Facilities  

Cemetery

809 Thompson

 

 

The Rock Springs Cemetery is more than 100 years old and has been an important city function since the city was founded in 1889.  It meant so much to the people of Rock Springs, that in 1924 they worked as volunteers for months moving all the unregistered graves to the cemetery. 

 

In the 1980's the cemetery was completely surveyed and re-landscaped.  This great effort to beautify the cemetery began ongoing city maintenance, and improvement.  Security lighting was installed to prevent vandalism and improve safety for those who visit after dark. A tertiary effluent water irrigation system was built in all but the old Paul Wataha section to help conserve water while maintaining a lush green landscape in the middle of its desert surroundings.

 

There are three sections in the cemetery:

  • Saint Joseph's

  • Mountain View, and

  • Paul J. Wataha Perpetual Care.

Within these sections there are a number of blocks that have mostly been named after mayors of Rock Springs. The meditation area south of the main parking lot contains a map and a directory which alphabetically lists individuals buried within the cemetery. At the end of the print-out, it references which block the individual is buried in. The listing is not totally complete, but the intent is to aid those attempting to locate loved ones and friends.

 

Cemetery hours

 

Cemetery hours are 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. daily. Security lighting has been installed to prevent vandalism and provide safety for those who visit after dark.

 

Lot Purchases

 

Single or multiple gravesites may be purchased. Prices for gravesites and interments, etc. will be supplied by the City Clerk’s office or your funeral home can provide this information. No interments or disinterments will take place until full payment or other financial arrangements have been made at the office of the City Clerk. In some cases, the funeral home guarantees payment, therefore, deed to the property will be released to the funeral home, which will in turn release it to the family.

 

NOTE: Deeds for any cemetery property will not be conveyed to the purchaser until the purchase price is paid in full.

 

 INTERMENTS

 

All requests for interment must be submitted to the Cemetery Sexton or his designee a minimum of 48 hours prior to the scheduled burial services. During winter, it is unlikely 48 hours will be sufficient, as the ground must be heated to remove frost. In this instance, this will require a 72 hour notice. If interments are scheduled at times other than normal working hours, additional fees may be charged, including overtime and holiday pay for the cemetery staff involved.

 

Disinterment

 

The City of Rock Springs reserves the right to require at least (5) five days notice prior to any disinterment. No disinterment will be made on Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, or on the day upon which any holiday is observed. All disinterments shall be done at the convenience of the cemetery staff and must be arranged with the City Clerk. All costs incurred with a disinterment will be charged to the individuals making the request.

 

Headstones

 

The maximum size for bases or foundations placed upon single lots within the cemetery shall be twenty-four inches by thirty-six inches (24” x 36”). The maximum size for bases or foundations placed upon double lots within the cemetery shall be twenty-four by sixty-eight (24”x68”).

 

 Monuments –Upright stone

Markers– Flat stone

 

All marker and/or monument foundations shall be placed flush with the ground level and shall extend at least four inches (4”) beyond the perimeter of the sides of the marker or monument. All markers and/or monuments shall be centered at the head of the lots and shall be placed so as to allow at least six inches (6”) of open space between the outside edge of the base or foundation and the exterior boundaries of the lot. Single markers and/or monuments which are to be placed upon double lots may be centered across the common boundary line of said lots.

 

There shall be no height restrictions upon monuments placed within the cemetery except as follows:

 

Mayor Oblock and Mayor West Blocks of the Paul J. Wataha Section:

· No monument shall be allowed. Markers may extend no more than eight inches (8”) in height above their foundations.

 

Mayor Anderson Block of the Mountain View Section:

· No monuments shall be allowed. Markers may extend no more than twenty-four inches (24”) in height above their foundations.

 

Vaults 

 

Protective vaults shall be placed around all caskets placed within the City Cemetery. Vaults shall be constructed of such materials and in such manner as is directed by the Cemetery Sexton. Acceptable materials shall include but not be limited to concrete, steel, and fiberglass.

 

CONDUCT OF PERSONS WITHIN THE CEMETERY

 

Individuals may use the paved roads and driveways in the Cemetery for walkways, but use of grassed areas is prohibited unless individuals are visiting gravesites. Workers conducting official business are exempt from this prohibition. Individuals entering the Cemetery grounds must exercise caution since uneven, wet ground and heavy monuments may cause injury and/or damage. No children without adult supervision. 

 

decoration of lots

 

Artificial or fresh cut flowers may be placed in a metal vase at any time. They will be discarded when wilted, faded, ruined or if they interfere with routing mowing and maintenance procedures. NO GLASS VASES OR GLASS CONTAINERS OF ANY KIND ARE PERMITTED. The City reserves the right to regulate the method of decorating lots and may remove any decoration items which detract from the uniformity and overall appearance of the Cemetery.

 

Bushes or trees of any kind are not allowed, unless the person receives written permission from the Cemetery sexton or his designee. The placing of boxes, shells, stones, boulders, toys, metal designs, ornaments, chairs, settees, vases, glass, urns, fences, wood, metal cabinets, wire, nails or temporary grave markers and similar objects upon lots are prohibited.

 

VEHICLES

 

The speed limit in the cemetery is 20 miles per hour. Vehicles are not permitted off the paved roadways. Official vehicles may travel off road as assignments require. At no time shall snow machines, all terrain vehicles or other recreational vehicles be permitted on the cemetery grounds.

 

PROTECTION AGAINST LOSS

 

The City shall take every precaution to protect lot owners and property within the cemetery from loss or damage. The City shall not be liable for loss or damage caused by the elements, vandals, thieves or other events beyond the City’s control.

 

TRANSFER OF GRAVESITES

 

No transfer or assignment of any gravesite, or interest therein, shall be valid without the consent of the City. All consents must be placed on file in the City Clerk’s office

 

Weed abatement

 

The cemetery staff also provides weed control on city property, cutting and spraying in the summer.  We process complaints about in the order we receive them while making sure the maintenance of the cemetery is kept up.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

 

City Clerk

Rock Springs City Hall

212 D Street

Rock Springs, WY 82901

Phone: 307-352-1500

Fax: 307-352-1516

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hours: 6am to 10pm

Cemetery Sexton:

Chris Doak

352-1462

352-1428 Fax

 

 

 

 

 

Main     Meeting Room Schedule   Parks Reservation Calendar  Recreation Calendar Contact Us Site Map
© 2006 - City of Rock Springs, Wyoming