Rules

Belew Cemetery Association, Inc.

Rules & Regulations

The following policies and procedures have been updated to maintain more attractive grounds and use the funds more efficiently. Your observance ofthese policies will be of mutual benefit to both the owners and the Association.

The Belew Cemetery Association Board of Directors has sole governance of the cemetery and reserves the right to make, amend or change any policies deemed necessary, and to inform the owners in a timely fashion. Enforcement of the following policies and procedures is left to the discretion of the Officers and/or Board of Directors.

Revised November 5, 2023

Ownership:

  • A deed of interment rights in Belew Cemetery conveys to the owner the exclusive right of sepulcher therein and conveys no other interest in the real property of Belew Cemetery.
  • An amount equal to the cost of the grave space must be paid in full before an interment may be made therein. Title to a lot will not be passed to the purchaser until full and final payment has been made according to the sales contract. A contract will be considered delinquent and void after 6 months of non-payment and any money already paid will be forfeited.
  • Any transfer or change of ownership of property must be cleared through the office of Belew Cemetery. Payment for burial spaces must be made by cash or check at the time of purchase.

Monuments, memorial markers, and curbing:

  • Military and cremation markers are to be installed at ground level
  • All memorial markers set in Belew Cemetery in the future must be placed on a steel reinforced base not to exceed 3 h” thickness, except for grass level markers. Concrete bases must be installed with the top surface resting 2.5 to 3 inches above the soil line.
  • Removal of excess concrete and other debris left from setting memorial markers is the sole responsibility of the installing party.
  • All memorials must be installed with a monument bond around the complete perimeter of the base adjacent to the base it is placed upon.
  • Quik Crete or cement is NOT ALLOWED to level monuments. Sand is available on the East and West side of the cemetery.
  • Permission and on-site inspection of all installations is required. A 3 day notice is required by calling 940-365-5754.
  • Belew Cemetery reserves the right to prohibit the installation of any headstone that is considered inappropriate either in design, material, or workmanship.
  • The association may remove from a lot any current broken or unrepaired curbing that has become unsightly, unsafe, or difficult to maintain.

Funeral homes who use Belew Cemetery are responsible for the following rules:

  1. Collecting the burial fee of $350
  2. Removal and replacement of memorial markers and curbing at  the gravesite if necessary for burial
  3. Any damages to adjacent memorial markers, curbing, vases, etc. resulting from burials
  4. Notifying family BEFORE grave is dug if a curb must be broken out to accommodate a vault

All interments in Belew Cemetery shall be enclosed in a permanent steel  or concrete vault.

Belew Cemetery will not be held liable for error in the execution of interment instructions given by telephone. In the event of an error in interment, Belew Cemetery shall have the right, without liability, to make disinterment, removal, and reinterment to another grave space.

Maintenance:

  • Artificial flowers in proper containers are permissible at Belew Cemetery, as long as the flowers are in proper containers and within 12 inches of the marker. They will not be removed until they become unsightly. Cut flowers and potted plants are permissible, but will be disposed of when the flowers die. Baskets, easels, and wreaths may be used on special holidays. Seasonal decorations must be removed within 30 days after the occasion; otherwise, they will be removed by the cemetery.
  • Temporary flower vases such as tin cans, jars, bottles, etc. stuck into the ground are not permissible. The cemetery is not responsible for any such unauthorized containers, and they will be removed and disposed of in accordance with the regular maintenance work schedule. No structures or decorations other than flowers or monuments are allowed. Items not allowed include benches, wind chimes, plant hangers, hangings from established trees, rocks and gravel on the grave, live plants and trees, etc. No
  • No individual consideration that interferes with mowing or maintaining the grounds will be permitted. Belew Cemetery has full authority regarding any decisions pertaining to maintenance of the graves.
  • No additional curbs of any kind are allowed in the cemetery nor can old broken curbing be replaced.
  • The Association required a minimum of a Concrete box grave liner for all standard burials

Decorations:

  • Fencing, railings, borders, rocks, ornaments, toys, glass items, benches, chairs, trees, and miscellaneous articles are not allowed upon graves/lots and will be removed
  • The association reserves the right to remove all unsightly and forbidden objects, and to destroy all diseased or unsightly trees, shrubs, or plants, or those which, for some reason have become detrimental, undesirable, or inconvenient.
  • Floral design or other decorations will be removed from lots and graves as soon as flowers become wilted or unsightly. Persons wishing to retain any must remove them from said lot or grave within seven days of burials. All Christmas decorations will be removed from the cemetery and discarded by the Association by February 15 each year.
  • A sweep of all floral and other decorations will be done 3 times a year by the Association.
  • Future use of decorative gravel on lots and graves is prohibited Future planting of trees and shrubs on lots and graves is prohibited
  • Curbs of any type around lots and graves spaces are now prohibited.

Appeals to any of the above policies and procedures must be submitted by letter to the Belew Cemetery Association Board of Directors, P.O Box 398, Aubrey, Texas 76227

Belew Cemetery will not be held liable for damage done to monuments or other property belonging to the lot owners or the desecration of graves when such is done by vandals or by nature or other causes beyond the control of Belew Cemetery.

As of Jan. 1, 2008, Belew Cemetery will not sell full spaces for the burial of ashes or urns.

Revised February 4, 2008 — Urn Burial Regulations are subject to revision at a later date by BCA.

All persons are reminded that Belew Cemetery is a sacred place. Quiet and reverence should be observed at all times. The Cemetery is designed and maintained for the living as well as the deceased, and the cooperation of all those whose interest are here will help make your cemetery more beautiful as the years go by.

Thank you for your cooperation.
Belew Cemetery Association Board of Directors
P.O. Box 398 Aubrey, Texas 76227
Directors of Belew Cemetery:

  • Hershell Wilson
  • Mary Lynn Beaty
  • Van Bell
  • David Tribble
  • Brenda Sparkman
  • Jane Ray
  • Elvin Eggleston
  • Evalois Owens
  • Steve Biggs
  • Jean Burk
  • Dianne Bolivar

Officers elected:

  • President: Evalois Owens
  • Vice President: Hershell Wilson
  • Treasurer: Mary Lynn Beaty
  • Secretary: Jane Ray

The Annual Meeting is held the Saturday before the first Sunday in May at 7 PM as part of Decoration Weekend for the cemetery. Each year, four directors are voted upon. Officers are selected and voted on after the elections of directors.