Headstones and Momuments

The cemetery staff installs foundations and level and seeds sites a full 6 months after the interment of a loved one. For example: If a loved one passes away in January, their grave won’t be touched until the month July. The total process generally occurs within a year of the burial.

The process starts with the family choosing a local monument company to manufacture a headstone that meets the standards of the Cemetery. Mount Olive has strict rules and requirements as to the size and style of memorials. Prior to production of the headstone the monument company will send the cemetery a drawing with the dimensions and layout for approval. The cemetery will review the request to ensure that the size is correct. It is the responsibility of the family to ensure the spelling and dates are correct. When the stone is completed, it will be delivered to the cemetery and placed at the grave by the monument company. Headstones are not usually delivered to the cemetery during the winter months, as the cement for the foundation of a monument cannot be poured during that time.

The process of creating a headstone is long and exacting. Please be sure to ask the monument dealer when the stone will be completed so that enough time for the delivery of a quality gravestone is allowed.

It is customary to inscribe the Hebrew name of the deceased, his/her father’s Hebrew name, and the Hebrew date of passing, on the monument.

Only inscriptions that honor and respect the deceased will be accepted.

  1. Monuments may not exceed forty-eight inches (48″) in height- base and die combined. Section requirements vary see headstone rules.
  2. Management strongly suggests a minimum waiting period of six months before a foundation can be prepared.
  3. The normal process of ordering a headstone may take four to six months. Special permission for exceptions in stone design may take even longer. Please plan accordingly.
  4. Headstones of any material other than granite are not permitted unless permission is specifically granted.
  5. No monuments or headstones will be accepted until a drawing showing the material, design, finish, size, and purposed inscription has the approval of the executive director.
  6. All monument dedications (unveilings) must be planned through the cemetery office. The office requests at least two weeks advanced notice to ensure the site is properly prepared.
  7. Installation of foundations shall be done by the cemetery. There is a uniform fee for such work that is paid by the granite dealer who includes it in their bill to the purchaser of the headstone.
  8. When a double monument is to be installed, cemetery burial charges for the un-used grave must be prepaid. At such time that the second person requires interment, there may be a uniform fee to move the double monument, remove the foundation, and at the proper time, rebuild the foundation and reset the monument.

  9. Top–minimum two (2”) inch polished, saw-cut, or rock
    Front nosing-minimum two (2’) inches
    No Western Slants

    Stone sizes represent maximum in each section.
    Smaller sizes and flush monuments accepted

    Apply rounded corners on all bases is preferred.

 

(These rules apply to ALL monuments in the sections above.)

Monument Size Regulations

Some entities are included in more than one section below.

Sections: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 35

Stone and Base height over all 4′-0″ max

Singles and Doubles
Stone thickness 10″ max
All above ground stones in these sections must have a base.

Section: 21

Stone and base maximum overall height 3’0”

Singles and Doubles
Stone thickness 10″ max
All above ground stones in these sections must have a base

Sections:  50, 51, 52, 110-113, 117,118, 119, 120, 300*, 400, 500, 600B, 600C, 600D, 601, 602, 603, 610  

Singles
Singles Slant Size: 2′ 0″ x 1’0″ x 1′ 6″
Base Size: 2′ 6″ x 1′-4″ x 6″

Doubles
Slant Size: 4’ 0” x 1’0” x 1’- 6”
Base Size: 5’ 0” x 1’4” x 6”

*Double monuments are not permitted in Section 300*

Sections:  101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 109A, 201, 202, 203, 204

Singles
Singles Slant Size: 2′ 0″ x 1’0″ x 1′ 6″

No Double Monuments * No bases * Rock sides preferred.