in height.
• Dates shall be inscribed at 1.0” inches in height.
• Additional text (e.g. “Beloved Wife”) shall be inscribed below the last date line at 1.0” in height.
• Symbols shall be inscribed at 1.75” inches in height, and located above the first name line.
Any deviation from these policies must be approved by the RCA Board of Directors.
Procurement and installation of headstones and grave markers are the responsibility of the lot or gravesite owner(s). Gravestones and markers must be professionally installed by a qualified contractor or person, with a proper foundation according to industry standards, so as to promote their long-term viability and stability. This includes installation of an appropriate concrete foundation to support the gravestone or marker.
Lot and gravesite owners are required to contact the Cemetery prior to placement of a headstone or marker, so the proper location may be verified and marked prior to installation of the foundation. If a gravestone or marker is installed in the wrong location, and the Cemetery was not given the opportunity to verify and mark the location, the owner(s) will be held responsible for the removal and re-installation of the gravestone or marker.
Lot and gravesite owners are responsible for the maintenance and care of headstones and markers in perpetuity. Owners are expected to maintain headstones and markers in good, stable and clean condition, and to initiate repairs or replacements should it become necessary.
Lot and gravesite owners are not allowed to plant permanent trees and shrubs on cemetery property. The Cemetery Board has learned through experience that such plantings require maintenance and care in the short-term and throughout their (often extensive) life spans. For example, if shrubs such as boxwoods are not regularly trimmed, they eventually grow large and often obscure the grave and headstone. The cemetery cannot accept these maintenance responsibilities primarily due to financial constraints.