New Burial Policy

Although Bankhead Cemetery has operated for many years without formal policies and procedures, the time has come to put them in place. We recognize that change can be difficult, but these changes are necessary to preserve the cemetery and ensure fairness, consistency, and respect for all families.

The following is the new Burial Policy:

Purpose

To provide for the Christian burial of human bodies at the Bankhead Cemetery, Mentone, Alabama, in an aesthetic and dignified manner, to perpetually maintain the cemetery and chapel provided at that place for that purpose and to engage in only such business as may be necessarily incident to such purpose, provided that no part of the net earnings therefrom shall inure to the benefit of any private individual.  

To arrange for and maintain an annual memorial service at the Bankhead Cemetery, Mentone, Alabama.

To establish and maintain a perpetual nonprofit savings fund to provide funds for the perpetual maintenance and care of the Bankhead Cemetery, Mentone, Alabama.

To provide for the burial of paupers in the Mentone community, subject to regulations set forth in the Bylaws.

To exercise such other general powers set forth in the provisions of Alabama law governing nonprofit corporations.

Scope

To provide for the Christian burial of human bodies at the Bankhead Cemetery, Mentone, Alabama, in an aesthetic and dignified manner, to perpetually maintain the cemetery and chapel provided at that place and for that purpose.

Section 1:  Definitions

Board of Directors (BOD) – The governing board consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasure, and three (3) Trustees to conduct the business and affairs of the Association.

Trustee’s - Individuals initially appointed by the BOD to ensure the maintenance and operation of cemetery is maintained in good material condition.   Trustees serve until such time as their successors are duly qualified and appointed.

Certificate of Reserved Space – Documentation which identifies/verifies a specific burial plot to a person/individual. 

Section 2:  Requirements

Eligibility       

Any person age 18 years or older, either residing within a fifteen-mile radius of the cemetery, or who reside elsewhere and having a relative buried in the cemetery is eligible for burial within the cemetery.

Reservations

Individuals who meet the eligibility requirements shall make application/request to the designated board member/trustee for reserving burial plot within the cemetery utilizing Attachment 1 – “Bankhead Cemetery Burial Plot Reservation Form.  Individual/person reserving a specific burial plot shall be knowledgeable of the family name and location within the cemetery.  If a plot(s) cannot be provided for in location requested, the BOD shall make recommendation and assignment for reservation of plot(s) in alternate location.

Pre-need reservations are encouraged.  Donations for maintenance and upkeep will be accepted at this time.

Plot assignments are made based on availability and layout. 

The cemetery reserves the right to limit the number of plots at four (4) per family.

All cemetery plots or burial spaces previously obtained and/or reserved are “grandfathered” and shall not be required to comply with this policy.    

The cemetery trustees shall be contacted by attending funeral home or immediate family member notifying and/or applying for a reserved space to the Cemetery Association of the need to open a grave within the cemetery.

Duties of Trustees

The trustees are authorized by BOD to ensure the maintenance and operation of cemetery is maintained in good material condition.  A quarterly report shall be submitted to BOD indicating burials, requests for burial plots, and any “required” maintenance items within the cemetery.  This report is for “information only” and does not require a meeting of the full BOD for approval.  All maintenance and repairs of cemetery and Chapel building shall be approved by BOD. 

The designated trustee(s) shall maintain a registry of all burials which shall include as a minimum:  

• Full name of person buried.

• Date of burial.

• Vault type/Material.

• Location of grave on plat which was previously approved by Bankhead Cemetery through the application process.

• Attending funeral home.

• Grave digger name or company approved by BOD bid selection process.

Section 3: Interments

All state and local health laws shall be complied with prior to any interment in the cemetery.

All interments shall be inside of containers (casket) of pine wood construction or equal.  These containers (casket) shall be placed underground at a suggested minimum depth of 3.5 feet to 4 feet deep, except where rock is encountered.  Exceptions to minimum depth requirements shall be provided for cremation boxes.

Vault construction shall be of fiberglass, steel, or concrete.

Section 4:  Monuments/Burial Sites/Benches

Prior to installation for all monuments, the funeral home and/or monument company shall notify designated trustee for identification of correct location.

All monuments shall be of solid material base such as natural stone, marble, or granite. 

 All monuments or memorials of four (4) feet in height or less shall have a concrete foundation, a minimum of 4 inches thick.

All monuments or memorials greater than four (4) feet in height and less than six (6) feet in height shall have a concrete foundation a minimum of six (6) inches thick. 

All monuments and memorials exceeding six (6) feet shall be approved by the trustee.  The BOD reserves the right to consult engineering services for foundation design.

• Note: concrete foundations are intended to be foundational base material for the monument which includes the natural stone, granite or marble base and the vertical portion of monument.

All bronze monuments shall be placed on a granite base.

All foot markers and corner markers shall be installed such that the top of marker is level with surrounding ground.

Upon Burial Policy Implementation on its effective date of May 25, 2025:

• Existing grave plot enhancements are “grandfathered” and do not require removal.

• Benches are not permitted.

• New improvements such as walls, fences, walks, fixtures or enclosures of grave sites shall not be permitted.  Additionally, the BOD shall have the right to remove, alter or change these old improvements or alternations at the expense of the lot or grave space owner.

• No gravels, rocks stones, bricks, wire, wire stands, glass, ceramics figurines or other materials deemed hazardous to personnel and equipment performing grave maintenance shall be allowed on grave sites.

Section 5: Floral Arrangements/Trees/Shrubs

Trees, rose bushes, shrubs, and small plants shall not be permitted.

The Trustees shall have the authority to remove all floral designs, flowers, weeds trees, shrubs, plants of any kind from the cemetery when in the judgement of trustees, they have become unsightly, dangerous, detrimental or diseased. 

 All flowers shall be removed from the cemetery beginning on April 1 of each year in preparation for mowing to begin.  Additionally, the Trustees will begin removal any flowers, etc. on May 1 of each year that are determined to be outside of the appropriate area/grave site.  e.g. flower arrangements lying on ground and not specific to a grave site.

New Burials:  All flowers shall be removed after thirty (30) days except for monument vases and saddle arrangements placed on monument stone.

Section 6:  Responsibility for Damage

The BOD disclaims all responsibility for loss or damage from causes beyond its reasonable control, damage caused by the elements, an act of God, common enemies, thieves, vandals, malicious mischief makers, explosions, unavoidable accidents of any kind, whether the damage is direct or collateral.

Section 7:  Attachments

Attachment 1 – Bankhead Cemetery Burial Plot Reservation Form

Section 8:  Documentation

Documents created by implementation of this procedure shall be recorded in electronic format and provided to BOD President to be maintained in Bankhead Cemetery Electronic Files.

Section 9:  Amendments

This policy may be updated as needed by the cemetery Board of Directors.  All changes will be communicated to the public and posted at the cemetery bulletin board, FaceBook, and the cemetery Blog online.

Synergy

 Synergy in therapy refers to the collaborative dynamic between the therapist and client that fosters growth and healing beyond what either party could achieve alone. Here are some examples:

1. Goal-setting: Therapist and client work together to identify and prioritize goals, combining the therapist's expertise with the client's insights and motivations. 2. Exploring perspectives: The therapist's objective viewpoint and the client's personal experience merge to gain a deeper understanding of the client's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. 3. Skill-building: The therapist teaches coping skills and strategies, while the client applies and adapts them to their unique situation, leading to increased self-efficacy. 4. Emotional support: The therapist provides a safe and empathetic environment, and the client feels comfortable sharing their emotions, leading to increased trust and vulnerability. 5. Creative problem-solving: Therapist and client collaborate to identify and challenge negative thought patterns, behaviors, or relationships, leading to innovative solutions. Some specific therapeutic approaches that emphasize synergy include: 1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Therapist and client work together to identify and challenge distorted thought patterns. 2. Motivational interviewing: The therapist helps the client explore and resolve ambivalence, promoting intrinsic motivation for change. 3. Humanistic therapy: The therapist emphasizes empathy and genuineness, empowering the client to take an active role in their growth and self-actualization. These examples illustrate how synergy in therapy can lead to more effective and meaningful outcomes for clients.

Decoration Day 2025

Decoration Day is always the fourth Sunday in May.  Sometimes that is on Memorial Day weekend, and some years it is not.

This year that works out to be May 25, 2025.

Everyone is welcome to clean graves and place new flowers anytime leading up to Decoration Day.

Please make plans to attend the Memorial Service at 10:30 AM, and the Business Meeting at 11:30 AM.

Membership in the Bankhead Cemetery Association is open to all interested persons over eighteen years of age who reside within a radius of fifteen miles from the Bankhead Cemetery or who reside elsewhere but have relatives buried in the cemetery.  Become a member and you will be eligible to vote and hold office in the association.  Sign up to be a member at Decoration Day.  See Secretary Fred Johnson.

Bring your family, and bring lunch.

Garbage Dumpster

 A garbage dumpster will be at the Cemetery from May 16 to May 26 for disposal of old flowers and decorations.

Verify Your Reserved Burial Plot

 If you or a family member think that you have reserved burial plots at Bankhead Cemetery, please verify that with Trustee Hershell Pruitt (256) 516-2193. We need to make certain that you are listed on the plot plan. If you are not on the plot plan drawing, you do not have a reserved plot.

Appreciation

 Bankhead Cemetery Volunteer Appreciation

We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Mr. Sam Whatley for his many faithful years of service maintaining the grounds at Bankhead Cemetery. His dedication to cutting the grass, weed eating, and keeping the cemetery clean and beautiful has made a lasting impact on our community and the families who visit.

We are also incredibly thankful for the many volunteers who have quietly and consistently given their time and energy to help preserve the dignity and peacefulness of the cemetery. Your service may often go unseen, but it is never unappreciated.

Because of your hard work, Bankhead Cemetery continues to be a place of honor, remembrance, and respect for all who rest there.

Thank you, Mr. Whatley, and thank you to every volunteer who has helped care for this sacred ground. Your generosity and commitment reflect the very best of our community spirit.

— The Bankhead Cemetery Board of Directors

Donations

 Contributions can be made at any time to assist with the upkeep of the Cemetery. Make your check payable to, and mail to: Bankhead Cemetery, P.O. Box 193, Mentone, AL 35984.