Licensed Funeral Home Requirement
All burial‑related services must be performed by a Texas‑licensed funeral home or its authorized agents. This includes:
- Opening and closing graves
- Interments
- Burial of cremation urns
This requirement helps protect families, maintain safety, and ensure compliance with state law and cemetery regulations.
Plot Verification
Because the cemetery is historic and records are limited, plot ownership must be confirmed before scheduling a burial.
Funeral homes should verify the Plot Owner using:
- The online burial database
- The cemetery Plat Maps
If ownership cannot be confirmed, burial approval may be delayed and a Grave Opening Fee surcharge may apply.
Grave Site Marking (“Spotting”)
The family is responsible for marking the exact grave location for the grave digger.
In most cases, families will delegate this responsibility to the funeral home.
To assist you:
- Satellite‑positioned Row Markers are installed along each row
- Clear instructions for accurate grave‑site marking are available
- Funeral homes should ensure the grave is marked before the grave digger arrives
Accurate spotting prevents delays, errors, and additional labor charges.
Cremation Burials
Bell’s Chapel Cemetery allows:
- Up to two cremation urns in a single space (related family members only)
- Burial of urns at 18 inches below the surface
- Use of flush‑type memorials for buried urns
- Use of columbarium‑style monuments where permitted
Scattering of cremated remains anywhere in the cemetery is prohibited.
Memorials & Restrictions
Bell’s Chapel Cemetery allows:
- One memorial per grave space
- Flush‑type memorials required in designated sections
- No curbing, fencing, benches, statues, or temporary structures
- No planting of flowers, shrubs, or ivy
- All decorations must be removed when faded or after holiday periods
Cemetery Access & Conduct
- No pets, alcohol, or disruptive behavior
- Vehicles must remain on designated roads
- No bicycles, skateboards, motorcycles, or horses without approval
- Enter only through public gates during posted hours
Cemetery Access & Conduct
- Bell’s Chapel Cemetery is a non‑perpetual‑care cemetery
- Families are responsible for the care of their memorials
- The cemetery is not responsible for vandalism or theft
- Volunteers maintain the grounds as donations allow
