Question 1

Why isn’t my Certificate of Burial Rights, or Certificate of Entombment Rights called a “Deed”?

Accepted Answer

When you buy a grave, urn plot, or niche you haven’t actually bought a piece of property. You’ve bought the right to be buried in a particular space, whether a full-body grave, urn plot, or a niche for cremated remains.

Question 2

Are the opening fees included in the purchase of memorial property?

Accepted Answer

Interment/entombment fees are not included with the purchase of memorial property. These fees are paid at the time of the funeral service.

Question 3

How many interments are permitted in a grave?

Accepted Answer

A full-size grave at Newtown Village Cemetery will accommodate one full body per grave and one cremated remain. Or, you may inter up to four cremated remains per a single grave. All caskets are required to be placed in either a liner, concrete vault or steel vault. This vault is not provided by the cemetery. It may be purchased through the funeral home at the time of service. The cremated remains will be placed in an urn vault. This type of vault will be provided by the cemetery and is an additional cost.

Question 4

What are my options for cremated remains?

Accepted Answer

For those who have decided on cremation, Newtown Village Cemetery offers in ground cremation plots for your loved one’s cremated remains. A cremation plot will accommodate up to two cremated remains. A flush marker 1' tall x 2' wide x 4" deep is permitted to memorialize your loved ones. Or, you may choose to purchase a single grave which will accommodate up to four cremation remains. At a single grave you are permitted to have installed an upright monument at the head of the grave. The association is in the planning stages of offering columbarium niches as another alternative for cremated remains.

Question 5

The original owner is now deceased, how do I update the ownership records to establish myself as a current heir?FAQ

Accepted Answer

Contact our President or Superintendent to review or update the ownership records associated with a grave(s), urn plot, or niche. Burial rights are transferred from one generation to another at time of death unless specifically specified otherwise in a will. The descendants of the original lot owner are required to file an Heirship Affidavit (family tree) with the cemetery to identify the current owners, thereby granting them burial rights in the property.

Question 6

May a co-owner (or heir) release his or her interest in a lot?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only to the other co-owner(s) or current heir(s) of the lot. The cemetery will prepare a Release of Rights Affidavit for the co-owner or heir to sign in the presence of a notary public.

Question 7

Who may authorize a burial in a grave, cremation plot, or niche?

Accepted Answer

If the deceased is the original owner (or current heir), anyone can sign. If the deceased is a non-owner (or not a current heir), all existing owners (or current heirs) must sign. If the deceased is a spouse of the original owner, anyone can sign. If the deceased is listed in a Designation Affidavit, anyone can sign.

Question 8

If I am the original owner or sole heir, who besides myself, has the right to be interred in the property?

Accepted Answer

Your husband or wife, your children and your parents have the right to be buried there during your lifetime. After your death, your husband or wife will continue to have this right, except where all available space has been previously designated by you for the burial of others. Also after your death, it is strongly suggested that your surviving children/heirs file an Heirship Affidavit to bring the heirs of the property current. This document will be prepared by Newtown Village Cemetery.

Question 9

In addition to my surviving spouse, children, and my parents, may anyone else be interred in the lot?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You may designate specific individuals to be interred in specific graves – who may be interred there during your lifetime and/or after your death through the filing of a Designation Affidavit. In making such a designation you may make it Revocable during your lifetime, or you may make it Non-revocable. This document will be prepared by Newtown Village Cemetery.

Question 10

Should I name the individuals that should inherit my burial property when I make my Will?

Accepted Answer

That is a personal decision and is usually done only if you do not wish specific descendants to become the current owners (or heirs). If this is the case, you must specifically name each individual you do wish to inherit the burial rights in your Will. A certified copy of such a Will must be filed in the office at Newtown Village Cemetery.

Question 11

May I change the names of persons I have previously designated for burial?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only if your designation is Revocable. If the designation is non-revocable you may do so only if the designated individual(s) has died and is interred elsewhere, or have relinquished the right of interment through a notarized document prepared by Newtown Village Cemetery.

Question 12

We are no longer living in Connecticut and would like to sell back the property.  Is this possible?

Accepted Answer

The current lot owner will need to contact Newtown Village Cemetery in writing. No sale or transfer of any grave(s), cremation plot or niche is valid without the written consent of Newtown Village Cemetery. No lot holder is permitted to sell or transfer his/her grave(s), urn plot or niche to a family member or third party. Newtown Village Cemetery, may, at its discretion, repurchase unused graves, in-ground urn plots or niches from authorized lot holders or heirs at the original purchase price less a twenty-five (25%) transfer fee. Documents will be prepared by Newtown Village Cemetery for lot owner to sign.

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Gregory Smith

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