Please feel free to contact us at info@lyonsvillecemetery.org with any questions or concerns you have regarding Lyonsville Cemetery.
Listed below are some questions we recently have received, and our answers that you might find informative.
Q: Can I add a picture (or DAR sticker) to the headstone?
A: Yes a picture or DAR sticker can be added to the headstone, but we ask that it be affixed to the headstone and not a stick in the ground that could potentially be stolen or damaged by the lawnmower
Q: Can I plant flowers or small shrubs on a grave?
A: We kindly request that your plantings be limited to species that will not spread beyond the immediate gravesite and do not create groundskeeping issues. The Cemetery Board reserves the right to remove overgrown vegetation.
Q: Can I use the watering stations at the Cemetery?
A: Our water stations are there for your use and are available from approximately June to October. Please make sure you turn the water off when you are done and remove any jugs or containers you may have brought with you.
Q: Can I place flowers in vases on a grave?
A: Vases with water are not permitted. In order to avoid mosquito infestation and groundskeeping issues receptacles that hold water are not allowed.
Q: Are artificial flowers and other decorations allowed to be placed on graves?
A: Yes. We do request that, if possible, you please remove them in a timely manner. Note that all non-holiday decorations are to be removed from the cemetery by Dec. 1. Christmas wreaths and decorations are to be removed by Feb. 1.
Q: Can I place a bench on the grave?
A: Although there are several benches located throughout the Cemetery, the Board has made a decision not to allow any additional benches due to associated groundskeeping issues.
Q: How do I make a donation to the Cemetery?
A: First, THANK YOU for remembering the Cemetery when making charitable gifts and in your estate planning. The Lyonsville Cemetery Association is a recognized tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(13) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, contributions to the Cemetery are tax deductible. We receive no local, state, or federal financial support and rely on the income from our Perpetual Care Fund (Care Fund) and gifts from individuals and estates to support our work. Any level of support makes a difference and is greatly appreciated!
Please make your check out to: Lyonsville Cemetery Association. Mail to: Lyonsville
Cemetery Association, 6871 Joliet Road, Indian Head Park, IL 60525
Q: I own a grave in the Cemetery, but neither I nor any of my family intend to use it. Would the Cemetery buy it back? Can I sell the grave on my own?
A: The Cemetery Board does not buy back graves. If you have proof of ownership (a deed in your name, or a Will or Trust indicating that you inherited the deed) for an unoccupied grave or graves at Lyonsville Cemetery and you want to sell them on your own, you can sell to any interested buyer. However, be aware there
usually is no ready market for such sales. Also be cautious as sale ads in the paper and online ads often attract scam artists these days. We recommend finding a buyer through personal contacts, religious organizations, and possibly funeral homes.
In the event you are able to find a buyer, there is needed documentation for the sale. You will have to notify the Lyonsville Cemetery Board of the sale and provide us with the existing deed and the name, address, email address, and phone number of the buyer so that we can cancel your current deed and re-issue a new deed to the new owner.
Q: Can I donate my grave(s) back to the Cemetery Association?
A: Yes, if you have proof of ownership (a deed in your name or a Will or Trust indicating that you inherited the deed) you can donate a grave back to the Cemetery Association. And we are always appreciative of your
donation! As we are a not-for-profit organization, the donation may be tax deductible to you. Contact your tax advisor for guidance based on your specific situation.
Q: I believe my family has an unused grave(s) at Lyonsville but I cannot find the deed. Can I use it?
A: A deed is needed to bury someone at the Cemetery. The person in possession of the deed has the right to direct the Cemetery Board to bury someone in an unoccupied grave of the deed. If your family deed cannot be located, contact the Cemetery Board to determine who is the recorded owner(s) of the grave(s) per the Cemetery records. Unless specifically devised by a Will or Trust (including reference to the specific lot number, grave number(s), and Cemetery name), a cemetery grave(s) is inherited by the descendent(s) of the named deed owner(s). You will need to work with other members of your family (the legal living descendants of the owner/owners) to reach an agreement on who should be the new named owner(s) of the re-issued deed. The Cemetery Board then needs to be informed of the agreement by your family.
The Cemetery Board will then complete our Missing Deed Document Form which contains background information regarding who originally purchased the deed, date, lot number and grave number(s), current unoccupied grave(s) of the deed, information regarding who are the legal descendent(s) of the owner(s), and your family’s agreed upon name of the new owner(s) for the re-issued deed. This completed form will then need to be signed and dated by all the legal
living descendants and returned to the Cemetery Board. The Cemetery Board then sends to the agreed upon new owner(s) a copy of that completed form along with the re-issued deed. (Note: even though a deed may be issued
in more than one owner’s name there is only one deed and it will be sent to only one address. As mentioned previously, it is the person in possession of a deed who has the right to direct the Cemetery Board to bury someone in an unoccupied grave of the deed.)
Lyonsville Cemetery 