§ 25-7. Site reservations and burial certificates.

(a)

Following the effective date of this chapter, cemetery deeds shall not be issued except in conformity with the provisions of this section.

(b)

A request for specific lots or sites shall be reserved and evidenced by burial certificates issued by the cemetery supervisor upon full payment and exchanged for a cemetery deed following interment. The cemetery supervisor shall cause to be maintained a comprehensive record of cemetery reservations, ownership interests in vacant sites, as well as sites where a burial has occurred. This record shall include a graphical representation of all lots and sites within the county cemetery system with differentiation for those sites reserved, sold or where a burial has occurred. Should there be a conflict between the county records and any burial certificate or cemetery deed, the county records shall be deemed to be correct.

(c)

The county liability for being unable to honor a specific site reservation shall be limited to the owner's option of either the amount paid for the burial certificate or interment in an available site.

(d)

No person may purchase more than eight site reservations per year, unless a need for a greater number is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the county. A reservation purchased incident to an immediate burial shall not be counted in the eight site limit.

(e)

Purchase of site reservations for investment or resale at a profit is strictly prohibited. No person shall charge nor receive as consideration any money or goods valued in excess of the face value of the burial certificate.

(f)

A burial certificate shall be considered to be a bearer certificate. The bearer shall be considered the owner of the burial certificate and entitled to designate the human remains to be buried in the site.

(g)

The registered owner of a burial certificate who reports it stolen prior to its use or redemption, may have the burial certificate cancelled and a new burial certificate issued.

(h)

Purchase of a burial certificate shall be deemed to be the owner's acceptance and agreement to the conditions and provisions described in this section.

(Ord. No. 2003-05, 6-26-03)