Union Cemetery is a religious cemetery located at 316 Darlington Ave. in Ramsey, NJ. The cemetery is owned and managed by the First Presbyterian Church in Ramsey. As a religious cemetery, the cemetery is restricted under New Jersey state law and is not open to the general public. Only members of a Christian church and their immediate relatives may be interred at the cemetery.
Jurisdiction
Union Cemetery is a religious cemetery and is therefore not under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Cemetery Board. However, The Session and Cemetery Committee of First Presbyterian Church seek to uphold the standards which govern the care and maintenance of cemeteries in the state of New Jersey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The questions and answers have been adapted from the FAQ on the NJ Cemetery Board website.
What is the cost of a grave?
Grave purchase cost = $1,500 Grave opening cost = $1,900
Cremains grave cost = $750 Cremains opening cost = $850
Must I purchase a burial vault?
New Jersey law does not require that you buy a burial vault or outer container to surround the casket in the grave. However, Union Cemetery does require vaults to help prevent the ground from sinking under the weight of the heavy equipment used to dig graves and set headstones. The vault is there to protect the casket and the remains.
Can my pet be buried with me?
No. By statute codified as N.J.S.A. 45:27-2, “cemetery” means any land or place used or dedicated for use for burial of human remains or disposition of cremated human remains. Union Cemetery, by definition, may not accept pets.
How can I find out if someone is buried at Union Cemetery?
The First Presbyterian Church in Ramsey maintains an electronic database of burials at Union Cemetery. Please visit www.burialsearch.com and search for Union Cemetery Ramsey, NJ. Unfortunately, some historical records have not survived, and headstones are no longer legible. You may also contact the N.J. Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration.
May I hire an outside contractor to care for my parents’ graves or take care of the graves myself?
Yes. By statute codified as N.J.S.A.45:27-31, you or an outside contractor may maintain the graves provided that the maintenance is subject to the supervision of the management of Union Cemetery. This ensures compliance with the rules and regulations of Union Cemetery. You may be charged a reasonable fee for such supervision.
Can I sell back to the cemetery graves that I purchased years ago?
Cemeteries in New Jersey are under no obligation to purchase back graves. If Union Cemetery does purchase them back, it only pays the original price and does not pay the current going price of similar graves.