Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do I do at the time of death?
A: First, you should contact a Funeral Director and advise him or her that you own a grave, crypt or niche in Brookside Cemetery. The Funeral Director will contact us to schedule the required services. A complete order for Cemetery services must be received forty-eight hours before interment. There are no interments on Sundays, or major holidays, including New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day, ½ Day on Christmas Eve, & Christmas Day.
Q: What are the hours of the Cemetery for visiting and office hours?
A: The Cemetery gates are always left open. The office is open Monday – Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. and Saturday mornings only when a funeral is in process.
Q: When I purchase a grave, niche, or crypt, can I prepay the opening charge?
A: No. An opening charge may not be paid in advance.
Q: Does Brookside Cemetery sell plaques or headstones?
A: No. By Law, the Association is not permitted to sell headstones, plaques, or markers.
Q: What happens if I cannot find my deed?
A: If you cannot find your deed, a notarized letter can be done by you and given to the Cemetery office for an opening, but the Cemetery will require the original deed in order to sell or transfer the interment space.
Q: Can I transfer my deed to someone?
A: Yes. Ownership of an unused site may be transferred. All transfers must be made through the office of the Cemetery and subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees in accordance with New Jersey Cemetery Law. You will need the original deed or certificate of ownership, and a fee is charged for all transfers.
Q: Am I required to purchase a concrete vault?
A: Yes. This must be purchased by your Funeral Director.
Q: What can I do if I do not wish to use my grave at Brookside Cemetery?
A: The Association will repurchase an unused site at a fixed price basis
Q: How long do flowers stay after a funeral?
A: Flowers stay for seven (7) days. The day of the funeral is day one (1), and they are removed on day six (6).
Q: Is the water available in the Cemetery all year long?
A: No. Water is shut off for the winter. During the rest of the year, water is available, and water spigots can be found alongside the road throughout the Cemetery. If you do have a container to fill, and the office is open, you may come in & fill it.
Q: How long does it take the ground to settle after a funeral?
A: Depending on the season and Mother Nature, a grave can take 3-6 months to properly settle. Once a grave has settled, we can seed the grave. However, we do not seed during the winter.
Q: What can I hang on a crypt or niche?
A: Small flower vases, approved by the cemetery.
Q: What do I do if I have a complaint or concern?
A: All problems should be reported to the office of the Cemetery by phone, mail or fax.
Q: How do I locate a loved one’s grave, crypt or niche?
A: If you visit or call the office between the hours of 7:30 A.M. – 3:30 P.M., we will provide specific directions and locations
Q: Does the Cemetery sell flowers, decorations, etc.?
A: No. Throughout the year, we do not sell flowers or decorations. You can contact a local florist to have flowers, holiday blankets or wreaths delivered to the office, and we will place them on the grave.
Q: What do I do if I notice burial activity near my grave?
A: Burial activity near your property may disturb the area. Please be patient, as our maintenance crew will service the area as soon as possible.
Q: What is perpetual care?
A: Perpetual care is the overall and general maintenance of the Cemetery. This includes grass cutting, leaf removal, basic trash removal and basic snow removal from roads. Perpetual care does not include personal request, damage or theft of decorations, plantings, memorials, headstones, or resetting headstones, & memorials.
Q: What is the opening charge? What does the opening charge include?
A: This is the labor charge associated with the actual interment or entombment. The opening charge includes the labor of digging open the grave for interment.
Q: Can I plant on my plot?
A: Yes, on each side of the headstone, or right in front of the headstone. If you own multiple graves, you may contact the office, where we will have our staff measure out your property, so you can plant all your planting on the property you own.
Q: What should I do if my headstone or foot marker is damaged?
A: Please call the Cemetery office and let them ask our Superintendent to take a look at the damage. When you do purchase a headstone or foot marker, you should call and add it to your home, or rental insurance.
Q: What should I do if my foundation is damaged?
A: Call the Cemetery office, and we will replace it.