Cemetery

Oak Ridge Cemetery

Oak Ridge Cemetery is a 45-acre municipal cemetery serving the Buchanan community. Approximately 35 acres are currently developed, with additional acreage available for future use.

Cemetery Information & Services

The City of Buchanan can assist families, funeral homes, and plot owners with:

• _{Cemetery plot purchases}
• _{Grave space transfers}
• _{Burial and interment scheduling}
• _{Cemetery deeds and ownership records}
• _{Monument and foundation information}
• _{Cemetery rules and regulations}
• _{Veteran's Circle information}

Burials and Interment Scheduling

For burials and interment scheduling, please contact the City Clerk's Office at:

269-695-3844 ext. 17

Funeral homes and families are encouraged to contact the City Clerk's Office as early as possible when making burial arrangements.

Burials are performed Monday-Friday excluding holidays. Saturday burials and interments are available on Saturday for a fee, and burials must be completed by 11:00 AM. 

A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required for all burial requests. The City will make every effort to accommodate the requested burial date and time; however, requested times cannot be guaranteed and may be unavailable due to previously scheduled interments.

Purchasing or Transferring a Grave Space

To purchase a cemetery plot, please contact the Cemetery Supervisor at 269-695-3971 to schedule an appointment.

The City Clerk's Office can assist with cemetery deed and grave space transfers. The current transfer fee is $50.00.

You may contact the City Clerk's Office, visit City Hall at 302 N. Redbud Trail, or email the City Clerk for assistance.

Using a Family-Owned Cemetery Plot

If the person listed as the owner of a cemetery plot is deceased, additional documentation may be required before the grave space can be used or transferred.

Families may be asked to provide documentation identifying the executor or personal representative of the estate, or complete the City's affidavit regarding the use of a cemetery plot owned by a deceased person.

If cemetery records already identify a future occupant for a grave space, that designation must be addressed before the space may be reassigned or used for another burial.

Please contact the City Clerk's Office before making final burial arrangements if there are any questions regarding ownership or burial rights.

Decoration Removal

Winter Decorations
Winter decorations may remain from November 1 through April 1. Decorations remaining after April 1 will be considered abandoned and may be removed and disposed of by cemetery staff.

Summer Decorations
Summer decorations may remain from April 15 through October 1. Decorations remaining after October 1 will be considered abandoned and may be removed and disposed of by cemetery staff.

Visitor Rules

To help preserve the dignity, safety, and appearance of Oak Ridge Cemetery, visitors are asked to observe the following rules:

• _{The speed limit within the cemetery is 10 mph.}
• _{Driving or riding on lawns or cemetery lots is not permitted.}
• _{Vehicles must not interfere with or pass through funeral processions.}
• _{Dogs are not permitted within the cemetery grounds.}
• _{Firearms are not permitted, except for authorized ceremonial volleys during burial services.}
• _{Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.}
• _{Picking flowers or damaging trees, plants, monuments, headstones, vaults, or other cemetery property is prohibited.}
• _{Visitors are expected to conduct themselves respectfully at all times.}

These rules are intended to protect cemetery property, preserve the peaceful character of the grounds, and respect the families and individuals interred at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Headstones and Monuments

Before purchasing or placing a headstone or monument, families should contact the Cemetery Superintendent to confirm that the proposed size, style, material, and placement are permitted.

• _{A monument is defined in the rules as a grave marker or stone exceeding 30 inches.}
• _{A marker is defined as a grave marker or stone less than 30 inches.}
• _{Some cemetery sections may be limited to flush markers only.}
• _{Monuments are not permitted on single graves or fractional lots.}
• _{Only one marker is permitted for each grave.}
• _{Only one monument, gravestone, or marker exceeding 30 inches in height is permitted on each full lot.}
• _{Monument placement must be approved by the Cemetery Superintendent.}
• _{Monument designs must be submitted and approved before a foundation is constructed.}
• _{Certain materials are prohibited under the cemetery rules, including limestone, sandstone, slate, artificial stone, blue marble, and metal other than standard bronze.}
• _{Lot owners are responsible for keeping monuments, headstones, and other structures in good repair.}
• _{Families are encouraged to obtain approval before completing a monument purchase, as lot size, grave locations, trees, and other conditions may affect what can be installed.}

Monument Foundations

Foundations for monuments and grave markers must be constructed by City cemetery employees at the expense of the lot owner.

• _{The foundation must be approved by the Cemetery Superintendent.}
• _{Payment for foundation work must accompany the order.}
• _{Monuments may not be delivered to the cemetery before the foundation or footing has been installed.}
• _{Cemetery rules currently provide for foundation work during designated periods of the year.}
• _{Monument and foundation work may be delayed because of wet ground, frost, or other conditions that could damage the cemetery grounds or affect the quality of the installation.}
• _{Heavy monuments cannot be installed until the foundation has had sufficient time to cure.}
• _{Contractors and monument companies working within the cemetery are subject to the direction of the Cemetery Superintendent.}
• _{Contractors should contact the Cemetery Superintendent before arranging delivery of monument materials.}
• _{Families and monument companies should contact the City before scheduling delivery or installation.}

Please note: Foundation pours are completed on a scheduled basis and are subject to change due to weather, ground conditions, staffing, or other cemetery operations. Families and monument companies should contact the City to confirm the current pour schedule before making delivery or installation arrangements.

Payment Information

The City accepts cash, check, or credit card payments at City Hall. Please note that credit card payments are subject to a processing fee.

If you are not local, payment may also be made online through the City’s website. From the homepage, select “Pay My Bill” and then choose “Other Payments.”

If you have questions about submitting a payment online, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 269-695-3844 ext. 17 for assistance.

For cemetery assistance, please call 269-695-3971. A 24-hour voicemail is available.