Cemetery Data and Information

All burial records and deeds are in the process of being digitized. This involves researching burials for the public, verifying and locating purchased spaces, and entering data from cemetery deed books and burial permit applications into our database. This allows us to maintain permanent records and enables the public to access this information on burialsearch.com. We work closely with cemetery staff and funeral homes from surrounding counties to facilitate burial requests in our city's cemeteries.

When working with funeral homes, the process is straightforward. Upon receiving a burial request, the cemetery staff is notified of the upcoming services and location. The work order is sent via email after verifying if the deceased has a pre-owned space/lot or locating a space for a purchase. We also require the burial permit application to be notarized and filled out completely. Our policy mandates that the work order must be submitted 48 hours before the service day, and accompanied by payment. 

The cemetery data clerk also assists with purchasing cemetery lots and spaces, manages bank deposits and journal entries for the City cemetery to ensure accurate financial records, and helps with various clerical office duties, such as answering phone calls, responding to emails, and organizing paperwork. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that all cemetery-related operations run smoothly and efficiently, providing comfort and support to families during difficult times.

 Disinterment and re-interment processes involve the removal of human remains from one burial location to another. This process is necessary for various reasons, such as when a family wishes to relocate a loved one's remains. It involves obtaining the necessary permit from the health department, coordinating with the funeral home and cemetery staff, and ensuring that all legal and ethical considerations are met throughout the process. If family members decide to relocate the remains, they are responsible for covering the expenses.

Cemetery maintenance is crucial for the proper upkeep of burial sites. All flowers, arrangements, and any unlawful items are removed by the cemetery when deemed unsightly. Families are responsible for maintaining headstones and any other improvements placed at the grave site. The city is only responsible for maintaining the grass surface. Proper cemetery maintenance not only preserves the beauty of the burial site but also ensures that the area remains safe and accessible for visitors.

• Westview- 2681 Hillcrest Road Kinston, NC 28504

• Southview-373 Old Asphalt Road Kinston, NC 28504

• Maplewood-101 E. Shine Street Kinston, NC 28501

• Cedar Grove-101 E. Shine Street NC 28501

• Colonial Cemetery-107 W. Shine Street Kinston, NC 28501

• Standard
• Infant Cherub casket- children ages from 0-10 years 
• Cremation
• Veteran 

Westview Cemetery

• Single space $935
• 2 -Grave lot $1,565
• 5-Grave lot $3,125

Southview Cemetery

• Single space $625
• 2-Grave lot $1,035
• 5-Grave lot $2,075

Veteran’s Spaces are free with a DD214 showing an honorable discharge form.

The City Charges an Opening/Closing fee depending on the time of the day as well as the type of burial:  

Standard Space is $625 M-F before 4 pm, $775 M-F after 4 pm & Weekend/City Holiday $900.

Baby Spaces $325 M-F before 4 pm, $380 M-F after 4 pm & Weekend/City Holiday $525.

Cremation: $240 M-F before 4 pm, $280 M-F after 4 pm & Weekend/City Holiday$355.

Once a lot or space is sold, the city does not buy it back or resell it. The owner may sell the lot to whomever they choose. We require a copy of the bill of sale to update the ownership information in our database.

• A deceased person's body may not be buried within the city’s corporate limits except in a city-maintained by the city or other legally recognized cemetery. 
• Only human bodies may be buried in cemeteries maintained by the city.
• Mausoleums will not extend above five (5) feet in height and will be positioned to not infringe upon adjacent lots. The cemetery superintendent will determine the appropriateness of mausoleums in any city cemetery.
• It shall be unlawful to dig any grave, erect or modify any gravestone, monument, or grave marker upon, or dig up or remove any earth from any privately owned lot within any city-owned cemetery unless it is done by the owner thereof or under his direction or consent and with the express permission and supervision of the superintendent of cemeteries. It shall also be unlawful to take any such action to modify or use the undeveloped land or structures included in the city-owned cemeteries without the express permission of the superintendent of cemeteries.
• It shall be unlawful for any person to destroy, damage, or deface in any way any building, monument, fence, railing, enclosure, tree, shrub, vine, flower, or other decorative plant placed, put, or growing in any cemetery within the city limits or any cemetery outside the city limits owned and maintained by the city disturb any funeral services being conducted within the city or in a cemetery owned and maintained by the city outside
• Disposition of flowers and arrangements. All flowers and arrangements shall be removed by cemetery personnel when deemed unsightly by the superintendent unless prior permission has been granted for the removal by others.
• Families are responsible for maintaining headstones and any other improvements placed at the grave site. The city will maintain grass surface only.
• The city is not responsible for damage to personal property at grave sites.
• Vault, headstone, and footstone are not mandatory for burial.