St. Francis Cemetery

NO ANIMALS ALLOWED in ST. FRANCIS CEMETERY

Cemetery Policies

(Taken from the Diocese of Providence Rules and Regulations for Catholic Cemeteries)

Policy I

Catholic Cemeteries are for the Interment of Catholics who are entitled to Christian interment according to the rules and discipline of the Roman Catholic Church. The Interment of a non-Catholic member of a Catholic family or a person not entitled to Christian Interment according to the rules and discipline of the Roman Catholic Church, shall be decided exclusively by the Local Ordinary.

Policy II

When the Right of Interment in a cemetery grave/lot is granted, Catholic Cemeteries grant a right of interment and withhold unto themselves the title or ownership of the cemetery property.  One interment is allowed per grave.  No exceptions are permitted without the expressed written consent of the Cemetery Manager/Pastor.

Policy III

Pre-need lots are available and can be purchased with cash, check and now Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express). A convenience fee will be added to the invoice if using a credit card. Lots/graves must be paid in full before or at the time of interment. A deed for a lot will be issued when lot is paid in full. No foundation order for a monument will be processed until lot is paid in full.

Policy IV

Urns or containers which hold cremains, will be interred in the cremation section of the cemetery or the columbarium. Cremains that are interred outside the said policy must receive permission from the Cemetery Manager/Pastor. Cremains interred in a family lot which does not necessitate an opening or closing, will be subject to a Rite of Interment fee. Only a flush marker is permitted in this section.

Policy V:  Memorials

1. Only monuments/markers that are approved by the Cemetery Manager are allowed to be erected at grave sites. NO EXCEPTIONS.
2. Catholic cemeteries are religious cemeteries, therefore, the predominant symbol of all memorials or flush markers must have a Catholic theme/symbol. Any other epitaphs or symbols must be approved by the Cemetery Manager/Pastor.
3. All memorials must have a foundation set in place by cemetery personnel ONLY.
4. Single, baby, and cremation lots must have flush markers supported by a foundation.

Policy VI: Decorations

1. Sole right is reserved by the Cemetery Manager/Pastor to regulate the method and type of decorations or flowers and containers used on grave/lot and monuments.
2. The following items are NOT ALLOWED at the grave site/headstone/marker. Any container which is made of glass or ceramic, lights, mulch, edging, stones, personal trinkets, statues, plant stands, birdhouses, feeders, whirly-gigs, etc. NO in-ground plantings of any type are permitted at the grave site, including bushes, shrubs, or trees. Absolutely NO wooden/plastic crosses are permitted. Any of the above mentioned items found by cemetery employees will be removed and discarded.
3. If any decoration or container interferes with mowing or causes danger to the mower, they will be removed.
4. Vases which are attached to monuments and that do not exceed the length or width of the base are permitted.
5. American flags are permitted at the memorial/maker of veterans ONLY. Management has the right to remove flags they become faded, torn, or soiled (see Policy VIII). No other type of flags are permitted.
6. Existing bushes and shrubs, in older sections of the cemetery, that interfere with another grave/lot are not permitted and management has the right to request their removal.
7. ONLY annual or artificial potted plants are permitted in front of the memorial marker. The planter must not exceed the length of the stone. Planters are to be placed in the front and in the center of the stone.

Policy VII: Liability

The management disclaims all liability with regard to interments, graves/lots, monuments, flush markers, memorials, vases, flowers or decorations of any type as well as damage from causes beyond its reasonable control and especially from damage by an act of God, the elements, thieves, vandals, unavoidable accidents, or any cause similar or dissimilar, beyond control of the management whether the damage be direct or indirect.

Policy VIII: Care

Care is to be understood as maintenance of graves/lots necessitated by natural growth or ordinary wear and includes cleaning, care of cemetery trees along roadside and edges of property and the cleaning/maintenance of roadways.

The Cemetery Manager/Pastor reserves the right at any time to change, amend, alter, rescind, or add to these policies or at any parts thereof or to adopt any new policies.

Cemetery Fees

• Single Grave – $700
• Two Grave Lot – $1,400
• Three Grave Lot – $2,100
• Four Grave Lot – $2,800
• Cremation Lot for 1 Cremains – $400
• Cremation Lot for 2 Cremains – $800
• Open and Close Standard Grave – $1,000
• Open and Close Cremation Grave – $500
• Open and Close Baby Grave – $125
• Saturday Service – $200
• Rite of Interment – $200
• Foundations per square foot – $100
• Set Markers – $200
• Columbarium  – Please call for price
• Sunday or Holiday Service – $200
• Winter Fee 12-21 to 3-21 – $150

Cemetery Hours

Winter Hours (October 16th – April 30th)
8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Summer Hours (May 1st to October 15th)
8:00 am – 7:00 pm

Directions from North (Providence)

• South on I-95
• Take exit 9 onto Rt 4 south  eventually merging with Rt 1 south.
• Follow divided highway until intersection of Rt. 138
• Turn right onto Rt. 138 west follow to light at Rt.108 turn left onto 108 and follow through one traffic light . After light, look for Dennis Moffit Painting on the right and take your first right onto Rodman Street.
• Follow Rodman Street to George Schaeffer Street on your right.  St. Francis Cemetery sign on corner of George Schaeffer Street.
• Cemetery is at the end of George Schaeffer Street, Peace Dale, RI.

Revised January 1st, 2022