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1. How do I get a flag placed on a veteran's grave for Memorial Day at Mountain View Cemetery?

Flags are placed on veteran's graves by volunteer girl scouts on the Sunday prior to Memorial Day. Please make sure there is a flag holder visible on the lot.  If a replacement flag holder is needed, please contact the Cemetery Office at 508-841-8560.

2. How do I get a veteran's marker for my grave?

If a veteran has deceased and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, they may be eligible to obtain a foot marker from the Department of Veteran Affairs. The eligibility requirements are determined by the VA, not by Cemetery staff. In order to apply for a veteran's foot marker, the deceased veteran's family must complete the VA Form 40-1330 and provide a copy of the veteran's discharge papers to the Cemetery Office. Cemetery staff will fax the application to the VA. If it is approved, the marker will be delivered to the Cemetery and installed free of charge by our staff. Once the foot marker is installed, the next-of-kin who completed the application will be contacted. 

3. How many burials are allowed in a lot?

The Cemetery has various lot sizes - single grave lots, double grave lots, three grave lots, and four grave lots. Each grave in a lot can accommodate one full-earth burial and one cremation burial, or two cremation burials. For example, if you have a double grave lot, it can accommodate a total of two full-earth burials and two cremation burials, or four cremation burials. Please refer to the Article III of the Cemetery Rules and Regulations for additional details. 

4. Why have my flowers been removed from my lot?

It is likely that your flowers were removed because they were on your lot during a time period when they are prohibited.

Flowers and decorations are only permitted on lots between May 10th to October 31st, and November 15th to April 1st. Flowers and decorations should be removed from your lot from November 1st to November 14th, and April 2nd to May 9th. An exception is allowed during the period of Wednesday before Easter through the Wednesday following Easter. Any remaining flowers during these time periods will be removed and disposed of by Cemetery staff.

If you have any questions regarding the removal of items from your lot, please contact the Cemetery Office at 508-841-8560. 

5. Can cremated remains be buried in the container provided by the crematory?

No, cremated remains cannot be buried in the plastic, cardboard, or bag container provided by the crematory. To bury cremated remains, a durable, retrievable container is required. The Cemetery has urn vaults for sale, which can fit the container provided by the crematory. These vaults are made of a durable plastic container, can withstand 3,100 to 4,200 lbs. of top-load pressure, and are sealed prior to being buried. 

Single Urn Vault Interior Dimensions - 13.75" L x 9.5" W x 6.5" H

Double Urn Vault Interior Dimensions - 13.75" L x 9.5" W x 12" H

Families are permitted to include keepsakes, mementos, and other sentimental items within the urn vaults prior to them being buried. 

Please refer to the Cemetery Pricing List for the current prices of these urn vaults. 

6. What are the hours of operation for the Cemetery?

Mountain View Cemetery is open to members of the public from dawn to dusk on all days. Please note that the Cemetery gates are closed on Memorial Day for the parade. 

7. Are burials permitted in the wintertime?

Burials are permitted in the wintertime, even if it has snowed or the ground has frosted. 

8. What monuments can be installed on my lot?

Only one centralized monument is allowed on a lot. The specific size of the monument varies based on the lot size. Please refer to Article VIII of the Cemetery Rules and Regulations for additional details. Each grave on a lot is permitted to have a flat marker at the foot of the grave. For example, a double grave lot can have one centralized monument at the head of the lot and then two flat markers, one at the foot of each grave. 

9. Who pays the burial fees and what are these fees used for?

Burial fees are paid by the funeral home to the Cemetery. If you are planning a private urn burial ceremony without the assistance of a funeral director, then the next of kin must pay the burial fees ahead of the ceremony. The burial fees must be paid via a bank check or money order made payable to the Town of Shrewsbury. 

The burial fees cover the costs associated with locating the grave, marking the grave out, and then the excavation and backfilling of the grave. The burial fees do not include providing a burial vault, lowering device, tents, greens, extra greens or coco mats, and/or a stand. The funeral director is responsible for ordering these items from a local vault company. If you are planning a private urn burial ceremony, you need to contact a local vault company directly should you need tents, chairs, coco mats, a table for the urn, or other burial accessories. 

10. Are dogs allowed in the cemetery?

Dogs are allowed in Mountain View Cemetery, provided that they are held on a leash at all times and that their movement is restricted to designated roadways in the Cemetery. Dogs are not allowed to walk upon or across lots or lawns, or on the pathways in the columbarium area, with the exception of service animals. The dogs' owners shall maintain the dignity of the Cemetery by cleaning up after them.