Commerce Burial Policy here
BURIAL:
1. Coffin and vaults are required. Any human remains being buried in any cemetery maintained by the city shall be placed in a coffin and the coffin shall be placed in a sealed vault.
2. The human remains only shall be buried in any cemetery maintained by the city.
3. Burial of human remains in one lot shall be either with one vault and one casket, or burial of cremation remains in urn, with vault and two cremation remains may be placed in one lot.
4. The City of Commerce requires a minimum of one business days' notice prior to marking any gravesite. All gravesites must be identified and marked exclusively by the Commerce GIS Department before any excavation begins. Any digging or ground disturbance conducted without prior authorization from the City may result in fines. Upon proper notification that a grave space will be needed, the Commerce GIS Department shall have up to twenty-four (24) hours to locate and mark the designated site. The City of Commerce is not responsible for delays resulting from insufficient or late notification.
5. The City of Commerce does not open or close graves. All grave lot openings must be approved by the City, and only a professional burial services company may perform the opening. Funeral homes are responsible for verifying the correct grave location with the City before any grave lot is opened for burial.
a. Funeral homes must notify the City of all scheduled burials by completing the digital Cemetery Notification Form available at www.commercega.gov/cemetery.
b. Upon receiving proper notification, the City will flag the appropriate lot prior to any grave opening. Notification must be provided at least twenty‑four (24) hours in advance of the scheduled burial to allow the City sufficient time to accurately mark the site.
c. The City will make every reasonable effort to mark gravesites promptly upon notification and will complete marking on the next business day when applicable
d. For burials scheduled on Saturday or Sunday, the City must receive notification no later than 2:00 p.m. on the preceding Friday.
e. In accordance with Ordinance Section 22‑10, ‘Permits for Interment and Disinterment,’ a no‑cost permit will be issued to the funeral home for the opening of the gravesite as identified by the Commerce GIS Department.
f. Any exception to this policy may be granted only by the City Clerk.
6. Graves shall be dug to a depth sufficient to allow minimum ground cover of twenty-four inches. Opened gravesites must have soil returned to the site fully compacted to prevent settling. If settling occurs within 1 year, the cost is charged to the original permit holder. All area where turf is disturbed shall be repaired by the party responsible for turf removal or damage. Repairs shall require proper soil replacement and turf installation. Topsoil, not clay, shall be used as a base for turf to allow proper growth. Areas where it is necessary to remove turf/soil from a lot/plot, all turf/soil must be placed in a city designated area.
7. Name of person buried in cemetery lot is required for official record of the city; deed of lot will be given to person purchasing lot.
Policy Acknowledgment & Liability Waiver
I, the undersigned, hereby acknowledge that I have received, fully reviewed, and understand the City of Commerce’s policy as presented above. I agree to abide by all provisions set forth in the policy without exception.
I further agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, I will not hold the City of Commerce, its officers, employees, or agents liable for any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising from my actions or participation, unless caused by the City’s intentional misconduct or gross negligence.