Suisun Fairfield Rockville Cemetery District

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

What are interment rights?

 

When you purchase interment rights, you in fact purchase the right to designate who may be interred or entombed in the space, rather than purchasing the grave/plot or niche itself, which remains the property and the responsibility of the cemetery. Interment rights include the right to place a memorial. A portion of the purchase price of all interment rights is contributed to an irrevocable fund-Endowment Care fund. Income from this fund is used to provide regular care and maintenance activities in the cemetery. All interment rights are

subject to the Cemetery Rules and Regulations

 

Suisun Fairfield Rockville Cemetery District 4219 Suisun Valley Rd., Fairfield, CA 94534.

admin@solanocemeteries.us

 

 

What is the purpose of the Endowment Care?

 

The Endowment Care fee was first introduced to ensure that there would be monies available to maintain our cemeteries in the future. To that end we set aside substantially more than the minimum required by law, to ensure that essential services are provided at the standards you expect and to which you are entitled.
  It is our objective to care for and maintain our cemeteries in a manner in which you and the community can take pride. Regular care and maintenance include: cutting grass, re-grading, planting and caring for trees, water supply systems, roads, drainage, etc.  

 

What is an interment rights holder?

 
An interment rights holder is the person(s) who own interment rights in a cemetery, mausoleum, or columbarium. The interment rights holder has the right to specify eligible family members who may be interred or entombed in the grave/plot or niche. Written permission from the interment rights holder(s) is required prior to each interment
 

 
What are my choices in ground interment?

 

Most common are single graves, and plots composed of two or more graves.

 
 

Single Grave

 

A single grave can, in most cases accommodate two casket interments, one at extra depth and the

other at standard depth or 6 cremation urns.

 
 

 Urn Space

 

 

Urn spaces are available for those who have chosen cremation, but still prefer the traditional interment of cremated remains. These interment rights will accommodate up to six urns containing cremated remains. The number of inscriptions should be taken into consideration in the design of your memorial. The most common form of memorial is a granite or bronze marker set flush with the ground.

 

 

How do I choose the appropriate interment rights?

 
Because this is a very important purchase, many things must be considered. What kind of memorial do you prefer? How many interments are expected to take place? Is cremation desired? If so, what is to be done with the cremated remains? Do you want the interment rights to accommodate the interment of both cremated remains and caskets? How much do you want to spend on the interment rights and the required services? Suisun Fairfield Rockville Cemetery District strongly recommends all purchasers of interment rights see the site before buying. Please consider the memorial carefully before purchasing interment rights, since not all types will permit all memorials. For example, if you wish a flat marker set flush with the ground, depending on the amount of interment space required, a single grave may be your best choice. We will make every effort to provide interment rights for all wishes and budgets. A complete list, with specific price information, is available from the cemetery office.

 
 

Does a body have to be embalmed before it is interred?

 
No. Embalming is not a requirement in California. It is entirely your choice, and may depend on such favors as whether or not there will be an open casket with viewing of the body; if the body is to be transported by air or rail; the length of time prior to interment, etc.
 

 
 

Is a casket required?

 

No. What is required is an enclosed, rigid container to allow for the dignified handling of human remains

Can I inter cremated remains in a grave?

 

Yes. Cremated remains may also be interred in a grave. One grave can accommodate many cremated remains. However, the memorial on the grave or plot is still limited in size. If many inscriptions are desired, you should take that into consideration in the design of your memorial. Even graves which no longer have room for casket interments, can accommodate the interment of one or more urns. If space permits on the marker and with the permission of the interment rights holder(s), you may be able to add an

additional inscription on an existing marker.

 

What if I prefer interment, but my spouse prefers cremation?

 

This need not be a problem. One solution is to purchase a grave, which would allow for the interment of a casket

 or container as well as an urn containing cremated remains.

 
Must I put a memorial on my grave?

 

How soon after an interment may I place a memorial?

 
This is entirely a matter of choice. The memorial can be ordered as early or as late as you like. Most memorials can also be ordered in advance of need.
 

May I put a small hedge or fence around my grave?

 
No. Consideration must be given to adjoining interment rights holders, the maintenance of such an arrangement, and general appearance. Enclosures tend to become forgotten over time, and the cemetery is then faced with the problem of maintaining or removing them. Planting and other restrictions have been put in place to safeguard the rights and privileges of all interment rights holders.
 

May I leave a candle burning at the grave?

 

You are welcome to light a candle while you are visiting the grave site, provided you extinguish it and take it with you. Please do not leave a burning candle at the grave when you leave. An unattended flame poses a great safety hazard to both visitors and staff, as well as to the surrounding property.

Candleholders left on the grave will be removed

 

May more than one person own the interment rights on the same grave?

 

Yes. Interment rights can be owned by one person, or by more than one person

 as joint tenants or as tenants-in-common.

 

 

Can someone other than the interment rights holder be interred in a grave?

 

Yes. Any eligible family member or resident may be interred in any grave with the

permission of the interment rights holder(s).

 

What is the difference between the various types of ownership?

 

 

Sole ownership means one individual, the interment rights holder, owns the interment rights. Upon the death of the interment rights holder, their estate retains ownership of the interment rights. Any future interments, transfers, etc, would require legal documentation to be filed at the Suisun Fairfield Rockville Cemetery District. Joint tenants are two or more individuals owning interment rights. Again, any further activity with these interment rights will require the filing of legal documentation with the Cemetery District. Legal requirements and the Cemeteries Act require us to obtain written authorization from the interment rights holder(s) for

permission and direction before any interment rights can be utilized.

 

May I designate the future use of my interment rights now?

 
Certainly. You may make allocation for future use of both interment space and inscription space on an existing memorial. Allocations may be changed or cancelled at any time by the current interment rights holder(s).

 

May I sell interment rights to someone else?

 
No. The Cemeteries Act prohibits the private resale of interment rights. You may, however, transfer your interment rights to an eligible third party. This would require you to surrender your Interment Rights Certificate to the Cemetery District so that the transfer of ownership may be recorded.

 

What will happen to the remaining interment spaces when I die?

 
Interment rights held by a person who dies, become part of the estate of the deceased. It is, therefore, important to contact the Cemetery District as soon as possible following the death of the interment rights holder(s) to establish signing authority relative to the future use of the interment rights according to Section 7100 of the Health and Safety Code. Certain documentation will be required, and since these vary according to the type of ownership and whether or not a will exists, a call to the Cemetery District is most important.

 

May I make necessary arrangements in advance?

 
Yes. All arrangements may be made in advance. When you plan ahead you will be able to consider the many options available for commemorating a life. You will have the opportunity to make an informed decision about your funeral and cemetery arrangements, and the form of memorial you prefer. You will be able to make choices that are meaningful to both you and your family, and you will gain peace of mind knowing your family and friends will be relieved of the emotional and financial burden often associated with making arrangements when a death occurs. By pre-arranging your funeral and cemetery services, you benefit by purchasing it at today's prices, free from inflationary pressures in the future. Whether or not you choose to purchase in advance, we recommend that you discuss your preferences with your family before you finalize them. Not doing so can cause anxiety if your wishes conflict with what your family or survivors feel is appropriate

 

Do I have to use a funeral director?

 

No. In fact, California law permits people to look after all arrangements themselves, provided all legal requirements (permits, certificates, etc.) are met. Some organizations known as transfer services will provide a simple, dignified internment, cremation or memorial service. This would include the completion of all necessary documents to carry out the interment or cremation, provision of a simple container to enclose the body, removal of the deceased from the place of death, and transportation to the cemetery. The provision of more traditional funeral services (such as embalming, casket selections, visitation and the rental of vehicles for a

procession to the cemetery) is only available from funeral homes.

 
 

 

 

 

 

How can I be sure my wishes will be followed?

 

Clear, written instructions should be given to the person who will be responsible for your funeral and cemetery arrangements. In California, they are not legally binding. Under current law, the final decision will rest with your executor(s), even taking precedence over the nearest relatives' choice. It is important, therefore, to choose a person whom you can trust to carry out your wishes.

 

 

 May I put flowers on my grave?

 
  Either natural or artificial flowers may be placed on graves providing the required metal flower container is used. Please do not use glass or pottery containers since they are easily broken, and become a safety hazard to both visitors and staff.
 

 
No. For identification, each grave or plot is marked with an engraved flower vase.

 

  
The Stone Chapel at the Rockville Cemetery is available for committal, funeral or memorial services. Use of the Stone Chapel is included in the burial services at no cost. You are welcome to visit our Chapel to decide if it meets your requirements. To make arrangements, please call the cemetery office.

 

 

 

 

 
          How can I get more information?

 

 
The staff at both the Suisun Fairfield Cemetery and the Rockville Cemetery would be pleased to answer any questions you might have, without obligation. The cemetery offices can be extremely busy on occasion; you may wish to make an appointment at your convenience to ensure a minimum of delay.

May I use the Rockville Stone Chapel?