Policies For Owners Of Burial Space at the Eugene Masonic Cemetery, Revised May 21, 2009

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The Eugene Masonic Cemetery is a historic pioneer cemetery. In addition to historic features, the cemetery contains a valuable collection of native and heritage plants. By law, the Eugene Masonic Cemetery Association (EMCA) must place 15% of the sale price of a burial space in an endowment to support general care and maintenance. The state endowment requirement for mausoleum space is 5% of the sales price of a crypt or niche.

A gravestone design review process and the following policies are additional measures intended to ensure care of the cemetery and its important cultural and natural resources.  Further information about the design review process will be provided to all new plot owners and is available for current owners by contacting the Eugene Masonic Cemetery Association at (541) 684-0949.

Cemetery Management and Operations

1. There are fees for the purchase of burial space and services within the cemetery. Burials, gravestone placement, large (20 or above) memorial gatherings, and genealogy searches shall not take place until all fees are paid in full. Lot owners choosing a casket or shroud burial shall use the services of a licensed funeral home director. The opening/closing of a grave and graveside service fees for casket or shroud burials are paid to the funeral home.

2. The cemetery association reserves the right to change policies and prices at any time.

3. Transfer of ownership of a burial space must be recorded with the EMCA to be valid. All burials, whether initial or additional, shall be recorded with the EMCA. All lot owners are asked to keep their contact information current.

4. Burial of remains must be made with the approval of those persons having authorization as defined by state law.

5. Removal of all coffins and urns from a burial space constitutes abandonment. The EMCA shall reclaim and sell the space unless appropriate arrangements are made at the time of removal.

Cemetery Use

6. No automobile, motorcycle, truck, tractor, van, crane, skateboard, or any other vehicle and/or recreational equipment shall be permitted in the cemetery without the permission of the EMCA. Bicycles are limited to the gravel pathways.

7. It is the policy of the EMCA that all dogs must be leashed, but the EMCA cannot guarantee this for visitors. Dog owners must clean up their pets' waste and dispose of it at their personal residence or in the trash container at the hilltop near Pioneer Square.

Owners Rights and Responsibilities

8. Purchase of a single lot in the cemetery allows for the burial of a combination of one casket and two urns, or three urns.Gravestones may be the combination of one upright marker and/or small ground level markers, not to exceed three total markers per lot.

9. Grave liners for burials are not allowed within the Temple Beth Israel sections. Within the remainder of the cemetery, liners are optional. If a family chooses a liner, the purchase and installation of the liner shall be arranged through a funeral home. Shroud burials are allowed, but it is the lot owner's responsibility to check with a licensed funeral director to ensure their funeral home is willing to support this burial option.

10. All those hired by lot owners to perform work in the cemetery e.g., funeral home employees and gravestone installers are subject to the control and direction of the EMCA.

11. All graves must be dug by laborers approved by the EMCA, or employed by a licensed funeral home.

12. It is the prospective owner’s responsibility to read all cemetery policies before the purchase of burial space and to keep current with changes that may occur over time. Temple Beth Israel Garden and Meadow lot owners should keep current with the internal burial policies of Temple Beth Israel.

Landscape Design Policies

The Masonic Cemetery is a twenty-first century version of a nineteenth century idea of a "rural cemetery", in which the landscape itself is seen as the memorial to those buried within. With this in mind, the Cemetery Association has adopted an extensive long-term Landscape Management Plan that envisions a unified landscape appearance. The plan provides the needed strategies to support this vision, which overall emphasizes preservation of native plants within a natural, wooded landscape in which the tombstones appear to "fit in", rather than stand out of the landscape.

The following policies support this vision.

13. In choosing a gravestone design, owners shall keep in mind the historic nature of the cemetery and the traditional design of the existing stones. Personal graphics may not exceed more than 10% on any one side of a stone’s surface. Examples of personal graphics would include, but are not limited to, representations or symbols associated with hobbies or personal interests such as golf, boating, pets, or automobiles. Gravestones or memorials that function as benches or seats are no longer allowed.

14. For a single lot, gravestones shall not exceed 24 inches total height (including bases), 18 inches deep and 24 inches wide for a single lot or 48 inches wide for a double lot. It is strongly recommended the size of the stones be kept to a minimum so the monument contractor can easily bring the stone to the lot. Small stones will also give EMCA the ability to repair or move the stone if necessary. Only flat (flush with the ground) markers are allowed on burial space located in the areas designated as “streets” and “alleys.”

15. The EMCA Design Review Committee shall give final approval to the design and size of new gravestones, repair of curbs, and replacement gravestones on burial lots.

16. Lot owners may place fresh flowers and memorabilia (excluding candles and glass) within approximately six inches of a gravestone. Cemetery staff shall remove and dispose of cut flowers memorabilia when they become unsightly or are unsafe.

17. All landscape maintenance of individual lots before and after a burial shall be planned and implemented by cemetery staff. No one shall prune or remove any tree, shrub, or other planting within a lot or on the cemetery grounds. Vandalism is defined as, “willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property.” Unapproved maintenance by anyone may be considered vandalism and may be treated accordingly. Questions regarding lot maintenance shall be directed to the cemetery administrator.

18. The EMCA may remove any existing tree, shrub, or other planting if it is inconsistent with the cemetery’s Landscape Management Plan. If mature trees have undermined curbs and gravestones, the EMCA may choose to save the tree and repair the damage to nearby structures. If the tree is young and clearly threatens nearby gravestones and curbs, the EMCA reserves the right to remove the tree. Lot owners will be notified of any significant removal of vegetation if their current contact information is on file.

19. Power tools shall only be used by cemetery staff or EMCA contractors.

20. Herbicides and pesticides shall not be used by anyone (except cemetery staff) anywhere in the Eugene Masonic Cemetery.

The above policies consist of those last reviewed and approved on May 21, 2009.
Eugene Masonic Cemetery Association (EMCA), P.O. Box 5934, Eugene, OR 97405
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