Rules & Regulations for Oliverian Everlasting Burial Ground 

  1. All burial rights sold are subject to the rules and regulations now in force or which the White Mountain Conservation Burial (WMCB) Board of Trustees may hereafter adopt. They shall be used for no other purpose than the burial of the human dead. All burial rights must be paid for in full before a burial may occur.
  2. 'Burial rights' means the right to be buried on White Mountain Conservation Burial property. Burial rights do not entitle the purchaser to burial at a specific location on the property.
  3. Every effort will be made to honor purchasers' preference for interment areas. WMCB reserves the right to bury in locations deemed appropriate when weather and other circumstances are factors in burial feasibility and safety. 
  4. No transfer of ownership or interest in any burial right shall become valid until recorded and endorsed by the Board of Trustees or their designated representative.
  5. WMCB shall receive returned burial rights for the precise amount of purchase as stipulated by NH law.
  6. General maintenance of the burial areas shall include but not be limited to: grass cutting along walking trails, filling depressions, reseeding, removal of fallen debris, brush hogging, restoration with native plants, and any other maintenance deemed appropriate by the WMCB Board of Trustees or their designated representative.
  7. Deceased persons shall not be embalmed or topically treated with sprays or compounds.
  8. All materials used in the manufacturing or construction of caskets, burial containers, shrouds, quilts, blankets, clothing, and urns shall be 100% biodegradable and non-toxic. Materials used must be plant derived, natural, animal, or biodegradable material, including the shell, liner, handles, fasteners, and adornments of any burial container, shroud, quilt, blanket, clothing or urn. Materials used in the manufacturing, construction, and finishing of products used for burial shall not contain plastics, acrylics, metals, or similar synthetic polymeric materials. 
  9. Shrouds, quilts, and blankets used for burial without a casket shall have a natural wood backer (plywood and OSB are not acceptable) no less than 1/2″ thick and the length of the body, to stabilize the decedent during the burial process, or be carried by a shrouding board or bier. Clothing is optional.
  10. Burial ground operators will inspect containers when presented for burial. Containers not in keeping with standards will be refused for burial until corrections are made.
  11. Vaults and liners (partial, inverted, or otherwise) are prohibited.
  12. Non-leaching replacement parts, such as hips, knees, or dental work, shall be buried without disturbance of the body.
  13. No enclosure of any nature, such as fences, copings, hedges, or ditches, shall be allowed around any graves.
  14. Planting of trees and shrubs shall be prohibited.
  15. No inscriptions, statues, embellishments, effigies, artifacts, lights, wildlife feeders, wind chimes, flags, or artificial decorations of any kind will be permitted.
  16. Cut flower funeral tributes that have been removed from their containers may be buried with the deceased. All other funeral floral tributes may be taken home or they will be disposed of or recycled when spent. Fresh cut flower remembrance tributes may be placed on the grave at any time, and will be removed by WMCB personnel upon becoming unsightly.
  17. Restoration of grave cover shall be at the discretion of the burial ground. Requests will be considered in relation to the native restoration plan and available native plantings provided on site.
  18. Grave markers are permitted but not required. WMCB will provide flat markers as part of the purchase price. Only one flat memorial stone is permitted for each interment. Stones may be engraved with names and dates only.
  19. Vehicles other than light machinery used to dig the graves are not permitted. Limited use of electric golf carts or similar light transport and people or animal drawn carts is permissible.
  20. Natural burials are considered irretrievable. Next-of-kin must sign a waiver attesting to their understanding that the body will not be moved unless ordered by the State.
  21. In order to protect and maintain the integrity and intent of Oliverian Everlasting Burial Ground, the WMCB Board of Trustees reserves the right to refuse the burial of any decedent for non-compliance of the Rules and Regulations.
  22. WMCB reserves the right to reschedule or delay funerals in the event of extreme or dangerous weather.
  23. Disturbance at or of burials, funerals, memorials, or other gatherings will result in immediate expulsion. Picketing, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, reckless conduct, or any other intentional disturbances at or near funerals are punishable by nuisance laws and/or NH RSA 644.2b.
  24. Vandalism of any kind is punishable in NH by fines, restitution, and jail time ranging from Class A misdemeanors to Class B felonies.
  25. Presence in the burial ground beyond dawn to dusk open hours is considered trespassing, which may result in prosecution as a violation, misdemeanor, or felony.
  26. Walking on the property, use of recreational walking trails, and entering the Oliverian Brook is at your own risk.

safeguarding ecological integrity through natural burial