St. Joseph Cemetery
320 Shrigley Dr.
West Branch MI
St. Joseph Cemetery is located approximately two or three blocks south of Houghton Ave (M55/Business I75) on South Valley across from Bortz Health Care and just south of Irons Park.
The cemetery is owned and operated by the Parish of St. Joseph, 961 West Houghton Ave, West Branch MI 48661, (989) 345-0064. It is managed under the guidance of a volunteer parish cemetery board, consisting of five members knowledgeable of the parish membership and the history of the parish and its cemetery.
St. Joseph Cemetery is intended for burial of Catholics and members of their families who are entitled to Christian burial according to the rules and discipline of the Roman Catholic Church.
Cemetery Visitation
St. Joseph Cemetery is a holy place, a place to help people face the hard reality of death in the context of the Promise of Eternal Life. It is a place of prayer for the dead where love is remembered, hope rekindled, and faith awakened and strengthened.
When visiting the graves of our beloved dead, we are inclined to bring some gifts as a sign of our love, affection, and devotion. This may be a floral tribute to commemorate an important day. For veterans, the custom has been to decorate with flags on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Flag Day.
For Catholics it may be a good deed done in memory of a deceased: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting those in person, consoling the sorrowful, giving of ones time, talents and treasure for the sake of others.
Appropriate Decorations
· There will be no plantings, glass containers, vigil/perpetual or solar lights, urns, statuary or other decorations, or benches not part of the grave marker.
· Flowers, whether unplanted, natural or artificial, are permitted on a burial space without limitation for a period of two weeks after interment therein unless they become unsightly,
· Flowers, whether unplanted, natural or artificial, are, except as provided under the above rule, limited to one arrangement per head stone hung from a shepherd hook furnished or approved by the parish from May 1st to October 1st of each year. Floral arrangements are not to be stuck in the ground.
· Grave blankets will be permitted from December 1st and are to be removed by April 15th.
· Cemetery personnel have the authority to remove all floral arrangements, etc, if they do not conform to cemetery regulations.
· The Parish of St. Joseph is not responsible for loss or damage to decorations caused by the elements, vandals, thieves or by other causes beyond its control.
Grave Markers and Monuments
Markers and monuments are not to encroach on any other lot-holders grave spaces. All epitaphs and symbols are to be in the spirit of the Catholic Church. The cross our Catholic sign is encouraged on every marker and monument.
Single grave markers are not to exceed 24 in length and 16 in width nor be less than 4 in thickness. Double grave markers are not to exceed 48 in length, 16 in width nor be less than 6 in thickness. Foot markers need to be flush with the ground. Head markers and monuments are not to exceed 36 in height. The die of the monument shall not exceed 60 in length and 16 in width. The marker shall be readable from the foot of the grave.
Only cemetery personnel shall lay all foundations for markers and monuments.
The parish is not responsible for loss or damage to markers and monuments by vandals, thieves or other causes.
Charges
Grave site/one burial right
Parishioners $300
All others $400
(Second burial right on a grave site $100)
Opening and closing grave $300
Cremains and Infants $75
Delayed burials of cremains to a weekend or holiday $125
Transferring burial Rights at St. Joseph Cemetery, West Branch MI
Unused burial rights (spaces) no longer anticipated to be used by the purchaser or his/her heirs may be transferred to other family members or family relatives with approval of cemetery committee, donated back to the cemetery or returned to the cemetery in exchange for the original cost. They may not be sold!