Frequently Asked Questions
How is the cemetery laid out?
The cemetery is laid out in wards, lots, and graves. Currently wards 1-20 are for in-ground burials. Ward 50 is the number assigned to our Columbarium. Each Ward has a predetermined number of lots within each ward as determined by the original plat of the cemetery and varies between wards. Each lot for the most part has 6 graves within each lot. This can vary due to obstructions such as trees, roads, etc.
What is a standard grave site?
Each grave site is 40 inches in width and generally 9 or 10 feet in length. The length difference is determined by the dimensions set forth in the original plat. Up to 2 bodies or Cremains may be buried on a standard grave site. Two embalmed bodies may be buried by means of one standard depth grave and the other a double depth grave.
What is the difference between a standard depth grave and a double depth grave?
A standard depth grave is a grave dug deep enough to receive the vault and have a minimum of 2 feet of earth over the vault lid. In the case of a double depth grave, the first grave on the site is dug to a depth to insure that the first vault can have another vault stacked vertically on top of it and still have the minimum required 2 feet of earth on top of the upper vault lid.
What is a “Cremation Only” grave site?
A “Cremation Only” grave site is a grave site that is less than 9 feet in length. We have some of these sites only because of previous mis-measurements, obstructions such as trees or roads, etc. These lots will generally allow for up to 2 cremation burials but may be limited to a single burial depending on the circumstances. This will be known at the time of sale.
How many bodies or cremation urns can be buried in a single grave?
Only 2 bodies or urns can be placed in one grave site. This can be 2 cremation urns, one placed at the head of the site near the headstone and one at the bottom of the grave site away from the headstone. There can be two bodies buried double depth fashion in two individual vaults place one on top of the other. Another option is that two children could be buried in a single casket.
What is a Mausoleum?
A Mausoleum is an above ground depository for full body interments. Rose Hill Cemetery does not currently have any public Mausoleums.
What is a Columbarium?
A Columbarium is an above ground structure of niches for the expressed purpose of interring cremation urns. Up to two cremation urns can be placed in each niche.
Are there advantages to buying burial spaces “pre-need”?
Yes. By making arrangements in advance, families can avoid confusion at the time of bereavement and assure themselves of burial in the location they desire and not where someone else thinks they would like to be laid to rest. Pricing for grave sites, while not as volatile as the price of gas, continues to go up. Depending on when your need is, there could be several years between the purchase date and the use date. The site cost could be considerably higher based on the time difference. About the only guarantee is that the price will not go down.
Should I buy spaces for the entire family?
This is strictly personal preference. With our mobile society, the kids are often scattered to the corners of the country. Generally the husband and wife will buy sites together and then discuss whether or not to buy more based on the family needs and wishes.
Can Opening and Closing services and foundation services be prepaid, pre-need?
Yes. Any services that the cemetery provides can be pre-paid. The advantage to this is that the payment for those services is locked in and cannot be changed whether those services are needed tomorrow or a number of years from now.
How do I pay for sites and services?
The cemetery accepts Checks, Cash, or Credit Card (MasterCard, Visa, or Discover) for all sites or services. The choice is yours. We do charge an up-charge for the use of a credit card to help defray the costs we incur when using credit cards. The charge is at or below what we are charged by our card affiliates. These charges are posted at the cemetery office for inspection.
How do I get specific questions answered?
We are more than happy to answer questions via phone (812-858-8003), in person during office hours or by appointment, or email at rosehill261@gmail.com.
How big is the cemetery and how many sites are still available?
The cemetery is 30+ acres. The cemetery was started around 1845. Currently we have approximately 5300 burials with room for over 10,000. We have averaged around 40 burials per year for the last 20 years. At that or slightly increased burials rates, we still have more than 100 years of space left. Come pick out your place while they’re still available.