Cemetery Information, Guidelines, Rules, and Regulations

Peninsula Township owns and maintains three non-denominational cemeteries: Ogdensburg, Bohemian, and Peninsula Township cemeteries.

OGDENSBURG CEMETERY
Ogdensburg Cemetery is located at 16550 Center Road, on the corner of Center and Ladd roads. Currently there are no lots for sale in Ogdensburg Cemetery, but the clerk maintains a waiting list should a current deedholder wish to sell a plot. 

BOHEMIAN CEMETERY
Bohemian Cemetery is located at 1640 Neahtawanta Road between Kroupa and Shipman roads. Currently there are no lots for sale in Bohemian Cemetery, but the clerk's office maintains a waiting list if a current deedholder wishes to sell a plot. 

PENINSULA TOWNSHIP CEMETERY
Peninsula Township Cemetery is located at 15318 Peninsula Drive south of Kroupa Road. This newest and largest cemetery in the township has a standard layout with lots marked at the corners with circular, in-ground, stainless steel plaques. These plaques are flush with the landscape and delineate the lot number and corner. In addition to the regular cemetery, Peninsula Township Cemetery offers a green cemetery section and a pet cemetery section. A memorial forest and columbarium have been proposed, but neither have been established to date. ​

PRICING INFORMATION
Lots (containing four plots) and/or individual plots in Peninsula Township Cemetery are available for purchase from the clerk's office. Prices are per plot and were approved by the Peninsula Township Board  on March 28, 2023. Purchasing an individual plot gives the resident/non-resident of Peninsula Township the right to bury in this plot one body or one body and one cremains or one cremains or two cremains. Plots are 6 x 12 feet except for plots in the pet section, which are 6 x 6 feet. ​

New Rates (effective 4/1/2023)
  • Individual Plot - (Resident) $750, (Non-Resident) $3,000                       
  • Plot in Green Section - (Resident) $1,000, (Non-Resident) $3,500 
  • Pet Section - (Resident) $300, (Non-Resident) $700           
Note: a resident is a registered voter or qualified to be a registered voter of Peninsula Township. A non-resident is anyone who is not a registered voter or is not qualified to be a registered voter of Peninsula Township.

RULES AND REGULATIONS
The cemeteries are open for interments year round for full body burials and from spring thaw to fall freeze for the interment of cremains. Burial rights may be purchased regardless of race, color, creed, religion, or country of origin. State of Michigan rules and regulations apply to township cemeteries. A full list of the local rules and regulations concerning the township’s cemeteries are located in the Peninsula Township Cemetery Ordinance. Of particular relevance, please:
  1. Schedule all interments with the sexton and present the necessary burial transit permits to the sexton. 
  2. Avoid conduct unbecoming a sacred place.
  3. Place waste materials in the conveniently located receptacles.
Be aware that the sexton, who sees that others comply with the rules and regulations while maintaining, protecting, and promoting the best interests of the cemeteries, is authorized to make temporary rules to meet emergencies that are not covered by these rules and regulations. Likewise, the township reserves the right to make exceptions, suspensions, or modifications to any of the rules and regulations in accordance with Michigan law.

GUIDELINES
  1. Individuals who wish to purchase lots/plots should visit the township office, where the clerk's office will aid them in making a selection and will issue a burial rights permit describing the lot/plot once complete payment has been made.
  2. Lot/plot descriptions will be in accordance with the cemetery plats that are kept on file in the township office.
  3. It is the duty of the lot/plot owner to notify the township of any change in address.
  4. Individuals must work with the sexton when considering the purchase and placement of grave markers, headstones, monuments, or benches. 
  5. Except for green burials, all markers must be placed on a cement foundation. The foundation must be flush with the ground and have a four-inch perimeter around the individual marker. In addition, all foundations require a six-inch setback from the owned lot/plot and must be approved by the sexton regarding size, design, specifications, quality, material, lettering, finish, and workmanship. The installer is financially responsible for any damage that might occur.
  6. All full-body interments require vaults except for those in the green section (see below).
  7. Unused lots/plots become the asset of the owner's estate and must be deeded to another party or resold back to the township; in either case, the burial rights permit must be transferred through the township office.
  8. If the lot/plot owner decides to sell any grave plot, he or she must sell to Peninsula Township, which will buy unused grave plots at one-half (50%) the prevailing selling price.
  9. The general care of the cemeteries is assumed by the township. The township, along with the sexton, maintains the trees and shrubberies that either have been left in place or planted by the township. Individual plantings are not allowed with the exception of spring bulbs, which may be planted at grave sites in all sections except the green section. The sexton is not responsible for maintaining existing individual plantings.
  1. When multiple lots/plots are owned, the location of interments is designated by the owner(s) or, if the owner(s) is deceased, by the individual or entity with the legal right and power to make decisions concerning the disposition of the deceased individual’s remains.
  2. The sexton requires at least 48 hours' notice prior to any interment and at least one week's notice prior to any disinterment or removal.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR GREEN BURIALS
  1. All materials for a green burial, including but not limited to clothing and mementos, must be biodegradable, with the exception of non-biodegradable medical implants.
  2. Bodies and cremains must be buried in biodegradable burial containers.
  3. Bodies that are buried in a blanket or shroud must be placed on a flat board to be lowered into the ground.
  4. No plantings are allowed in this section of the cemetery.

HONORING OUR VETERANS
Peninsula Township honors all veterans buried in our township by placing a flag on their graves each Memorial Day. 

​If you are aware of any veteran gravesite that has not received a flag or if you have additional questions about the burial options available in Peninsula Township, please contact the clerk, Becky Chown, at 231-223-7321, send an email to clerk@peninsulatownship.com, and/or call Sexton Bob Wilkinson at 231-633-2592.
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