1997-04-10CITY OF BEVERLY
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
MEMO
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To: Board of Ccmctcry
From: Peter ~v~msm~, Cimt
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The next meefi_'_n~ of the Board of Cenc~ete~yMann~ets was set for Wednesday,
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! 998 Program of Activi.~_
The Board of Cemetery Managers is reviewing several initiatives for priodtization
and action this year. These initiatives are possible because heretofore the Board felt
constrained by the budget limitations inherent in a money draining operation. This list is
probably not exhaustive, but it does provide insight into the things now possible for the
Beverly Cemetery System.
a. Trees: Substantial tree pruning and removal will take place this Winter and
Spring. The Board envisions spending an equal amount each year for the next
two years. After removing all dead and dying trees, there will be a need for
· well selected and positioned new trees in each of the three active cemeteries.
Our hope is to budget for new trees in coming years. Last year, two families
came forward wishing to plant trees in Central Cemetery. These two trees have
added nicely to an otherwise barren section of the cemetery. We would like to
formalize a program of tree donation for cemeteries through either direct
donation of trees or donations to a tree fund. Further work on this front is
required.
b. Benches: A suggestion has been made that the Cemetery Department install
benches in cemeteries for rest and quiet contemplation. These benches might
be coordinated with the trees planted as discussed above. We want to be
careful that benches are used appropriately and that they do not attract
loitering and "horse play". Again, the Board is exploring donations and
considering placement options.
c. Reclamation of overgrown areas: Several areas within our cemeteries, and
certainly around the perimeter of all cemeteries, have been allowed to grow
wild. aside from the obvious cosmetic harm, there may well be opportunities
for capacity expansion into some of these areas. At the least, cemeteries will
have a more cared for look if better kept. The board needs to define the areas
to be reclaimed, prioritize the list and develop an action plan.
d. Fence repair: Fences surrounding the cemeteries need evaluation for structural
integrity, missing sections and routine maintenance. At Central Cemetery, the
chain link fencing at the intersection of Hale and Lothrop Streets sets an
"industrial" tone at an important focal point in the city. Fencing is incomplete
along Cabot Street at North Beverly and fences are bent at the Hart Street gate
to Beverly Farms Cemetery. These specific observations and others to be
developed with a fencing inventory will guide the Board of Cemetery
Managers direct the fence repair effort.
e. Remediation of turf conditions: All Beverly Cemeteries are built on filled land.
Some of the material used appears to discourage healthy grass growth.
Additionally, Winter grave backfill material was taken from the road salt-sand
mix available from the Public Works lot. These conditions are most apparent in
the newer, more ffequen~y visited sections of our cemeteries which sets the
impression many get of the condition of the cemeteries. An appraisal of the turf
is needed and an action plan developed. Among suggestions presented are
re, seeding these newer areas, addition of lime and fertilizer, and installation of
sprinklers systems.
CITY OF BEVERLY
BOARD OF CEMETERY MANAGERS
SUBJECT: BURIAL VAULTS AND GRAVE BOX LINERS
We know that the City has a so-called "Vault Requirement" which means a
Burial Vault is required for all burial within the City of Beverly Cemeteries. Some of us
know how this requirement came to be and for those of you that do not, it was started by
the former Cemetery Superintendent without the approval or vote of the existing Board. of
Managers at the time. So therefore 1 feel that we are obligated to vote on this issue after
spending almost one year debating it. But before we vote I would like for all of you to
read the following information and look at the survey that I have done then come to your
own decisions before we vote.
The Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule states by definition that there are
two type of"Outer Burial Containers"
1 ) a grave liner box, constructed of reinforced concrete, with a two piece cover
that fits flat onto the box itself.
2) A burial vault which must be lined and must seal to be considered a vault
According to the National Concrete Burial Vault Association, their definition of a
grave liner box is a burial receptacle placed in thee ground, in either a sectional or box
form that supports the weight of the earth to prevent the grave from collapsing. A Burial
Vault is defined a lined and sealed burial .receptacle which performs all the functions ofa
grave liner box, but in addition is designed using the lining and sealing materials too
reduce or help eliminate the intrusion of exterior materials. I.e. water, dirt, moisture.
Often, cemeteries require some type of outer burial container to enclose the casket
in the grave. The casket is placed into either a vault or liner box to prevent the grave
from collapsing as the casket deteriorates. A grave liner box is made of reinforced
concrete, a burial vault is more substantial and expensive and sold for its visual appeal
and ones' personal piece of mind knowing that a loved ones' remains are protected from
the elements of the earth.
The following list represents some of the local cemeteries in the area that are both
city or town owned and privately owned corporations. Together they total over 4,500
burials per year.
St. Mary's' Cemetery Beverly and Salem 450
Holy Cross Cemetery Malden 550
Puritan Lawn Peabody 475
Mt Auburn Cemetery Cambridge 575
Greenlawn Cemetery Salem 325
Cedar Grove Cemetery Peabody 280
St Josephs and St Marys Lynn 425
Archdiocese of Greater Boston
St. Michael's, St. Joseph's, Holy Hood, 625
Oak Grove Malden 475
Pine Grove Cemetery Lynn 325
Annunciation Cemetery Danvers 200
Walnut Grove Cemetery Danvers 180
Oakdale Cemetery Middleton 125
The National Cemetery Bourne, MA 850
None of the cemeteries listed above have a Vault Requirement. When speaking
with the various cemetery personnel either superintendent, worker, or office help and
asked ifthey had any problems with graves caving in as a result of using grave liner
boxes they all stated that occasionally they would have a grave cave in, but found it to be
an old sectional ( 6 sided) liner and not the two piece cover type. When asked why they
did not require a vault the majority stated that they felt they could not put a family in the
position to buy something they did not want nor could afford. Other reasons were
because the cemetery themselves sold liner boxes and it was a source of income to them.
Of all the cemeteries this side of and including Greater Boston there are only five
cemeteries that require vaults and they are Topsfield, Hamilton, Wenham, Manchester:
by-the- Sea and Beverly.
It is of my personal feeling that the City of Be~'erly also should not be in a
position to have families buy something that the majority does not want nor can they.
afford.
I have also supplied all of you with a price sheet of what Vaults cost the ~nsumer. I feel
that the 'problems that we have been having with cave-ins in our cemeteries is a direct
result of the improper backfilling techniques that were used in the past by our former
superintendent and that this requirement was made not to better the cemeteries but for the
betterment of him. As a funeral professional I have to be careful not to conflict with
ethics, but as a citizen of Beverly a lot owner and Chairman of this Board, I feel that it is
my obligation to inform you the members of the Board of Managers just what has gone
on in the past. I will gladly tell anyone or all of you, but it is something that I will not
and cannot put in writing.
Resp~,c.,t lly, ~
Board of Cemetery Managers
tvtusgrove canary lvtonuanes - vaults Page I at 2
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In most areas of the country, state or local law does not require that you buy a container
surround the casket in the grave. However, many cemeteries require that you have such a
container so the grave will not sink. Either a grave liner or a burial vault will satisfy these
requirements.
Wiibert Bronze Vault
~ '~ Specially formulated high-strength concrete
] ~ Seemless ABS exterior membrane on entire base of vault
-~ 32 ounce bronze external overlay on cover
~ Interior metal liner of 16 ounce bronze
-~ Exclusive butyl/tape tongue and groove sealing system
-~ Sealed with SUPERSEAL
~ Unit weight in excess of 3000 lbs
~ 100 year warranty backed by W'dbert Trust Fund
Copper Triune Vault
~ Heavy concrete construction in the base and cover
i~ Seemless ABS TRILON inner base and cover
J Interior finishing liner of 16 ounce copper
~ Patented UNIDEX bonding of both inner liners
· ~ Solid copper cover carapace with plated wreath
and nameplate
~ a Precision fit tongue and groove seal
~ Sealed with all weather SUPERSEAL
' a Unit weight in excess of 3000 lbs
-~ 75 year warranty backed by Wilbert Trust Fund
SSTFFriune Vault
.~ Extra heavy concrete construction in the base and cover
-~ Seemless ABS TRILON inner base and cover
"---r~-" J Interior finishing liner of 26 gauge stainless steel
J Stainless steel cover carapace with plated wreath and :: '.,',~!i
! nameplate "
-.' Precision fit tongue and groove seal
· -, Sealed with SUPERSEAL
J 75 year warranty backed by Wilbert Trust Fund
Venetian Vault
[ d Extra heavy concrete construction in the base and cover ]
http ://www. musgroves. corn/vaults. html 4/5/98
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U~que ~S ~ELON ~ver ~apa~ ~th Gothic
arch design and nameplate
Pr~ision fit tongue and groove s~!
S~l~ with ~!-w~ther S~ERSEAL
75 y~r wa~nty b~k~ by Wilben Trust Fund
Heritage Vault
H~ ~ncrete ~nst~on
S~mless high impact polystyrene lid and ~ver
Casket type ~dles
Deluxe nameplate ~d emblems
Tonic and groove ~1
50 y~r ~W back~ by Tfig~d Burial V~lt Co.
High stren~h ~n~ction
ST~NTEX i~er liner
Tonic in ~oove
50 y~ w~ty by Wilben Trust Fund
Oxford VaSt
H~ rancrete ~mtmction
S~mless Mgh impact poly~ene lid ~d ~ver
Tonic ~d ~oove s~
50 y~ w~ back~ by T~g~d Bu~ Vault Co.
Concrete Dome Liner
One pi~ b~e ~d lid (not desired to s~l)
("~,nct-:, ¢. (; e
B~e ~d lid (not desi~ to s~l)
Concrete Sectional Liner
(not designed to s~)
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Web D~ign by Funcm~C!
~nd Mail to:
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http://w~v.musgroves.com/vaults.html 4/5/98