Section 180-RICR-20-00-1.4 - Policies for Arranging an IntermentA. The ability to effectively manage and sustain the reverence of the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery requires coordination, cooperation and respect among the various entities that visit and serve the veteran community. Adherence to these Regulations is expected of all those who perform the noble duties associated with the interment of veterans and their families. Repeated failure to comply may result in a written letter to the respective individual or organization, and/or a complaint filed with the appropriate state licensing agency or association.B. General Policies 1 The funeral director is responsible for making interment arrangements for an eligible decedent and for remaining with remains, including cremated remains, throughout the committal service. Rhode Island funeral directors will be provided with specific information and necessary forms to accomplish authorized interments. The original and complete burial transit permit, or original and complete cremation certificate must be provided to the cemetery prior to the interment. The funeral director must also inform the Administration Office when making arrangements if there are any additional religious requirements for the burial. 2. To ensure the RIVMC can accommodate and properly respect each eligible veteran or family member, committal services are limited to fifteen (15) minutes at the designated location. For each interment, a half-hour time period must be reserved with the Administration Office, which includes time for travel within the cemetery and military honors. Except for cremations scheduled for 9:30 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays, interments will not be scheduled more than two (2) weeks in advance.3. Funeral directors are asked to inform families of the length and purpose of the committal service. The committal service is not intended to be a wake. Going beyond the assigned time disrespects other families waiting to honor their loved one. The Cemetery Administrator, or a representative, will be available to speak with the next of kin upon request of the funeral director.4. If a funeral party does not arrive within fifteen (15) minutes of the allotted time frame, the committal location may be changed by the Administrator to accommodate the family subject to the availability of an alternate location, RIVMC staff, military honors personnel, and attending clergy. If no other committal location is available, the funeral party may be asked to wait until other scheduled services are completed.5. If not arriving as a procession, funeral directors are requested to be at the cemetery at least twenty (20) minutes prior to their scheduled time to line up the funeral party and meet with the cemetery escort.6. RIVMC may accept an urn for placement in a niche compartment without a funeral director if there is no associated committal service and the next of kin can provide the required documentation in § 1.4(B)(1) of this Part. With advance notification, urns are accepted at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Administration Office.7. The opening of urns or caskets on cemetery grounds is prohibited, except in the cases of disinterment arranged with the Administration Office. Guest books are not permitted.8. RIVMC will not accept remains shipped via the U.S. Postal Service, or any commercial carrier. RIVMC is unable to store remains overnight.9. Gravesites prepared for caskets will be of uniform size. Gravesites prepared for cremated remains may be of a lesser uniform size.10. RIVMC requires an outer burial container for each in-ground interment, including cremations unless the urn meets certain criteria. The grave liner fee for the eligible veteran is provided by the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs. For the spouse and any eligible dependents, the RIVMC is required to collect a grave liner fee, unless a vault or grave liner is otherwise provided by the funeral home or next of kin.11. No cremated remains are permitted inside of a full casket without proper documentation.12. Unless a religious faith dictates otherwise, graveside burial services are allowed from April 1 to November 1, provided the grounds are free of safety hazards (snow, ice, construction, etc.) and the funeral director makes prior arrangements with the RIVMC. Graveside services requiring the assistance of a contractor will be at the expense of the next of kin. Requests to deviate from this policy must be made to the Cemetery Administrator.13. The grave marker permitted in the cemetery is the United States Government flat granite marker. Installation of the grave marker is performed by the cemetery staff. The Federal "Application for Headstone or Marker" form will be processed through the RIVMC office. Funeral directors are requested to attach the completed "Application for Headstone or Marker" form to the other interment forms and deliver them to the RIVMC office. The Administration Office is unable to process forms for grave makers and VA bronze medallions to be placed outside of the RIVMC.14. The RIVMC will assign a gravesite, ensure the site is properly opened and closed, and provide perpetual care of the gravesite. Title to all lots is retained by the RIVMC. All other charges in connection with any funeral or burial in the cemetery will be the responsibility of the next of kin.15. A deceased eligible dependent may be interred prior to the death of a veteran only when the veteran certifies he or she will be buried in the same assigned gravesite. Conversely, reservations for the burial of eligible living dependent(s) will be made at the time of the burial of the veteran. Reservation forms are available at the RIVMC Administration Office.16. All interments are scheduled through the Administration Office. Interments will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis upon submission of the required documentation and verification of the veteran's eligibility.17. Interments are scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Typically, no more than eight (8) interments will be scheduled on a weekday. Exceptions may be requested to the Cemetery Administrator.18. Requests for Holiday interments will not normally be accommodated.19. RIVMC reserves the right to move graveside interments to an alternate location consistent with religious faith requirements in the event of inclement weather or other unforeseen safety conditions.C. Saturday Interments 1. Interments are scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Typically, there will be no more than four (4) interments on any given Saturday except as set forth below and in § 1.5(F) of this Part.2. Requests for Saturday interment must be made to the Administration Office prior to noon on the preceding Thursday and accompanied by all required documentation. Scheduling of the 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. committal services will typically be reserved for funerals arriving in procession.3. When a casualty of war is presented for interment, the Cemetery Administrator reserves the right to authorize additional burial provisions.4. When a religious faith requirement dictates, the Cemetery Administrator reserves the right to authorize additional burial provisions.180 R.I. Code R. 180-RICR-20-00-1.4
Amended effective 2/2/2021