Our church cemeteries
St. Philip Neri Catholic Church
831 South Chestnut Street
Reed City, MI  49677
 
Mount Olivet Cemetery Policy and Guidelines
Revised September 19, 2024
 
I.              Sale of Lots
  1. Cemetery lots will ordinarily be sold as double burial sites.  However, single burial sites may be purchased, upon request.
 
  1. Each lot will be 8’ x 10’.  The cost of each lot (2 burial sites) is $200.00.  The cost of single lots (1 burial site) is $100.  It is payable before any acknowledgement of right-to-burial and must be paid before interment. Arrangements must be made with the secretary/bookkeeper at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church.
 
  1. Any lot in the old section, which is unused for 50 or more years, shall be subject to possible reversion to St. Philip Neri Catholic Church after attempts have been made to contact the family.
 
II.             Burials 
  1. No burial sites shall be opened and closed except under the direction and control of the cemetery sexton.
 
  1. All bodies are to be enclosed in metal or concrete vaults.  No wooden vaults are allowed.
 
  1. No more than three (3) floral arrangements may be left on the gravesite at the time of burial.
 
III.            Cemetery Guidelines and Maintenance 
  1. Any change in the topography of the land will be done only by the cemetery caretaker or sexton, with the approval of the cemetery board; this includes “building up” graves.
 
  1. No concrete walls separating cemetery lots will be allowed.  No fences of any kind to separate cemetery lots will be allowed.  No extra marking of gravesites will be allowed.
 
  1. Military plaques, markers and the base of headstones are to be flush with the ground and all headstones, markers, statues, etc. should face the nearest roadway.  All headstones will be placed on the west end of lots.
 
  1. The planting of trees or shrubbery may not be done without the approval of the cemetery board.
 
  1. All flowers, plants and other items including artificial flowers must be in a metal, ceramic or concrete urn.
  
  1. Artificial flowers may be used for special occasions, such as Christmas, Easter and Memorial Day.  These are considered temporary placements and are subject to removal at the discretion of the sexton for necessary ground maintenance.
 
  1. The repair and maintenance of any marker or memorial shall not be the responsibility of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church or the Mount Olivet Cemetery Board.
 
  1. Landscaping and maintenance of all cemetery property, this including sold and unsold lots will be provided by Mount Olivet Cemetery Board.
 
  1. The sexton and cemetery board reserves the right to trim or remove any tree, plant or shrub in the interest of maintaining proper appearance and use of the cemetery.
 
  1. Mount Olivet Cemetery will be closed for burials from November 14 until April 1.  These dates may be changed due to inclement weather or some other unforeseen difficulties, by the decision of the cemetery board or the pastor of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church.
 
  1. Any violations of the above guidelines will be addressed by Mount Olivet Cemetery Board or the cemetery caretaker.
 
IV.          Cemetery Records 
a. All cemetery records (lot purchases, burials, etc.) shall be maintained by the bookkeeper/business manager at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church
 
** Contact with the sexton of Mount Olivet Cemetery can be made through the St. Philip Neri Parish Office at (231) 832-5544.