Highland Meadow Cemetery FAQ
Where is Highland Meadow Cemetery located? Highland Meadow Cemetery is located at #700 Concord Avenue. Going up Concord Avenue from the Police Station/Town Hall, the cemetery land begins on your left. The entrance is opposite Somerset Street.
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Where may I see a lot layout display? Displays are located at the Belmont Cemetery on Grove Street, the Department of Public Works in the Homer Building (Annex) and at the main library on Concord Avenue.
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Who will be allowed to purchase a lot(s)? Current Belmont residents and Belmont taxpayers only may purchase lots.
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Where do I go to buy a lot(s)? You may purchase your lot(s) at the Belmont Cemetery office, 121 Grove Street, Belmont, MA. Staffed office hours are generally: Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Please call the Grove Street Office at (617) 993-2710 for more information.
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Who do I make my check payable to? Your check should be made payable to the Town of Belmont.
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Will I be allowed to have a headstone or monument on my lot? Only one flat marker per grave will be allowed (more than one name can go on the marker). No upright headstones or monuments will be allowed. Markers are subject to approval of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners.
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What size flat markers are allowed? On a single lot, the marker may be
30” x 15” x 6”. On a double lot, the marker may be 42” x 15” x 6”. On a cremation lot, the marker may be 24” x 12” x 6”.
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May I plant anything on my lot(s)? No lots will be allowed to have any plantings. Flowers arriving with the deceased will be left on the lot until they become unsightly or for up to one week.
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Will there be Veterans’ Section? No section has been designated for Veterans at this time. We still have a designated Veterans area available in the Belmont Cemetery.
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Will flags be allowed on the lot of a Veteran? Yes, at the discretion of the Cemetery Commissioners during specified times.
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May I have a Government Marker and a regular flat marker? Yes, you may have a flat marker (size specified above) and a Government marker at the foot of the lot.
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Why should I purchase a lot now in advance of need? We have only been authorized to develop the first four acres of the fourteen-acre site. There is no guarantee that Town Meetings of the future will authorize additional development for a cemetery.
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How many lots am I allowed to purchase now? There is no limit at this time. However, the purchaser of the burial rights to the lot must be a Belmont resident or a Belmont tax payer. We will only sell lots to the end user.
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What are the three zones of the cemetery?
The Meadow Zone ($4,000) is in the center and will be maintained as a spring meadow open and peaceful. A cremation lot in this zone costs $1,300.
The Woodland Zone ($6,000) is at the rear of the cemetery (near the Belmont Day School) and has a dense canopy of trees. A cremation lot in this zone costs $2,000.
The Orchard Zone ($8,000) is at the entrance to the cemetery and will have flowering trees and shrubs. A cremation lot in this zone costs $2,600.
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Why are there different prices for each zone? There are fewer lots available in the Orchard zone and the Woodland zone. Each zone has a different requirement for maintenance and perpetual care.
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Will you offer payment plans? No. It will be up to individuals to finance their purchases. Check on pre-burial arrangements with your funeral director.
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May I pay by credit card? No because the Town loses money and has to pay a percentage for your purchase. Is there any discount for senior citizens? No
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Will there be a so-called Potters Field for the poor? No. The Belmont Cemetery can accommodate the indigent once verification of finances has been made on an individual case basis.
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If I purchase my lot(s) in advance of need and my relative dies a non-resident of Belmont, may I bury him/her in my lot? Yes. This advance purchase of lots may last only a set amount of time. The Cemetery Commissioners may return to the policy of only on an “as needed” basis.
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After I purchase my lot, will there be additional charges to open a grave? Yes. There will be charges to open a grave for regular depth, to open a grave deep, to open a cremation grave, as well as additional charges for non residents and for Saturday openings.
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Will the cemetery require a liner box or a vault for each burial? Yes.
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May I have my loved ones name inscribed on a wall marker? This has not been authorized at the present time.