BOARD MEMBERS:

President
Roger Henley
501-912-7155
1951henleys@gmail.com

Vice-President
Jerry Dillehay
501-912-8601

Treasurer
Regina Brockinton
501-425-2283
regbrock@aol.com

Secretary/Interim
Barbie Henley
501-912-7154

Membership Director
Paula Hall
501-514-5668
paulavhall64@gmail.com

Plot Director
Bud Martin
501-590-0767

Web Director
Lisa Denton
501-804-1495
lbsimp221@hotmail.com
(if I do not respond to your email
through the contact form please feel free to call or text me)

Correspondence Director
Barbie Henley
501-912-7154

​

Member
Marcella Dillehay

Member
Lois Olsen

Member 
​Scott Henley

Updated Bylaws 3/14/2017    Updated Bylaws  5/16/2018  Updated Bylaws 5/4/2019 Updated Bylaws 09/06/2022

Index

Article I:  Management
Article II:  General Care and Maintenance
Article III:  Burial Site/Lot Requirements
Article IV:  Urns, Vases and Artificial Decorations
Article V:  Trees and Shrubbery
Article VI:  Memorials and Foundations
Article VII:  Intended and Acceptable Uses
Article VIII:  Prohibited Uses of Cemetery Grounds
Article IX:  Board of Directors
Article X:  Donations

Article I:  Management
A.  The President of the Harmony Cemetery Board shall act as supervisor of the Cemetery and shall act
      as supervisor of the Cemetery and shall direct the care and maintenance of the Cemetery.
B.  The enforcement of these by-laws shall be the responsibility of the Harmony Cemetery Board.
C.  There will be circumstances these bylaws will not cover.  In that event, the President of the Harmony     
      Cemetery Board will use his/her discretion to take appropriate action, in the absence of the
      Cemetery Board.

Article II:  General Care and Maintenance
A.  Plots are granted and/or reserved with the promise that the Cemetery Board shall make every effort to
      ensure the grounds are sufficiently maintained to provide a clean, neat appearance.

Article III:  Burial Site/Lot Requirements
A.  Burial sites are for human remains only.
B.  All burials shall be in a non-deteriorating container.  (With the exceptions of cremains)
C.  Each burial site will be 48" (inches) wide by 120" (inches) long allowing 24" (inches) for headstone 
      placement.  The plot opening will 36" (inches) by 96" (inches).  Each burial site is for individual
      use except for cremains burial (noted in Article III, Section E).
D.  All burial site preparation must be accomplished by a professional grave digger who has been
      approved  by the Harmony Cemetery Board (except for cremains burial noted in Article III, 
      Section E).
E.  No More than two (2) cremains can be buried in one (1) burial plot.  One (1) cremains can be buried
     with one (1) earthly burial.
     a.  Headstones for cremains must be within the boundaries of the plot.
     b.  All cremains are required to be buried 2 feet below the ground surface.  If cremains are too large for 
          an individual to bury, the grave digger must be contacted for scheduling and fees.  The Board must
          be notified prior to any burials. (updated 9/12/23)
     c.  Cremains can be buried by family members if the cremains container is buried at least two (2)
          feet below the surface.  If the container is too large or the family is unable to bury the cremains
          two (2) feet below the surface, the family must use a professional grave digger who has been
          approved by the Harmony Cemetery Board for burial.
 F.  A board member must be present for any burial.
G.  The President of the Cemetery Board or his (her) designee shall be allowed to move monuments to    
      prepared a gravesite for internment or to repair other monuments without being held liable for
      damages.
H.  Effective September 6, 2022 (9/06/2022), burial plot fees have been established by the Harmony 
      Cemetery Board as follows:
     a.  A reservation fee of $300 is required for individuals wishing to reserve a burial plot.  (Fee is for
          one plot to be used for one (1) earthly burial, one (1) earthly burial followed by one (1) cremains
          burial, or burial of two (2) cremains.
     b.  Individuals who do not have a burial plot reserved at the time of internment will be require to 
          purchase a burial plot for $500.
          1.  The Harmony Cemetery Board has the authority to waive all or part of these requirements
                under due cause and at their discretion.
     c.  Fees are collected through the funeral home by adding fees to the funeral bill or a Board Member
          receiving fees from a family member prior to the grave opening.
     d.  Annual Donations are required to maintain plot reservations.  Lack of annual donations will    
          results in forfeiture of plot reservations as of June 11, 2017 (06/11/2017).
I.  No burial space shall be opened or closed, except under the direction and control of the President of the
      Cemetery Board, or his (her) designee.  This provision shall not apply to proceedings for the
      removal and re-interment of bodies and remains, when under the supervision of the local health
      department.
J.  All burial certificates must have cemetery name, plot number and site number.

Article IV:  Urns, Vases and Artificial Decorations
A.  All urns, vases, pots, baskets, and boxes are to be placed at the head of the gravesite and in line with
      with the headstone.
B.  The plot holder is responsible for the care of plants, urns, vases, pots, ect.  Dead plants should
      be removed as they detract from the appearance of the Cemetery.  A disposal site is located near
      the service road east of the gazebo for member's use.
C.  Any decoration that detracts from the neat and orderly appearance of the Cemetery may be removed by
      a member of the Harmony Cemetery Board.
D.  In case of burial, the same exception shall be made for cut flowers, potted plants, artificial wreaths and
      sprays.
E.  Decorations that do not accord with these By-Laws or have become unsightly, interfere with the rights of
      the other plot owners, make care of the cemetery difficult and expensive, or detract from the
      landscaping plan of the cemetery may be removed by directive of the Harmony Cemetery Board.
F.  No Landscaping shall be done on a gravesite without prior Board Approval.
G.  Effective September 13, 2016 (09/13/2016), all benches existing in the cemetery will be grandfathered
      in, but due to the continued increase in maintenance costs, no additional benched will be permitted
      at gravesites in the cemetery.

Article V:  Trees and Shrubbery
A.  No planting of trees or shrubbery on Cemetery plots is permitted.

Article VI:  Memorials and Foundations
A.  Memorials shall be placed at the head of the gravesite facing the East.  This regulation does not
      apply to memorials now in place but represents an ideal to be attained.
B.  All memorials shall be of durable materials and dignified design.
C.  Installations of foundations and setting of headstones are to be done or under the direction of the
      President of the Harmony Cemetery Board or his (her) designee.
D.  All markers shall be placed within the boundaries of the plot.
E.  When the ground is uneven, the foundation shall be leveled to the highest point and the ground
      shall be graded to the foundation.  Where the ground is too sloping to permit this, the ground
      shall be partly graded and wash shall be sloped sufficiently to give an attractive appearance and
      to permit easy mowing.

Article VII:  Intended and Acceptable Uses
A.  Along with being the final resting place for generations, the Cemetery grounds are intended to be
      used by the living as a place of respectful meditation.  Traditional uses include the depositing of
      flowers, flags, and related items at gravesites and quiet visitation of family members and friends
      of the deceased.  All uses related to the burial ceremony and gravesite visits, within, traditionally
      accepted guidelines, are permitted 365 days a year.

Article VIII:  Prohibited Uses of Cemetery Grounds
A.  Vehicles are prohibited in any area, except the designated Cemetery drives.  Vehicles may only
      enter the Cemetery grounds for the purpose of conveying people for burials, gravesite visitation
      or maintenance purposes.
B.  Littering, defacing or destruction of property is never allowed.
C.  The Harmony Cemetery Board is not responsible for destruction or vandalism.
D.  Harmony Cemetery does not permit canopies/tents to be used on cemetery grounds.  Graveside
     Services can be held in the Gazebo.

Article IX:  Board of Directors

A.  Board Members are not compensated for time or services.
B.  The Board of Directors shall consist of a minimum of seven (7) members as determined by a vote
      of the Membership.  The term of their leadership will be to serve for one year and are eligible for
      re-election at the Annual Membership Meeting.  Board Members shall be chosen by a simple
      majority vote (51%) of the members present at an Annual Membership Meeting.
C.  The Harmony Cemetery Board shall elect officers if not elected by the Membership.
D.  Harmony Cemetery Board members may be removed by a simple majority (51%) of the
      Membership present at an annual meeting or a special meeting called for that purpose.
E.  In the event of the death or resignation of a Board Member, a successor may be elected by a
      simple majority vote (51%) of the Cemetery Board members present at a special meeting, for
      that purpose.
F.  Any Board Member who is absent for three (3) consecutive Board meetings without verification
     of extenuating circumstances will cease to be a member from the Harmony Cemetery Board
     immediately following the third (3rd) absence.  A vote by Board Membership will be required.  The
     member will be notified by a certified, return receipt letter by the President of Harmony Cemetery.
G.  The Harmony Cemetery Board has the duty to generally oversee the operation and management
      of the Cemetery and its financial affairs.
H.  A quorum of 51% of Harmony Cemetery Board Members must be present to conduct business.
I.  A simple majority is required to ament Cemetery By-Laws, if a quorum is present.
J.  Board Members and duties of the officers are as follows.  Duties of a specific director may be assigned 
     to other officer(s) as needed.
          a.  PRESIDENT
                * Sets the time and place of all meetings.
                * Calls the meeting to order.
                * Follow guidelines set forth in "Roberts Rule of Orders"
                *Responsible for making the agenda for any board meetings, except for special meetings.
                  -The only business transacted at a special meeting shall be the specific purpose for which
                    was called.
                *The President shall be entitled to vote at all meetings of the Harmony Cemetery Board and
                  all membership meetings.
                * In the event of the absence of the President at any board meeting, the Vice-President shall
                  perform such duties as set forth above.
                * In the absence of the President and Vice-President, the Secretary, if present, or another
                   member calls the meeting to order, and president pro tem is elected to serve during the
                   session. Minutes must be taken for the meeting.
 
          b.  VICE-PRESIDENT
                 * Assists the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Directors in performing their duties as
                   members of the Harmony Cemetery Board.

          c.  SECRETARY 
                 * The Secretary shall record the minutes of the meetings of the Harmony Cemetery Board
                    and submit to each Board Member in a timely manner.
                 * All minutes must be approved or disapproved in a timely manner by each Board Member.
                 * The Secretary shall record minutes of the Annual Membership Meeting and submit the
                    the same to each Board Member and to the members at the next Annual Membership
                    meeting.

          d.  TREASURER 
                * The Treasurer shall keep and oversee the financial records of Harmony Cemetery.
                * The Treasurer shall report to the Harmony Cemetery Board the financial status of the
                   Cemetery.
                * The Treasurer shall perform other such financial duties as directed by the Harmony 
                   Cemetery Board.
                * All invoices must be directed to the Treasurer for processing.  All expenditures must be
                  signed by the President, Vice-President and/or Treasurer.  Two (2) signatures are required
                  for all checks.

          e.  MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
               * The Membership Director is responsible for maintaining a current Membership list.

          f.  PLOT RESERVATION DIRECTOR
              * The Plot Reservation Director is responsible for maintaining records of plot reservations and
                and burial sites available for purchase at Harmony Cemetery.
              * The Plot Reservation Director will assist family members in locating reserved gravesites and
                 assist members regarding availability of burial sites.
              * The Plot Reservation Director should notify the Vice-President of any additions/deletions/or
                 changes to the plot book to ensure consistent information for both books.
              * The Plot Reservation Director is responsible for ensuring plots are marked in a timely manner
                 to ensure gravesites are prepared prior to burial services.

          g.  WEB ACCESS DIRECTOR
               * The Web Access Director will set-up and maintain the website for Harmony Cemetery at
                  Harmonycemeteryfc.com
               * The Web Access Director will monitor and maintain the website for electronic donations.
                  (the option to electronically donate is in process of being established)

           h.  CORRESPONDENCE DIRECTOR
                *The Correspondence Director is responsible for correspondence to all known members
                  advising of the date/time/place of the Annual Membership Meeting and any other notifications
                  deemed necessary by the Harmony Cemetery Board.
                * Notify Board Members of meeting date/time/location in a timely manner.
                * Coordinate with the President and Board Members to create the agenda for Board meetings.
                * Utilizes the list provided by the Membership Director to send "Final Notice" postcards to 
                   members who have not made annual donations.
                * Coordinates with Board Members for information to include the "Homecoming" notification
                   letter/postcard.  Ensures the "Homecoming" notification is completed and mailed by mid-May
                   to ensure member's receive the notification at least three (3) weeks prior to "Homecoming"
                  which is the second weekend in June.
                   
          i.  ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBERS
               *All Board Members will perform duties as required to ensure all responsibilities of the Harmony
                Cemetery Board are being met.

Article X:  Donations/Homecoming
          A.  Donations can be made to Harmony Cemetery at any time.  Names of the members to which the
               donation applies should be included to ensure the donation is recorded properly.  Donations and 
               all other correspondence should be mailed to:

             Harmony Cemetery
             PO Box 6586
             Sherwood, AR  72124 
                                                
           B.  "Homecoming" will be held the second Sunday in June of each year.  Traditionally, a potluck
                meal will be held following services at Harmony Baptist Church.  Harmony Baptist Church
               graciously allows use of their facilities for this annual event.  Details regarding "Homecoming"
               and the annual membership meeting will mailed to each known member in May of each year.

          C.  The Board of Directors of Harmony Cemetery will be available on site the Saturday before
                "Homecoming" and Sunday, "Homecoming Day" to receive donations.
          D. The GPS location for Harmony Cemetery is:
                        
               Harmony Cemetery
               865 Highway 89 South
​               Sherwood, AR  72124
                                                  
                                                  



Harmony Cemetery Bylaws - updated 09/06/2022
Please access the following link to view: Download