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Cemetery commission adopts updated burial guidelines, adds cremation-plot sizes and green-burial rules
Summary
The Stockbridge Cemetery Commission approved a revised guidelines document that adds two cremation-plot sizes, sets urn allowances, and clarifies natural-burial procedures including a prohibition on upright monuments in natural-burial areas.
The Stockbridge Cemetery Commission voted to adopt a revised guidelines document that adds two new cremation-plot dimensions and clarifies rules for natural (green) burials.
Committee member (S3) moved to accept the updated guidelines and the motion carried by voice vote. The document will be posted on the town website with diagrams and examples of the new plot layouts.
The new rules add "a 2 and a half by a 4 foot" plot size and "a 5 foot by a 4 foot" plot size, and specify that a single cremation plot "allows for up to 2 urn burials" while a family cremation plot "allows up to 4 urn burials," Committee member (S1) said during the discussion. The guidelines include example marker configurations and note that flush markers may carry up to two names.
The commission also clarified procedures for natural burials. Committee member (S1) read language stating that a natural burial permits interment "without a grave liner or a vault," requires biodegradable containers or shrouds and a shrouding board for lowering, and uses a lowering device. The document notes that "an upright monument is not allowed with a natural burial due to the challenges in creating foundations for the monuments and the stability of the soil after the burial." The policy further explains that Stockbridge will use a backhoe or similar equipment to dig and close graves, which differs from some natural-burial grounds that require hand-digging.
Commission members asked and received clarifications about what counts as an acceptable container for a natural burial. When Committee member (S3) asked whether a shroud is permitted, Committee member (S1) said people are "theoretically" allowed to be buried in a shroud but that the cemetery consultant, Rich Atwood, has requested that burials be presented in a casket to make handling and lowering easier.
The commission emphasized that the revised document is intended to be transparent and practical for residents: it will include illustrations and be posted on the town website. Next steps are administrative: the town will publish the final PDF and the commission will distribute the Word doc and images to members for archive and use.
