This page allows you to choose and request a plot in the GCC graveyard.  Follow the steps below to complete the process.  The cost is $1500 per plot and is payable via cash or check at this time.

STEPS to request plots:

The text of the Grace Gardens Purchase Agreement is below, or can be downloaded HERE.

The text of the Grace Gardens Burial Policy is below, or can be downloaded HERE.

If you are interested in the Memorial to the Unborn monument, please CLICK HERE

If you have any questions, you can email gracegardens@gracemaryville.org.

1. Burial plots are available for church members, their spouses, and immediate family members.

2. A committee of at least three (3) persons shall be appointed by the church and be vested with this authority. A trust may be set up for long-term care and maintenance of the graveyard.

3. A fee of $1,500.00 per single grave will be charged for each plot. The cost of the plot must be paid to the church at the time plot selection is made. Five hundred dollars from each purchased plot shall be used for maintenance, upkeep, and improvements to the graveyard.

4. Payment for plots will only be reimbursed to the original purchaser. All plots not utilized by family members or the original purchaser will be redistributed at the sole discretion of the Grace Community Church. Ownership of plots may not be transferred.

5. Grace Community Church shall be responsible for the upkeep and care of the graveyard.

6. Headstones must be installed within twelve months of any burial. All CORNER MARKERS and FOOT MARKERS when used, shall be plainly marked and not exceed one inch above the established ground level. This is to protect the markers from damage by maintenance equipment. A member of the Graveyard Committee must be present when stones and/or markers arrive to ensure proper alignment and compliance with church policy.

7. If a standing type marker is erected, it is required that a six inch border or concrete be poured around the base to facilitate lawn mowing.

8. All markers or monuments shall maintain the dignity of the graveyard and require prior approval of the Grace Community Church graveyard committee. Monuments placed in the graveyard must reflect symbolism or text consistent with orthodox Christianity.

9. With the exception of small American flags at Veterans graves, no Artificial Wreaths, Flowers, Potted Plants, Flags, Rocks and/or Bricks of any type will be allowed on ground level during the mowing season.

10. Artificial flowers may be used but will be removed if they become unsightly.

11. Planted flowers and shrubs are not permitted.

12. All flowers, vases etc. shall be removed from gravesite within one week of placement if family members want to retain the items.

13. Statues, plaques, vigil lights, glass objects, including containers, and similar types of commemorative items, are not permitted.

1. The number of vaults in a single internment site shall be limited to one.

2. No above ground crypt of vault is allowed.

3. No grave site shall be laid out or opened without the express approval of the Grace Community Church Graveyard Committee. Opening and closing of all graves shall be done through the funeral home unless otherwise approved by the church.

4. All graveside services must be performed either by an elder of Grace Community Church or an officiator preapproved by the Graveyard Committee of Grace Community Church.

Grace Community Church of Maryville, Tennessee, has established a graveyard for the benefit of church members and their families.  This graveyard shall be known as “Grace Gardens,” and shall be maintained by Grace Community Church of Maryville, Tennessee or by a successor trust (hereinafter collectively referred to as “GCC”) established for the maintenance and upkeep of Grace Gardens.  This contract establishes the relationship between GCC, and the individual or families (“Purchaser”) seeking to purchase internment rights at Grace Gardens.  

I.                         Agreement to Sell and Purchase Internment Rights

Grace Gardens agrees to sell, and Purchaser agrees to purchase, internment rights at Grace Gardens as described in this Internment Rights Purchase Agreement (hereinafter the “Agreement”).  Internment rights are defined below.

II.                      Internment Rights Defined

Internment Rights are defined as the right to inter into the ground or a structure the human dead in Grace Gardens Graveyard located in Blount County, Tennessee.  Purchaser does not own any property rights in the real or personal property located within Grace Gardens.  The phrase “burial plot” may be used interchangeably with “Internment rights,” but does not suggest Purchaser has obtained a property interest in Grace Graveyards.  All references to internment rights or burial plots shall be deemed to include the singular and plural as the context requires. 

III.                   Eligible Purchasers

Purchaser shall be a member of Grace Community Church in good standing, and is entitled to purchase plots on behalf of Purchaser, his or her spouse, parents, grandparents, children or grandchildren (non-Purchasers collectively referred to as “Assignees”).  Additionally, a spouse, family member, personal representative of an estate, or other interested party may purchase internment rights for a deceased church member in good standing at the time of their death.  If through the exercise of church discipline, Purchaser, or the person for whom Purchaser has obtained internment rights, is no longer in good standing with Grace Community Church, then Grace Gardens shall refund the purchase price in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Purchaser.  

IV.                   Number and Location of Burial Plots

 Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase __________(_____) burial plots.  The burial plots to be purchased are as follows:

 |________________   |___________________   | __________________ 
 | ________________  |___________________   | __________________ 

V.                      Purchase Price

A fee of _______________________________($___________)  will be charged for each plot.  This fee is due and payable at the execution of this contract.  

VI.                   Non-Transferability

Internment rights  are non-transferable between Purchaser and third parties.  

VII.                Maintenance and Upkeep

GCC shall be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of Grace Gardens.  One-third (33%) of the purchase price for each plot shall be set aside and designated for the maintenance, upkeep and/or improvements to Grace Gardens.  

VIII.              Graveyard Regulations

Markers, tombstones and all other memorials shall be installed in accordance with Grace Gardens’ policy.  Regulations shall include, but are not limited to: 1) size of the markers, tombstones, or other memorials; 2) personal effects left at the gravesite, including artificial flowers; 3) the planting of shrubs or flowering plants, and all such other regulations as shall be reasonable.  The regulations governing each plot shall be those in effect at the time of installation of any markers, tombstones, or memorials, not the regulations in effect at the time of the execution of this contract.  

IX.                   Refunds

Refunds for burial plots may be obtained by the original purchaser only, and demands for refunds shall be in writing to GCC.  Refund shall be for the original purchase price, and shall not include interest. 

X.                      Reversion of Internment Rights

GCC shall periodically review its records of Purchasers and Assignees to determine whether Purchasers and Assignees have died, moved away, or otherwise are no longer interested in maintaining their Internment Rights at Grace Gardens.  In these circumstances, GCC shall make reasonable efforts to refund the original purchase price to the purchaser.  Upon determining in good faith that Purchaser or Assignee no longer intends to use purchased burial plots, such plots may revert to GCC, and may be sold to a third party.  In the event that such determination was made in error, Purchaser shall be entitled to a refund of the original purchase price. Alternatively, Purchaser or Assignee shall be entitled to another burial plot within Grace Gardens.  

XI.                   Funeral Arrangements 

Permission to open graves and allow interments or disinterments must be granted through the cemetery committee before any grave is opened. A state approved vault, grave liner, or receptacle shall be required for all interments. When a grave is closed, all dirt will be tamped as the grave is refilled. GCC does not provide caskets, burial vaults, or the labor and equipment to open a plot.  

XII.                 Binding Effect 

All of the provisions of this Agreement are hereby made binding upon the personal representatives, executors, heirs, successors, and assigns of all parties hereto. 

XIII.              Severability

Should any provision of this Internment Rights Purchase Agreement be deemed unenforceable or contrary to the laws of the United States or the State of Tennessee, then such provision shall be stricken from this Consent to Counsel, and the remainder of the Consent be held enforceable.  

XIV.              Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee.  In the event of any dispute arising under this Agreement, parties agree to pursue mediation, and if necessary, legally binding arbitration  in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Institute for Christian Conciliation (complete text of the Rules is available at www.aorhope.org/rules or by contacting ICC at icc@aorhope.org). Judgement upon arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The parties understand that these methods shall be the sole remedy for any controversy or claim arising out of this agreement and expressly waive their right to file a lawsuit in any civil court against one another for such disputes, except to enforce an arbitration decision. 

I have read and understand the terms of this Agreement.  

______________________________________                                       ________________________________

Signature of Purchaser                                                                            Date

 

Grace Community Church of Maryville, Tennessee

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