Davis Cemetery District: FAQ

What are interment rights?
When you purchase cemetery plots you, in fact, purchase the right to designate who may be interred or entombed in the plot, rather than purchasing the grave, plot or lot itself, which remains the property and the responsibility of the District. Interment rights include the right to place a marker or monument, the size of which is subject to District rules and regulations. A portion of the purchase price of all interment rights is invested to an irrevocable Endowment Care fund. Income from this fund is used to provide regular care and maintenance activities in the cemetery. All burial rights are subject to the cemetery rules and regulations, as well as the California Health and Safety Code.
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What is the purpose of the Endowment Care?
The Davis Cemetery District manages an Endowment Care Fund to ensure that there will be monies available to maintain the cemetery in the future. The establishment and management of an endowment care program is mandated by the California Health and Safety Code. It is our objective to care for and maintain our cemetery in a manner in which you and the community can take pride. 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. Regular care and maintenance activities include: mowing turf, pruning trees and shrubs, repairing and expanding irrigation systems, roads and drainage systems, etc.
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What is an interment right holder?
An interment right holder is the person(s) who own interment rights in a cemetery, mausoleum, or columbarium. The interment rights holder has the right to specify who may be interred or entombed in the grave/lot/urn space/crypt or niche provided that the eligibility requirements, as defined in the California Health and Safety Code, are met. Written permission from the interment rights holder(s) is required prior to each interment or entombment.
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What are my choices for in-ground interment?
We currently offer conventional plots for casket interment as well as an area of smaller plots exclusively for cremation. Raised monuments are permitted on MOST casket plots; cremation plots are restricted to flush markers only. The District does not require the installation of markers and/or monuments but does reserve the right to regulate the size, materials, and method of setting should a family choose to have a monument installed. "Companion crypt" burials, where 2 caskets are interred in a single plot, are becoming more and more popular.
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Single Grave
A single grave can, in most cases accommodate two casket interments, one at extra depth and the other at standard depth. The Davis Cemetery District draws a distincion between "flush marker plots" and "raised monument" plots. The right to place a progressively larger and taller monument on a given plot is reflected in higher plot and endowment fees.
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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? The Davis 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 plot types will accommodate all monuments. The Davis Cemetery District 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 as well as the cemetery's web site.
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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 factors as whether or not there will be an open casket with viewing of the body (currently NOT permitted on cemetery property); if the body is to be transported by air or rail; the length of time prior to interment, etc.
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Is a casket required?
No. We are currently reviewing a variety of "green burial" options. Please contact our staff for more details.
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Can I inter cremated remains in a grave?
Yes. We have a special cremation section with both large cremation plots (accommodates 2 sets of ashes) and small cremation plots (accommodates 1 set of ashes). There are also large cremation plots scattered throughout the "old/historical side" of the cemetery. Cremation plots can accommodate only flush markers. However, cremated remains may also be interred in a casket plot. One casket plot can accommodate as many as 3 cremated remains. On designated casket plots, raised markers may be placed. However, the monument(s) on the grave or lot is still limited in size. If many inscriptions are desired, you should take that into consideration in the design of your momument. 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.
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What if I prefer casket burial, but my spouse prefers cremation?
This need not be a problem. One solution is to purchase a casket grave, which would allow for the interment of a casket followed by an urn containing cremated remains.
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What is included in the interment fee?
The interment fee includes administration and permanent recordkeeping (determining ownership, obtaining permission and the completion of other documentation which may be required, entering interment particulars in the interment register, maintaining all legal files); opening and closing the grave (locating the grave and laying out the boundaries, excavating and filling the interment space); levelling, tamping, re-grading and sodding of the grave-site; levelling and resodding of the grave after the earth settles. Any other supplies/and or services which may be required at the time of an interment would be an additional cost.
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Must I put a memorial marker on my grave?
No. The Davis Cemetery District does not mandate the placement of a marker or monument on a grave site. In general we do not permit the placement of a marker or monument on a grave site until at least one interment has been done into the plot in question. Should a family choose to have a marker or monument installed on a plot the District reserves the right to regulate the size and most aspects of how the monument is set. The California Health and Safety Code prohibits public cemeteries from participating in the sale of markers and monuments.
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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. We recommend waiting at least 2 weeks to give the ground time to adequately settle.
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May I put a small hedge or fence around my grave?
Not unless you are purchasing a large "family plot" area consisting of multiple grave sites, in which case you may speak with cemetery staff to negotiate special arrangements. 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.
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May I put flowers on my grave?
Either natural or artificial flowers may be placed on graves providing appropriate containers are used. Please do not use glass or pottery containers since they are easily broken, and become a safety hazard to both visitors and staff. During mild weather district employees mow the turf areas at least once a week and must be able to operate the large riding mowers efficiently. This often means removing large floral arrangements that spill over beyond the vicinity of the monument.
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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 away 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. Glass and plastic candleholders left on the grave will be removed. Such items are easily broken and once again pose a safety hazard.
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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.
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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, his/her estate retains ownership of the interment rights. Any future interments, transfers, etc., would require legal documentation to be filed at the Davis Cemetery office. Joint Tenants are two or more individuals owning interment rights. Upon the death of an interment rights holder, the surviving interment rights holder, his/her estate retains ownership of the interment rights. Again, any further activity with these interment rights will require the filing of legal documentation with the Davis Cemetery District. Legal requirements and the Cemeteries Act require us to obtain written authorization from the interment rights holder(s) for permission and/or direction before any interment rights can be utilized.
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Can someone other than the interment rights holder be interred in a grave?
Yes. Anyone may be interred in any grave with the permission of the interment rights holder(s) provided they meet the eligibility requirements laid out in the California Health and Safety Code.
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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). Again, any such allocation must meet the eligibility requirements as set forth in the California Health and Safety Code.
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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 a third party. This would require you to surrender your Interment Rights Certificate to the Davis Cemetery District so that the transfer of ownership may be recorded.You may also sell your interment rights back to the District for exactly what you paid for them. Please contact our staff for further details.
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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 Davis 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. 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 Davis Cemetery District is most important.
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May I make necessary arrangements in advance?
Yes. Some arrangements may be made in advance. You may reserve a plot for future use by paying the plot and endowment fees. (At this time, we do not accept funds for opening and vault until the actual time of use. However, we anticipate that soon such funds may be paid "pre-need" if you choose to do so. Please watch the press or contact cemetery staff to stay abreast of this.) By planning 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 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.
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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, entombment, cremation or memorial service. This would include the completion of all necessary documents to carry out the interment, entombment 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, mausoleum or crematorium. The provision of more traditional funeral services (such as embalming, casket selections, visitation and the rental of vehicles for a procession to the cemetery, mausoleum or crematorium) is only available from funeral homes.
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May I use the chapel?
We currently do not have a chapel facility. For graveside services, we provide an awning and a small number of folding chairs at the grave site upon request. All other arrangements (for clergy, etc) are up to the family.
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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.
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How can I get more information?
The staff of the Davis Cemetery would be pleased to answer any questions you might have, without obligation. The cemetery office can be extremely busy on occasion. You may wish to make an appointment, at your convenience, to ensure a minimum of delay. We can be reached at 530-756-7807. Our office hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday thru Friday. The office is closed on the weekends and on those holidays observed by Yolo County.
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