LEELANAU TOWNSHIP CEMETERY ORDINANCE # 93-1 REVISED FOR OMENA HILCREST CEMETERY - KALCHIK RD. - OMENA, MI AND FOR LEELANAU TOWNSHIP CEMETERY - KITCHEN RD. - NORTHPORT, MI AS AMENDED 05-08-01

It is the Intent of this ordinance to promote a quiet and serene atmosphere in Township cemeteries, to establish governing rules and regulations, and to discourage vandalism, misuse, or neglect.

I. CEMETERY LOTS

1. Cemetery lots shall be regarded as sold when paid for in full. Lot owners shall understand that title to the land is vested in the Township, and that the buyer's Certificate for Burial Rights grants to the buyer exclusive use of the grave site(s) for burial purposes only.

2. If the lot owner decided to sell any gravesites, the sites must be sold to Leelanau Township, who will buy unused gravesites at one-half (50%) of the prevailing selling price. The current price is $150.00 for each gravesite.

3. All gravesites shall be oriented in an East/West direction.

4. The grade or contour of the cemetery shall not be changed by the lot owner. Walls and terraces shall not be allowed.

5. Two (2) cremation burials are permitted per gravesite.

II. INTERMENTS

1. All interments must be made under the direction of the Township Clerk or other designated official.

2. Interments may be restricted at the discretion of the Township Clerk due to inclement weather, or due to extenuating circumstances.

3. Non-perishable vaults shall be used with all burials (full burials and cremations).

4. Lot owners, or in the event of their death, there direct descendents, may grant use of grave sites to a non-relative, provided that such request is made in writing and filed with the Township Clerk.

5. In the event there is a request for use of a gravesite by someone other than the recorded owner of the lot or their descendants, proof of kinship shall be submitted in writing to the satisfaction of the Township Clerk before an interment shall be permitted.


III. GRAVE MARKERS/ MONUMENTS

1. Grave markers shall not be altered or removed.

2. Grave marker/monument foundations are required and shall have at least a four-inch (4") apron around the grave marker base even with the ground.  The Township Clerk shall oversee the placement of all markers.

3. Grave markers shall be allowed up to 4 ½ feet high and up to 16 inches from front to back.

4. Family markers shall be allowed up to 4 ½ feet high and up to 16 inches from front to back.

5. Headstones shall be placed on the west end of the gravesite. The inscription on the gravestone shall face west.

6. If two headstones are required at the gravesite, the second one, located at another site except at the west end of the lot, shall be flush with the ground.

IV. PLANTS/FLOWERS/ETC.

1. Permanent plantings shall be allowed only as permitted by the Township Clerk or Supervisor.

Trees and shrubs when planted on cemetery lots must be placed between headstones and within the row formed by adjacent headstones.

Plantings should be of a type and variety that, when mature will not overhang the lot line into the isles or adjacent lots or;
a. Can be pruned to stay within the lot lines and still look nice or,
b. If planting will overhang the lot lines, can be pruned to a height of at least seven feet above the ground and still look nice.

2. For safety reasons, artificial flowers shall be allowed from one week before Memorial Day until one week after the July 4 holiday. The family should remove the artificial arrangements or the Township Maintenance employee shall make removal.



V. ROADS

1. Motorized vehicles must remain on established roadways.

VI. PROHIBITED USES

1. All recreational activities are prohibited in both developed and undeveloped areas of Leelanau Township Cemeteries.

VII. PENALTIES

1. Violation of any provision of this Ordinance shall constitute a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed ninety (90) days, or both.

VIII. FEES

1. The charge for burials will be a direct charge from the funeral home or burial company to the family.

2. If a Township official must supervise a burial, the cost is $50.00, payable to Leelanau Township.


THE LEELANAU TOWNSHIP BOARD AMENDED THIS ORDINANCE ON MY 8, 2001 FROM THE LAST AMENDMENT DATED JULY 19, 2003. AN ATTESTED COPY IS FILED WITH THE LEELANAU COUNTY CLERK. PUBLICATION IN THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE OCCURRED ON MAY 24, 2001 WITH THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ORDINANCE BEING JUNE 24, 2001.  LEELANAU TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBERS VOTING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE ARE:

NEVE, SUPERVISOR
VAN PELT, CLERK
DUNN, TREASURER
FREDRICKSON, TRUSTEE
TONNEBERGER, TRUSTEE

BOARD MEMBERS VOTING AGAINST, NONE.

DEBORAH K. VAN PELT
LEELANAU TOWNSHIP CLERK