How to START A FAMILY CEMETERY

Family Cemetery

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Would you like to dedicate a portion of your land as a family cemetery? Read on for tips on how to establish this special lasting legacy. At the end of the article is a link to information regarding rules and regulations for family cemeteries in Texas.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

At least 1/2 acre
Time

Step1

Pick out a piece of your property that would be appropriate for a family cemetery. Remember such things as flooding and access to the property.

Step2

Check with your local county clerks office for any special rules or permits that may be required.

Step3

Survey the spot of land you've picked out. In some states you are required to put a fence around the place you're dedicating. So, be sure to check with your county officials.

Step4

Map to cemetery location File a Certificate of Declaration of Dedication of Land with your County Clerk. You (the land owner) can file the info and complete the survey yourself. There's no need to hire someone to do this for you.

Step5

Layout of burial plots When you file your dedication you will need to take a map to the plot. You will also need to make a diagram of how you will lay out the cemetery. Then, in the future, you will need to keep good records as to who is buried there and file those with the County Clerk for record.

Step6

There are regulations as to how close your cemetery can be located to a city of municipality. This depends on the size of municipality/city. For a population of 5,000 - 25,000 you have to be at least 1 mile outside limits. For a population of 25,000 to 50,000 you have to be at least 2 miles outside limits. For a population of 50,000 - 100,000 you have to be at least 3 miles outside limits. For a population of 100,000 - 200,000 you have to be at least 4 miles outside limits. For a population of 200,000 or more you have to be at least 5 miles outside limits.

Step7

For the link below, click on Governing Laws, the Health & Safety Codes then check out Chapters 711 -713

Tips & Warnings

Discuss this with as many family members as possible. See what the rest of the family thinks about the ideal.
Check with government officials to see about rules, regulations or permits that may be required.