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Rules and Regulations

The City of Elkhart Cemeteries are places of peace, remembrance, and reflection. We understand that visiting or making arrangements for a loved one can be emotional, and our goal is to help make every step feel supported, clear, and comforting.

Whether you are here to honor a family member, explore your options, or simply walk the grounds, our staff is committed to providing care, respect, and guidance. We maintain these cemeteries with great dedication so they remain beautiful, accessible, and welcoming for every family who visits.

Please use the sections below to learn about our guidelines, services, and offerings. And if you ever have questions, need help, or want someone to walk you through the process, we are here — ready to listen, ready to assist, and honored to support you during meaningful moments.

We welcome you to visit our cemeteries from sunrise to sunset to reflect, remember, and find peace.

To help maintain a respectful and serene environment for all families, we kindly ask that visitors avoid loud noises, disruptive behaviors, firearms, alcohol, or any activity that takes away from the quiet beauty of the grounds.

Your cooperation helps keep these sacred spaces safe and comforting for everyone.

Selecting a final resting place for someone you love is never easy, and we want you to know that you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our caring staff is here to gently guide you through each step, helping you choose a space that feels right and providing clear information about all available options.

Burial spaces can be purchased through the Cemetery Office and must be paid in full before services take place. We offer transparent pricing for traditional and cremation burials, mausoleum interments, Babyland services, niches, and bronze lettering. Everything is presented simply, with no hidden fees, so you can focus on honoring your loved one.

If you ever feel unsure or have questions at any point, please reach out. We’re here to support you with compassion, clarity, and genuine care during this important time.

Click here to view our current price list 

The City of Elkhart is honored to provide a dedicated Veteran’s Section and Columbarium.

Eligibility

  • Veterans may receive a burial space or niche at no charge with presentation of a DD214.
  • Companion niches can be purchased at a discounted rate at the time of interment.

General Cemetery Guidelines

To help us maintain a beautiful and safe cemetery for everyone:

  • No glass containers are permitted anywhere in the cemetery.
  • Trees, shrubs, flowers, or other permanent landscaping may not be planted.
  • Pets are welcome but must remain on a leash no longer than three feet, and owners must clean up after them.
  • The City of Elkhart is not responsible for lost, stolen, or weather-damaged decorations.
  • Decorations that violate cemetery regulations or interfere with maintenance may be removed.
  • Special event decorations require prior approval from the City.

Ground Burial Space Guidelines

We know how meaningful flowers, memorials, and personal tributes are to honoring loved ones. To keep the cemetery beautiful for all families and allow for safe mowing and maintenance, decorations must remain within the approved area surrounding the monument.

Allowed

  • Fresh or artificial flowers
  • Flower containers securely attached to the monument or foundation
  • Ground-level decorations placed within 12 inches of the front and sides of the monument foundation
  • Winter wreaths and evergreen decorations from November 20 through March 1

Not Allowed

  • Glass containers or decorations
  • Rocks, gravel, or landscape stone
  • Trees, shrubs, flowers, or permanent plantings
  • Decorative borders extending beyond the monument foundation
  • Loose containers or decorations outside the approved area
  • Benches that have not been approved by the cemetery

Fresh flowers will be removed once they become wilted or unsightly. Decorations that interfere with maintenance or fall outside the approved area may be removed without notice.

Babyland Guidelines

Babyland is one of the most cherished areas within our cemeteries. We take great care in maintaining this peaceful space and ask families to help us preserve its appearance.

Allowed

  • Small floral arrangements
  • Flowers attached to the marker within the approved decoration area

Not Allowed

  • Glass containers
  • Large toys or oversized decorations
  • Permanent landscaping or plantings
  • Decorations extending beyond the approved memorial space

Because Babyland is carefully maintained by hand, delicate items may be damaged during routine maintenance. Staff will remove only those items that interfere with maintenance or pose a safety concern.

Veteran Section Rules

We are honored to care for the final resting places of our nation's veterans and proudly partner with the Elkhart County Veteran Services Office.

To preserve the dignity and uniform appearance of the Veteran Sections, memorials and decorations must follow established guidelines.

Allowed

  • Fresh-cut flowers
  • Modest artificial floral arrangements

Not Allowed

  • Glass containers
  • Hooks, statues, solar lights, or hanging decorations
  • Items attached directly to government-issued military markers
  • Decorations that interfere with mowing or maintenance

Mausoleum & Columbarium Guidelines 

Our mausoleums and columbariums provide peaceful, dignified places of remembrance. To preserve these structures and ensure a respectful environment for all visitors, decorations are limited.

Allowed

  • Fresh or artificial flowers in approved permanent bronze vase holders
  • Porcelain photographs
  • Bronze emblems
  • Official veteran emblems or military markers
  • Inside mausoleums, flowers or framed photographs on the provided vase tables (maximum height of 5 inches)

Not Allowed

  • Glass containers
  • Balloons, wind chimes, flags, or signs
  • Adhesive decorations attached to granite or bronze
  • Plants, shrubs, or landscaping around the building
  • Decorations that obstruct walkways or neighboring crypts or niches

Please remember that these are shared memorial spaces. Decorations should remain respectful and not interfere with surrounding memorials.

Questions?

If you are unsure whether a decoration or memorial is permitted, please contact the City of Elkhart Cemetery Office before placing it. We are happy to help families honor their loved ones while preserving the beauty and serenity of our cemeteries.

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To help keep our cemetery grounds beautiful and well-maintained for all families, our annual clean-up takes place once a each year:

  • March 1st - 7th 

During these periods, all decorations will be respectfully removed so staff can safely clean and prepare the grounds. Families are encouraged to retrieve sentimental items before clean-up begins.

Thank you for helping us care for these sacred spaces with dignity, respect, and love.

Please contact office for monument rules and regulations

While we care deeply for the upkeep and beauty of our cemeteries, the City of Elkhart Cemetery Department cannot assume responsibility for items that may become lost, stolen, weather-damaged, or affected by routine maintenance.

 We respectfully encourage families to avoid placing irreplaceable or highly sentimental items at gravesites, as our goal is always to maintain safe, well-kept grounds for everyone who visits.

Thank you for taking the time to review our guidelines and services. We are truly honored to serve you and your family with compassion and care.

If you have questions, need assistance, or simply want someone to walk you through any part of the process, please reach out  we are here to help.

We hope your visits to our cemeteries bring comfort, peace, and connection.