ORDINANCE 437
AMENDING ANNANDALE CITY CODE CHAPTER 54
REGULATING CEMETERY REGULATION
The Council of the City of Annandale, Minnesota does hereby ordain:
Section 1. Code Amended. Chapter 54 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
SECTION 54.01 PURCHASE OF GRAVES:
(A) All fees or charges shall be set by the City Council and are payable to the City of Annandale
(B) No grave shall be reserved with the intent to purchase for any reason.
(C) Upon full payment of the purchase price of a grave, the City of Annandale will issue a cemetery deed/certificate of ownership conveying the grave, executed by the City, and the deed/certificate of ownership shall be recorded in the records of the City. Description of the grave/interment space will be in accordance with the cemetery plats, which are kept on file at the City Hall.
SECTION 54.02 CONDITIONS OF GRAVE PURCHASE:
(A) All graves will be sold subject to these rules and regulations, or those hereafter adopted. The purchaser shall expressly agree, in the deed/certificate ownership conveying the lot their rights are subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as the City Council may adopt. The deed/certificate of ownership, and these rules and regulations, and any amendments, constitute the sale agreement between the cemetery and the lot owner.
(B) No grave shall be used for any purpose other than the burial of human remains and the placing of appropriate memorials, as per the rules and regulations of the cemetery.
(C) No easement or right of interment is granted to any grave owner in any road, drive, alley, or walkway within the cemetery, but such road, drive, alley, or walkway may be used as a means of access to the owner’s cemetery grave or graves. The City reserves, and shall have, the right to correct any errors that may be made by it either in making interments, disinterment, or removals, or in the description, transfer, or conveyance of any interment property, either by canceling such conveyance and substituting and conveying in lieu thereof other interment property of equal value and similar location, as far as possible, or as may be selected by the City, or in sole discretion of the City, by refunding the amount of money paid on account of said purchase. In the event that such error shall involve the interment of remains of any person in such property, the City reserves, and will have, the right to remove or transfer such remains so interred to other property of equal value and similar location as may be substituted and conveyed in lieu thereof.
SECTION 54.03 TRANSFER OF GRAVES:
(A) The owner of a cemetery grave may transfer the grave:
(1) To the City of Annandale in accordance with section 54.09,
(2) Any of his/her relatives, who may survive him/her by will for the use and benefit of the person designated in the will, or
(3) To other persons not related to him/her.
(B)In all cases, the owner must complete and have signed by a Notary Public, a Transfer of Ownership document provided by the City of Annandale. The transfer of ownership document must be approved by the City prior to the transfer of graves by the owner. When a transfer has been made in conformance with these rules, the City will issue a deed/certificate of ownership to the new owner.
(C) No grave will be permitted to be re-sold, disposed of, or otherwise used until the purchase price, and all unpaid charges, have been paid in full.
(D) No cemetery grave may be re-sold or otherwise disposed of, without approval of the City of Annandale. Grave owners may not allow interments to be made on their grave unless the transfer of grave process has been completed.
SECTION 54.04 DESCENT OF GRAVES or COLUMBARIUM NICHE:
On the death of a deed/Certificate owner unless designated by the original deed/certificate owner either to the cemetery, on the original deed/certificate or in a will or trust, no additional burials will occur in any one grave. Graves that remain unassigned will be reclaimed by the cemetery after 60 years of no burial or assignment.
SECTION 54.05 BURIAL PERMITS:
A burial permit shall be issued and delivered to the City of Annandale for all burials in the cemetery. In the case of a cremation burial the certificate of cremation shall be delivered to the City of Annandale.
SECTION 54.06 INTERMENT
(A) Deed/Certificate owners are granted only the right of interment in their columbarium niche or cemetery grave. The City of Annandale reserves the right to refuse to permit the interment of anyone who is not at the time the owner of the lot, or a relative of the owner, by blood or marriage. Permission, in writing, and with the seal of a Notary Public, of the grave owner must accompany all requests for permits to bury persons not members of the immediate family of the grave owner
(B) No interment shall be made except upon notice to the Cemetery Sexton a minimum of 2 business days in advance of the time of the intended interment.
(C) Only cemetery staff or designated agents may dig graves to ensure safety and adherence to layout standards.
(D) No grave shall be opened nor interment made until all interment fees have been paid.
(E) All funerals shall be under the direction of the Cemetery Sexton upon entering of a City Cemetery.
(F) No casket shall be interred unless enclosed in a concrete burial vault or concrete grave liner (box). No cremation remains shall be interred unless in a permanent container.
(G) The numbers and combinations of urns and caskets permitted to be buried in any given grave lot are as follows:
i. One adult casket, or
ii. Two child’s caskets, or
iii. Two urns, or
iv. One casket and one urn.
(H) The Cemetery Sexton may require that planks be laid over grass or paths when graves are being opened or closed or when vaults are installed.
(I) No interments may be made in the cemetery unless all the ordinances, rules, and regulations regarding interments have been complied with and until the purchase price of said lot and all burial fees are paid, or arrangements have been made with the City to pay for such costs.
(J) The cost of interments, including the burial of ashes, shall be determined by the City, and is subject to change. A current fee schedule may be obtained at the City offices.
SECTION 54.07 COLUMBARIUM
(A) Ownership of inurnment space in a columbarium shall be considered the same as ownership of other cemetery property and shall descend according to state law.
(B) No more than two urns or vases can be placed within a single niche.
(C) The initial opening and closing of a columbarium niche for the interment of cremains is included in the sale price conducted during regular business hours. However, applicable charges, to be paid in advance, will be levied for the opening outside of business hours or of a sealed niche for any other reason.
(D) The niche face plate is removed by the City of Annandale cemetery employees only.
(E) The etching of the niche face plate will be done by a contractor of the City of Annandale.
(F) Flower holders, vases, or other fixtures shall not be allowed to be attached to the columbarium
(G) The removal of the cremains from the niche shall be considered a disinterment. At that time the niche shall be forfeited to the City of Annandale and resold. The etched or engraved niche front shall remain the property of the family. The cost of replacing the double niche front and etching or engraving the adjacent “door” (if needed) back to exactly how it was shall be the responsibility of the City.
(H) The City of Annandale is not responsible for any loss or damage caused by an act of elements, thieves, vandals or any malicious doings to personal property.
(I) Ownership of inurnment space and their heirs must adhere to these regulations.
SECTION 54.08 DELAY OF INTERMENT
The City of Annandale will not be liable for any delay in the interment of a body when a protest to the interment has been made or where failure to comply with rules and regulations result in delay of interment.
SECTION 54.09 DISINTERMENTS
Before any grave may be opened for any purpose, written approval by a duly authorized public authority must be provided. The costs of disinterment shall be determined by the City.
SECTION 54.10 MONUMENTS AND MARKERS
(A) MONUMENTS
(1) Monuments currently in place may remain and be maintained. Replacement shall be in accord with these regulations. Raised monuments, markers and all memorials in Pleasantview Cemetery must be placed on the concrete ribbon provided.
(2) All monuments shall be placed in accord with the instructions and conditions of the Cemetery Sexton.
(3) The Cemetery Sexton is instructed that, so far as is practicable, placement shall be made so as to allow and facilitate the use of mechanical cleaning and mowing equipment:
a) There shall be a minimum distance of 72 inches from the nearest monument or structure whenever possible.
b) Each monument shall be placed on a concrete foundation which will be a minimum thickness of four inches; the foundation shall be flush with the ground; the base of the monument shall be a minimum of four inches from the edge of the concrete foundation.
c) The maximum height of a monument is 32 inches; the maximum length is 36 inches; the maximum width is 18 inches.
(4) Four-inch wide white, cement skirts around markers will be required for all flat markers in the cemetery. It will be the responsibility of the owner to have the marker set; however in the event it is set in the white cement, the City shall supervise the work. Any contractors and others involved in such activity must notify the City before commencing any work thereon. No artificial lights will be permitted.
(B) MARKERS
(1) Every marker must be placed as directed by the Cemetery Sexton.
(2) No marker nor any part thereof may be constructed of limestone, sandstone, or any other material which is not approved by the Cemetery Sexton.
(3) Markers shall be set level with the sod. Foot markers must be flush with established grade.
(4) Markers shall not exceed the following dimensions; three feet in length, one and one-half feet in width, and four inches in depth.
(D) GENERAL
(1) No monument or marker or permanent planting may be placed in a City Cemetery without the written approval of the Cemetery Sexton.
(2) All work in a City Cemetery, of whatever kind, must be carried on subject to the direction and control of the Public Works Director. Contractors and others engaged in such work must notify the Public Works Director before beginning the same.
(3) Persons engaged in erecting a monument or other structure upon a lot are prohibited from attaching ropes or cables to trees or other objects in the Cemetery without express permission from the Public Works Director and are likewise prohibited from placing material on adjoining lots or allowing the same to remain on the ground longer than is necessary and they must permit no unnecessary delay in completing the work after it has been commenced. In order to protect paths and grass from injury, the Public Works Director may require that planks be laid over them when heavy material is to be moved.
SECTION 54.11 PERMANENT CARE
The general care of the cemetery is assumed by the City and includes the following:
(A) Cutting of grass at reasonable intervals.
(B) Raking and cleaning the grounds.
(C) Pruning and/or removal of shrubs and trees.
(D) Periodic removal of all artificial, temporary or other plantings and flowers.
(E) Maintaining the general preservation of the lots and grounds, walks, roadways, boundaries, and structures.
(F) The general care of the cemetery may be awarded by contract to private firms by the City, if desired.
(G) General care of the cemetery assumed by the City shall not include the maintenance, repair, or replacement of any grave marker or memorial placed or erected upon lots, nor shall it include any special or unusual work.
SECTION 54.12 LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS AND DECORATIONS:
(A) Any memorial, planting, decoration or other personal items left at a gravesite that are not in accordance with the rules of this section, will be removed without notice.
(B) Permanent Plantings are not permitted within the City Cemetery except those authorized in writing by the Public Works Director.
(C) Plants and flowers may be placed above ground, in pots or stands. No more than two pots or stands are allowed per gravesite. Pots and stands are not permitted to be placed in front of the monument or to encroach on adjacent plots. For Woodlawn, the pots or stands must be located on the sides of the monument. For Pleasantview, the pots or stands must be located on the concrete ribbon. Any pot placed on the ground will not be the responsibility of the City of Annandale, or its employees, should it be destroyed. Flowers and other items placed directly on the grave may be removed by the City prior to routine cutting of the grass. Glass Containers, solar lights, balloons and Shepherd’s Hooks are not permitted.
(D) Pots, urns or stands that are left unused on a grave for a period of one (1) year will be removed by the City.
(E) All landscaping, grading, and seeding shall be done by the City of Annandale or its approved contractor. All graves will be seeded and kept flush with the adjacent ground. When weather conditions allow, seeding will be done following the burial.
(F) The City will make water available to grave owners for care of flowers and plants in pots, set in stands, from spring to fall of each year, depending on weather. Grave owners may water the grass covering their graves.
(G) Organizations’ metal markers must be placed in the foundation of the marker or monument. Markers are allowed in the concrete ribbon at Pleasantview Cemetery with City approval. No zip ties, wires, rope or other temporary means are allowed in securing metal markers.
(H) The City cannot be held responsible for any damages, loss, or theft, of any personal property such as flowers, plants, decorations, vases, crocks, markers, monuments, etc.
(I) The first week in May will be designated as Spring Cleanup in the cemetery. Easter arrangements will be allowed one week before and one week after Easter.
(J) The last week in October will be designated as Fall Cleanup in the cemetery. All items left on the ground will be disposed of and the City will not accept liability for such items. The City recommends that above ground pots and stands should be removed before the first freeze and can be replaced at the appropriate grave site after the completion of Spring Cleanup. If pots and stands are left year- round, the City will not accept responsibility for such items if they are destroyed due to weather, snow plowing, vandalism, etc. All damaged items will be removed by the City during Spring Cleanup.
(K) Flowers for Memorial Day must be removed within two weeks. Flowers remaining after two weeks will be disposed.
(L) All items (toys, rocks, coins, garden stones/plaques, pinwheels, solar lights, etc.) left at a gravesite are subject to removal by the caretaker(s) without notice.
SECTION 54.13 GENERAL PROVISIONS
(A) Persons within a City cemetery shall use only the paths and walkways, and no one is permitted to walk upon or across lots or graves unless it is necessary to do so to gain access to one’s own lot. The City expressly disclaims any liability for any injuries sustained by anyone violating this rule.
(B) Persons visiting a City cemetery or attending funerals are strictly prohibited from writing upon, defacing, or injuring any memorial and from breaking or injuring any tree, shrub, plant or other structure within the cemetery grounds.
(C) The following acts in addition to any other applicable violations of City ordinances and regulations are expressly prohibited:
(1) The driving of motor vehicles into a cemetery, unless attending a funeral, visiting a relative or friend’s grave site, or carrying on maintenance work authorized by the City.
(2) The driving or parking of any motor vehicle across or upon any grave or lot.
(3) The driving of any motor vehicle in excess of ten miles-per-hour within cemetery grounds.
(4) Loud or boisterous talking or music.
(5) Bringing lunches or refreshments into a cemetery or consuming them on the grounds.
(6) Dogs and other family pets are not permitted on cemetery grounds, with the exception of Seeing Eye dogs.
(7) Peddling or soliciting the sale of any commodity within cemetery grounds.
(8) Placing of signs, notices, or advertisements of any kind within a cemetery.
(9) Bringing firearms into a cemetery except by military escort accompanying a veteran’s funeral, attending memorial services, or by police officers while in the line of duty.
(D) Special cases may arise in which the literal enforcement or interpretation of a rule may impose an unnecessary hardship. In such cases the City reserves the right to make exceptions, suspensions, or modifications of any of these rules and regulations, when the City deems that such action appears to be necessary. Such a temporary exception, suspension, or modifications shall in no way be construed as affecting the general application of such rules and regulations.
(E) The City of Annandale reserves the right to remove all monuments, markers, flowers, plants, trees, decorations or other similar objects whenever they become unsafe or unsightly, or as a part of routine maintenance without incurring any liability to any party.
(F) Specific costs for lots, interments, disinterment, burial of ashes and setting markers are not included in these rules and regulations since these are set by action of the City Council. A current schedule of fees can be obtained at the City offices.
(G) The City of Annandale reserves the right to amend these rules and regulations whenever it is determined that it is in the best interest of the cemetery to do so. The City is not required to give notice of such intended action to any person.
SECTION 54.14 CEMETERY MANAGEMENT
(A) The responsibility for the management of all City Cemeteries and all matters related thereto shall be vested in the City.
(B) The Annandale Public Works Department shall be responsible for the care and maintenance of all City Cemeteries.
SECTION 54.15 HOURS
City Cemeteries will be open to visitors during the hours of sunrise to sunset. Permission to enter at all other times shall be secured from the City. The City reserves the right to refuse admission to a cemetery and to refuse the use of any cemetery facilities, at any time, to any person or persons whom the City deems to have no proper business in the cemetery.
SECTION 54.16 BUY BACK OF CEMETERY LOTS
The City will consider the purchase of unwanted cemetery lots under the following guidelines.
(A) Re-purchase price or amount paid by the City for previously sold lot(s) will be the original sale price of the lot/niche;
(B)The City may accept the return of a lot where a disinterment has occurred, however, these lots will not be re-purchased by the City.
(C) Selling price of the re-acquired/repurchased cemetery lots will be subject to the rate schedule approved by the City Council.
(D) City staff has the authority to execute the re-purchase without Council approval if all conditions are met.
SECTION 54.17 PENALTY
Violations of this Chapter 54 will be enforced with the penalty provisions of Section 10.99 of this Code.
Section 2. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective upon passage and publication.
Adopted this 8th day of June 2026.
ATTEST:
Shelly Jonas,
Mayor
Kelly Hinnenkamp,
City Administrator/Clerk
(publilshed in the annandale advocate june 17, 2026)
NOTICE OF FILING DATES FOR ELECTION TO THE SCHOOL BOARD
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 876
ANNANDALE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
STATE OF MINNESOTA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the period for filing affidavits of candidacy for the office of school board member of Independent School District No. 876 shall begin on July 14, 2026, and shall close at 5 o’clock p.m. on July 28, 2026.
The general election shall be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. At that election, three (3) members will be elected to the School Board for terms of four (4) years each.
Affidavits of Candidacy are available from the school district clerk, School District Office, 125 Cherry Ave N, Annandale, MN 55302 or online at: https://www.isd876.org/our-district/school-board/2026-school-board-election-information. The filing fee for this office is $2.00. A candidate for this office must be an eligible voter, must be at least 21 years old, district resident for at least 30 days (M.S. 204B.06, Subd. 1), not be a convicted sex offender (M.S. 205A.06, Subd. 1b), and must have no other affidavit on file for any other office at the same general election.
The Affidavits of Candidacy must be filed in the office of the school district clerk and the filing fee paid prior to 5 o’clock p.m. on July 28, 2026.
Dated: June 9, 2026
BY ORDER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
Jennifer M Mealey
School District Clerk
Independent School District No. 876
Annandale Public Schools
State of Minnesota
(publilshed in the annandale advocate june 17 and 24, 2026)
NOTICE TO CLEARWATER RIVER WATERSHED DISTRICT RESIDENTS
The Stearns County Board of Commissioners is seeking applicants for an appointment to the Clearwater River Watershed District Board of Managers. This appointment would serve a three-year term ending on August 13th, 2029. If you are interested in being appointed to this board, and you currently reside in the Clearwater River Watershed District in Stearns County, then please send a brief resume with some information about yourself that you would like to share with the County Board regarding your qualifications or interests in serving this appointment. An online application form is available on the Stearns County Website at https://stearnscountymn.gov/908.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please visit our website or contact us at (320) 656-3900. If you would like to mail in your resume, then please send it to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office, Attention: Sierra Lorbeski, at 705 Courthouse Square, Room 148, St. Cloud, MN 56303. Otherwise, you can email Randy Schreifels at Auditor.Email@stearnscountymn.gov or you can contact your County Commissioner.
Applications are due by 4:30pm on Friday, June 26th, 2026.
Randy R. Schreifels, MBA, CPA
Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer
Clerk of the County Board
(publilshed in the annandale advocate june 10 and 17, 2026)