Show All Answers

1. Where do I purchase a burial site?

The purchase of all burial sites in riverside cemetery is handled at the office located at the cemetery. Burial sites are $475 per space except for the area known as baby land where the purchase price is $75 dollars per lot. Cemetery staff are available to assist with the purchase of a burial site Monday - Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

2. What is the fee to open and close a burial site?

There are three different charges for openings and closings of a burial site, interment of a baby $200, internment of cremations $250 and all others $475. Also. there is a $500 weekend and holiday fee. All openings and closings plus weekend and holiday fees are subject to 6.5 percent sales tax. Burials on holidays are highly discouraged.

3. Where are the records of burials kept?

All records on Riverside Cemetery are maintained at the office at the cemetery.

4. How do I purchase a headstone or monument?

You can purchase headstones or monuments by contacting the funeral homes or sales person for the Pierre area. The City of Pierre does not sell headstones or monuments.

5. Why are the headstones discolored?

The water used in the cemetery for irrigation has a high concentration of manganese and iron and will stain the headstones. Therefore it is recommended not to purchase a light colored stone. All stones will stain but light colors tend to stain more and quicker. Cleaning of headstones can be done by using a toilet bowl cleaner.

6. Who conducts the burials?

All burials, including cremations, are performed by employees of the City of Pierre Cemetery Department.

7. Will a burial site settle and who will fix this?

The employees maintain the cemetery and burial sites. Burial sites will settle on their own and as they do they will be landscaped and seeded until settlement is complete and grass is established. This could take as long as a year or so depending on what time of the year the burial takes place. It is also possible for any burial site to settle regardless of the number of years.

8. Are pets allowed to be buried in the cemetery?

No pets are allowed to be buried in the cemetery. A burial site is restricted to one body, with the exception of a mother and child or cremations.

9. Can I plant a tree or large bush next to my loved one?

Only cemetery employees will plant said items. You may donate theses items and the employees will plant them in the proper location.

10. Can I plant flowers and small bushes next to my loved one?

Flowers and small bushes may be planted at the ends of the headstone but not directly in front of the headstones. All flowers known as ground cover are not allowed.

11. How long may I leave flowers at the graveside?

Twice a year on the 15th of April and 15th of October all artificial flowers, organic and plastic flowerpots are removed from all grave spaces by cemetery employees. Fresh cut flowers and flowers that were brought out at the time of burial are removed when they become wilted or unsightly.

12. Where is the cemetery located and what hours may I visit?

The cemetery is located on the east side of Pierre. Visitors traveling east should turn north on Roosevelt Avenue and proceed to the entrance on the right side of the street. The cemetery is open year round. The city prefers that you limit your visitation between the hours of sunrise and sunset.