Regulations
This list is effective October 10, 2025. Please observe the following regulations. Our graves allow the interment rights of up to one casket and two cremated remains, or no casket and up to four cremated remains in each grave.
- There are no burials on holidays, holiday weekends, or Sundays.
- At least two business days’ notice is required for all requests for openings. Please check with office personnel regarding opening requirements for winter months.
- No interment will be made without a board of health permit, a signed authorized interment order, and all fees paid.
- Every interment shall be made enclosed in a concrete box or vault.
- All cremated remains shall be received in a sealed urn or a permanent durable container.
- Prices are subject to change without notice.
Woodlawn-North Purchase Cemeteries Associations (“WLNP” or the “Cemetery”) is a private nonprofit cemetery corporation organized under Massachusetts Law, with the power and duty to provide the care and management of its properties. In accordance with such power and duty, WLNP promulgates the following Rules and Regulations so as to assure its preservation, improvement, and protection as a resting place for past generations and as a place of serenity and beauty for quiet enjoyment by the families and friends of the deceased. WLNP is a non-denominational cemetery and respects the religious and cultural customs of all families.
A deed, certificate, or grave receipt for a cemetery lot, columbarium niche, or mausoleum crypt does not convey a fee or grant any ownership interest in the land or soil of the Cemetery; it conveys a right of burial or an easement to use the lot, niche, or crypt for the remains of the deceased for so long as WLNP’s property continues to be used as a cemetery, subject to the present and future rules and regulations of the Cemetery.
• Visitors are welcome to walk, bicycle, or drive (at no more than 10 MPH) on the Cemetery property.
• Visitors are to wear proper attire, including shirts and footwear, and respect the privacy and solemnity of graveside services.
• Jogging and fast walking are acceptable, but for safety reasons, we recommend no earphones are worn when doing so on Cemetery property.
• The walking of dogs is permitted on the path/road only; so long as the dog stays on a leash, and any waste is immediately picked up and properly disposed of.
• Visitors, when on the grounds, are at their own risk, and WLNP assumes no responsibility or liability for any injury that visitors may sustain while on the property.
• Children aged 12 and under are welcome to visit, but must be accompanied by an adult who shall bear responsibility for their conduct.
• Pedestrians are expected to walk only on the roadways or lanes designated for pedestrian use. If the only access to a lot is across another lot, then the necessary crossing is permitted.
• Vehicular travel shall be limited to the Cemetery roadways, and shall be done slowly and as quietly as possible.
• The Cemetery property, including its roadways, is to be closed to visitors from dusk until dawn.
• To maintain a peaceful and dignified environment for all, visitors are expected to refrain from interrupting or disturbing graveside services. Additionally, we ask that all visitors show respect for the cultural and religious customs observed by others. Disruptive, disrespectful, or antagonistic behavior towards any religious or cultural practices will not be tolerated.
The following are prohibited at Woodlawn North Purchase Cemeteries:
• Bringing, leaving, consuming, or using alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs (including the smoking of marijuana) on property.
• Dumping, littering of any kind, or lighting fires.
• Sunbathing, lounging, or picnicking.
• The playing of loud music or amplified sound.
• Use of drones.
• Performing any work within the Cemetery without the WLNP Superintendent’s permission.
• Soliciting or selling any product or service.
• Placement of any signs, political banners, notices, or advertisements.
• Weapons of any kind (Military funerals and law enforcement officers excepted).
• ATVs, snow mobiles, dirt bikes, go karts, sleds, skis, toboggans, and skateboards.
• Disturbing or damaging any structure, tree, plant, shrub, or grass area.
• Photography, videography, or recording of persons other than those in your own party.
• The use of trail or game cameras is prohibited. Absolutely no hunting is allowed anywhere on property.
• Individuals wishing to film or take photographs or video on Cemetery grounds intended for public or commercial publication are prohibited from doing so without the permission of the Superintendent. Such permission shall be in writing, and any film, photograph, or video that is intended to be used in such manner must also be approved prior to its publication.
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: artificial flowers or plants, glass containers, solar or artificial lighting, candles, wind chimes, pinwheels, balloons, toys, garden ornaments, banners, metal rods, birdhouses, environmentally harmful items, and hand-made monuments—unless specifically approved by the Superintendent. Such items will be removed and disposed of without notice. Seeing an item on another grave does not mean it is allowed. It may be there by exception—or in violation and simply not yet removed.
Please note: Shepherd’s hooks will no longer be allowed as of June 1, 2026. We kindly ask that you remove any existing shepherd’s hooks at your earliest convenience, and avoid placing any new ones. All remaining hooks will be removed and discarded by cemetery staff in June as part of regular maintenance.
Winter holiday decorations such as artificial wreaths and small potted trees (no lights) are allowed from December 1 through January 31. Although cleanup may not begin immediately and could extend into February or March (weather permitting), a delayed cleanup does not imply an extension of the display period.
Decorations for other holidays are allowed for one week before and one week after the holiday.
Fences, hedges, curbing enclosures, ironwork, wire work, seats, vases, landscape lighting and corner posts above grade require approval, and may be removed and disposed of by the Cemetery without notice.
Cemetery personnel may at any time enter upon any lots or graves or other Cemetery property to keep the area neat and clear of grass, weeds, and debris, as well as to remove any unallowed artifacts or other items determined to be harmful, unsightly, offensive, or improper in a cemetery setting. The Cemetery reserves sole discretion in making these determinations to preserve the dignity and beauty of the grounds.
Objects that are deteriorated, rusted, unsafe, or in violation of Cemetery rules will be removed and disposed of without consent or notice. The Cemetery is not liable for the theft, damage, loss or disposal of any item, including keepsakes, sentimental items, or decorations. We make every effort to maintain a respectful and secure environment, however all items, even those in compliance with Cemetery rules, are placed at the owner’s risk.
No items may be placed more than 18 inches from the front of a monument, nor may anything be placed along the sides or rear of a monument without the Superintendent’s approval. Encasing, enclosing, or surrounding a lot or grave in any way is not permitted.
Settling cracks in a new burial ground are a normal and expected part of the process. Over time, rain and gravity cause the soil to compress, eliminating underground air pockets and causing the surface to sink. Our landscaping team will manage the settling and perform repairs; be advised that this may take up to several months. New graves will be seeded; however, we cannot guarantee that grass on every individual lot will grow evenly or remain consistently green. While we strive to maintain the overall appearance of the Cemetery, our responsibility is to provide reasonable, ongoing care for the grounds as a whole. As a result, individual grave plots may not always appear uniformly manicured, particularly in areas where personal items limit access for routine maintenance.
Our landscaping team does not remove items placed on graves during routine maintenance, as the time-consuming process of removing and replacing them for each individual plot is not feasible. Instead, they work around such items, which can result in overgrown grass in those areas. This is particularly common with newer graves, as newer grass tends to grow quickly and may appear unkempt sooner. If this is a concern, we kindly suggest minimizing items that might interfere with maintenance activities.
Finally, please understand that certain natural factors—such as inconsistent grass growth, settling, or leaves falling faster than they can be cleared—are beyond our control. Additionally, all cemetery maintenance, including grass cutting, trimming, weed control, and the removal of unapproved items, is carried out in stages. As a result, some areas of the Cemetery may appear more recently maintained than others at any given time. We also note that certain decorative features, such as shrubs or plantings, may have been placed many years ago and are considered “grandfathered in” under previous rules. For this reason, we kindly ask that families avoid comparing the appearance of individual graves, as each one may be subject to different conditions or historical allowances. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation as we strive to maintain a respectful and serene resting place for your loved ones.
The cemetery provides access to water during the warmer months to assist families in caring for flowers and plants at their loved ones’ gravesites. This service is offered as a courtesy and is not guaranteed. We choose to provide it to support the community and maintain a respectful environment, but we ask for your understanding that water may be unavailable at times.
Responsible Usage:
Water must be used responsibly. Please ensure taps are fully turned off after use. Wasting water, misuse, or leaving taps running may result in the system being shut off to prevent damage or overuse. Misuse directly affects all visitors. Misuse includes but is not limited to water being used for washing vehicles or other non-gravesite-related purposes.
Reporting Issues:
We rely on visitors to help us keep the system running smoothly. If you notice a broken tap or any water-related issue, please notify cemetery staff as soon as possible. Early reporting helps prevent extended outages.
Temporary Water Shut-Offs:
From time to time, water may be turned off unexpectedly due to necessary repairs or maintenance, vandalism or damage caused by improper use, efforts to prevent system failure or conserve resources, etc.
We kindly ask visitors not to contact staff with concerns about water outages or to inquire when service will be restored. We are aware of outages and are either actively addressing the issue or awaiting appropriate conditions or contractor availability for repair. An exact timeline is often not available.
Seasonal Availability:
There is no set date for when the water will be turned on each spring. Activation depends entirely on weather conditions. The water cannot be turned on until overnight temperatures consistently remain above freezing to avoid burst pipes and costly damage.
This water service is provided at the cemetery’s expense, as a courtesy to families. We appreciate your patience and understanding during times when water is unavailable. Your cooperation helps us maintain a peaceful and well-kept environment for everyone to visit and remember their loved ones.
• Families may select a monument company of their choice; however, home-made monuments are not permitted.
• All monuments, markers, and memorials are subject to the Cemetery’s approval. WLNP reserves the right to approve and prescribe the kind, size, design, symbolism, craftsmanship, quality, and material of any monument, inscription, or marker placed or intended to be placed within the Cemetery.
• The size and type of monument permitted depends on the section of the Cemetery, the number of graves purchased, and the intended use of space within those graves.
• The location and orientation of any monument or marker must be approved by the Cemetery.
• No more than one upright (or slant) headstone is allowed per lot; however, multiple flat markers may be permitted.
• A signed interment order and proof of interment rights (preferably by presenting a grave receipt) must be provided for any burial, along with the proper documentation—including a burial permit and, for cremated remains, a certificate of cremation—and payment of the appropriate fees.
• Interments must be scheduled with a minimum of two (2) business days’ notice, and while we will do our best to accommodate preferences, specific dates and times cannot be guaranteed.
• No interments will be performed after 2:00 PM, nor on Sundays, holidays, or holiday weekends.
• Interment fees may not be paid more than two (2) weeks in advance, unless approved by the office, as fees are subject to change.
• WLNP does not accept personal checks, credit/debit cards, or payment plans. All payments must be made in full, by one of the following methods: Cash, Bank check, Money order, or Business check from a funeral home.
• The use of one full-grave space is limited to the following interment combinations, unless otherwise approved by the Cemetery:
One full-casket burial; or One full-casket burial and up to two urns of cremated remains; or No casket and up to four urns of cremated remains.
• A grave receipt, certificate, or grave deed grants only the right of interment, not ownership of land or the right to make changes or place decorations without approval. All use of the lot is subject to Cemetery rules and regulations.
• Anyone planning a large gathering or event at the Cemetery must first obtain approval from Cemetery staff to ensure it does not conflict with scheduled burials or other services.
• Private contractors and others shall be held responsible for any damage done to lots, graves, paths, roads, plantings, trees, structures, or to the lawn, and all necessary precautions shall be taken to avoid damage.
• The Cemetery reserves the right to resurvey and subdivide unsold lots or plots or parts thereof.
• The right of interment in a plot or lot or any unoccupied portion thereof may not be sold, but may be resold to the Cemetery at the price originally paid. The Cemetery shall have no obligation to purchase a lot or any portion thereof offered for sale by a lot holder. Such right of interment shall be transferable (but not salable) by the lot holder pursuant to definite, reasonable and practical written instructions filed with the Cemetery, pursuant to the lot holder’s duly probated last will, or pursuant to the intestate laws of Massachusetts. For more information about transferring interment rights, please contact the Cemetery office.
• In the event the Cemetery has erred (by human error, incorrect information given, incorrect records, or otherwise) either in making interments or in the placing of structures or in any inscriptions or records, the Cemetery shall not be held liable, and shall have the right to make any necessary corrections.
• It is the duty of each owner of the right to use a plot or lot for interment, or his or her representative, to notify the Cemetery of any changes in the owner’s or representative’s mailing address and of any other contact information changes.
• The Cemetery should be contacted in regards to any and all questions which may arise under its Rules and Regulations, as well as any matters which are not specifically addressed therein.
• The Cemetery Rules and Regulations are intended to be in conformity with the by laws of the Cemetery and with the charter through which it exists. All interments, disinterments, cremations, dispositions, and removals shall be subject to the laws, ordinances, and regulations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and of the City of Attleboro which are now or from time-to-time hereafter may be in force.
• The Cemetery shall have the right to enforce its Rules and Regulations by taking such actions as it deems reasonably necessary so as to ensure that its properties are maintained in a safe, attractive, serene and dignified manner for all families and friends of the deceased and for all other visitors to its properties.
• The Cemetery reserves the right to amend, suspend, revise, alter, or modify any of its Rules and Regulations at any time, with or without notice, as it shall deem necessary or appropriate for its purposes as a private nonprofit cemetery association.
These Rules & Regulations are intended to preserve the dignity, serenity, and respectful maintenance of Woodlawn-North Purchase Cemeteries. We appreciate your cooperation in honoring the memory of those laid to rest here, and we are available to assist you with any questions or concerns.