Rules and Information
The Altus Cemetery is a “General Care” type cemetery in accordance with State Law #26-101. As a “General Care Cemetery” the lot owner, next-of-kin or person making the funeral arrangements assumes primary care taking responsibility to maintain lots. This responsibility also becomes a joint effort between the lot owner/caretaker and the City, because we realize many people are unable to care for their lots and some situations require special equipment. Persons who are willing and able to care for their lot are asked to please comply with the rules listed below and in the City Cemetery Ordinance. Operations of the City Cemetery are under the direction of the Cemetery Sexton.

• LOT
  A full lot is 12 feet wide by 24 feet long with five grave spaces.
• ½ LOT
  A half lot is 12 feet wide by 12 feet long with two grave spaces.
• SPACE
  A space may be 4’9” X 12’ or 6’X12’.
• BURIAL
  All arrangements must be fully coordinated with the Cemetery office. Burial locations are the responsibility of the lot owner, next-of-kin, or person making the funeral arrangements. Based on information given, Cemetery Sexton will establish burial location for funeral home digging. Etc.
• MONUMENTS
  Monuments come in all shapes and sizes, too many variations to list in this booklet. Specifics are available through the monument companies or the Cemetery office.
• MONUMENT SETTING FEE
  The City Ordinance requires a permit fee prior to setting a monument. This fee may be billed to an approved monument company. Permits can also be purchased from the Cemetery office.
• TEMPORARY MARKERS
  These are provided by a funeral home for use until a regular monument is set. These markers will deteriorate rapidly and eventually must be removed from the grave.
• CERTIFICATES OF OWNERSHIP (DEEDS)
  These are written and mailed by the City Clerk and are mailed to the lot owner, next-of-kin, or the funeral home. If you fail to receive one, please contact the Cemetery office for assistance.
• LANDSCAPING
  Due to long term maintenance problems and mowing requirements, the following are not permitted in the Cemetery:
1. Bricks, stones, rocks, pipes, concrete curbing, etc. around the lots.
2. Loose rock/chat, wood, or other types of lot filler material.
3. Herbicides
4. Glass or other breakables
5. Cactus or rose bushes NOTE: Before any live flowers are placed on a lot/ space, please contact the Cemetery Sexton.
6. Fences or other non-monument structures
7. No grass shall be removed from any lot unless arrangements are made for re-seeding, etc. (No plain dirt lots, please).
8. Watering no longer than (2) hours
• DECORATION
  All wreaths, etc. must be tied down to prevent wind blowing. Southwest Oklahoma winds tend to scatter the wreaths onto neighboring lots and are a lost to you.
• MEMENTOS
  Please do not leave any type of mementos on your space or lot. Things have a way of disappearing and these mementos are precious to you.
• PURCHASING LOTS
  Arrangements in advance (pre-need) for lot buying may be handled through the Cemetery office.
• VETERAN MONUMENTS
  Ordering Veteran monuments can be made through a funeral home or the Cemetery office. You may pay a monument company to set your stone or volunteer labor through the local VFW Post will set your stone at no charge.
• DONATIONS
  The Cemetery has a “General Care Fund”. Donations to this fund may be made at the Cemetery office. This fund is used to help buy new cemetery land, cemetery improvements and new equipment. Donations are strictly voluntary.
• CONCERNS OR COMPLAINTS
  Please refer all concerns or complaints to the Cemetery Sexton for resolution. Every effort will be made to accommodate you. Please call the numbers listed above for appointments or come by the Cemetery office. We welcome visits and suggestions.