Monuments & Headstones

Applications for memorials can be submitted to Greenfield Cemetery Administration, 650 Nassau Road, Uniondale, NY 11553.    View the Memorial Application.

Monument Guidelines

Monuments and headstones are permitted in the cemetery, subject to the following guidelines:

  • Installation or removal of a monument, headstone, or other memorial requires the written consent of the division of cemeteries.
  • Inscriptions upon monuments, headstones, or other memorials must bear the family name which appears on the deed to the lot or grave on which the monument, headstone, or other memorial is to be situated, except that the deed owner of such grave or lot may, upon his and her own election, and upon written notice to the division of cemeteries add an additional name thereon.
  • Inscriptions shall be in English letters, except that foreign inscriptions may be added, after approval is obtained, upon application containing a translation of the foreign inscription into English.
  • No monument, headstone, or other memorial shall be permitted to be installed unless any indebtedness against the lot or grave is satisfied and the lot or grave is under perpetual care.
  • Monuments, headstones, or other memorials must be constructed of monumental granite of first quality or of an approved type from recognized quarries.
  • When requested, a certification or guarantee of quality with respect to the granite must be submitted to and filed with the division of cemeteries.

Monument, Headstone, or Other Memorial Limitations

The number of monuments, headstones, or other memorials shall be limited to the number of grave sections, as follows:

  • Single-Grave Sections: Limited to one monument or marker of a size no smaller than eighteen inches or larger than thirty inches in length and height, width to be in proper proportion with length, and to be located at the head of the grave with a die of at least eight inches thick. With the exception of section 26-A of Greenfield Cemetery, flush markers will not be permitted at the head of the grave, nor will foot or corner markers be allowed, with the exception of governmental markers approved by the Director or his representation:
    • Only flush granite markers placed at the head of the grave shall be permitted in section 26-A of Greenfield Cemetery, of one size only, namely, two feet six inches by one foot two inches by four inches.
  • Two-Grave Sections: limited to one monument, the base to be not smaller than two feet six inches and no greater than four feet six inches in length with a die of at least eight inches thick; height to be in proportion, but not less than two feet, nor more than three feet. Two grave markers (one on each grave) placed level with the grade are permitted. Flush markers will not be permitted at the head of the grave.
  • Three-Grave Sections: limited to one monument, the base to be not smaller than three feet nor greater than six feet in length, with a die of at least eight inches thick, the height of the monument to be in proportion, but not less than two feet six inches, nor greater than four feet. Monument of tablet type (no base) shall not be less than two feet six inches, nor greater than five feet in length, with a die of at least eight inches thick; height to be in proportion, but not less than two feet six inches, nor more than four feet. Three grave markers (one at foot of each grave) placed level with the grade are permitted. Flush markers will not be permitted at the head of the grave.
  • Four-Grave Sections: limited to one monument, the base to be not smaller than three feet six inches nor greater than six feet six inches in length, with a die of at least eight inches thick; the height of the monument to be in proportion but not less than two feet ten inches, nor greater than four feet. Monuments of tablet type (no base) shall be not less than three feet, nor greater than five feet six inches in length, with a die of at least eight inches thick; height to be in proportion, but not less than three feet, nor more than four feet. Four grave markers (one at foot of each grave) placed level with the grade are permitted. Flush markers will not be permitted at the head of the grave.
  • Five-Grave Sections: limited to one monument, the base to be not smaller than three feet nor greater than six feet in length, with a die at least eight inches thick; the height of the monument to be in proportion, but not less than two feet six inches, nor greater than four feet. Monument of tablet type (no base) shall not be less than two feet six inches nor greater than five feet in length, with a die of at least eight inches thick; height to be in proportion, but not less than two feet six inches, nor more than four feet. Six grave markers (subject to location and approval by the Director) placed level with the grade are permitted.
  • On all individual multiple grave plots where there are no existing markers, all future markers must be placed level with the grade. Where markers presently exist on multiple grave plots, all future markers must be duplicates.

All monuments and markers must show lot and grave numbers on the lower-left corner, in three quarter inch numbers, in a frosted panel.

Foundation Specifications

Foundation specifications shall be as follows:

  • Monument foundations shall be of solid masonry eight feet in depth below grade. Headstone and grave marker foundation shall be of sold masonry six feet or eight feet in depth below grade, depending upon the depth of the first interment. The area of the foundation for monuments, headstones, or grave markers shall be a size equivalent to the area of the base of the monument, headstone, or marker.
  • Foundations are to be installed at a time of year when frost will not interfere with the setting of the masonry.

Other than engravings on the monument, nothing extra shall be added or annexed to the monument.

In single grave sections where no path exists between monuments, all monuments must be set flush back to back.

Additional Information

Regrettably, some unscrupulous businessmen take advantage of a family in their time of grief. Among those are a few monument dealers who shortly after an interment, contact the family and indicate they represent or are recommended by Greenfield Cemetery. This is not true. Let us assure you that no monument dealer is connected with Greenfield Cemetery.

If you desire to purchase a monument we suggest that you very carefully investigate the company with which you consider doing business. Greenfield Cemetery permits monuments and markers to be installed according to our specifications and the wishes of the plot owner. A monument dealer has an obligation to work with us until the application is approved and the work completed. Sometimes we encounter monument dealers who do not fulfill this obligation leaving us with future problems.

Greenfield Cemetery does not authorize or allow anyone to use our name when soliciting business for monument work. We are, like you, very disturbed by this practice whenever it occurs. Together, with your help, we are determined to stop this fraudulent sales tactic. You can help by ascertaining the name and phone number of the dealer's representative who contacts you. Please call us with this information so that we may take proper action.