The Newcastle, Rocklin, Gold Hill Cemetery District (“District”) is a Non-Enterprise Independent Special District in the State of California.  Independent Special Districts are formed under California law for the performance of local governmental functions within specific boundaries. Special districts range in size and often cross political boundary lines, such as city and/or county borders, to serve a common good. There is a clear identification of services provided, which results in a high level of accountability to the public, and a high degree of customer satisfaction. 

Non-enterprise districts provide those governmental services on a district-wide basis which cannot be economically funded solely through user fees. For this reason, non-enterprise districts rely primarily on a portion of local property tax revenues to fund their facilities and services.

Like other public cemetery districts, Newcastle, Rocklin, Gold Hill Cemetery District is regulated by local, state, and federal law, specifically, the California Health and Safety code 9000-9093, which pertains to Public Cemeteries. The District has specific boundaries within Placer County, and, accordingly, its services are primarily limited to current and qualifying former residents of the District, current and qualifying former taxpayers of the District, and/or family members of those already interred in the District. More information regarding persons that may qualify for interment in the District is below: 

• For those persons seeking interment by way of residency within the District, proof of residency or residential property ownership is required for interments and the purchasing of interment rights.  Interment rights may be purchased for members of the family only. 
• Acceptable documentation includes the following:
• Valid Driver’s License
• Most current Tax bill, Mortgage statement and/or lease on residential property. 
• Most current Utility bills – water, electric, gas, and/or cable.
• Qualifying family members living in the same residence and not listed on any items listed in section (a) will need to provide a current bill of any kind with a qualifying address.  
• P.O. Box does not qualify.  
• Non-residents are limited to those persons (1) that have acquired interment rights by prior residency or property tax payment or (2) that have members of their family, as defined in California Health & Safety Code § 9002 (f), who are buried in the District.

a)  Qualifying out of District customers must pay current out of District fees.

b)  Family Member is defined by California Health & Safety Code §9002 (f) as: any spouse, by marriage or otherwise, domestic partnership, child, or stepchild, by natural birth or adoption, parent, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, first cousin, or any person denoted by the prefix “grand” or “great,” or the spouse of any of these persons.

c) Proof of relationship is required.

Jeff Forrey - District Manager

Board Approved: 9/19/2023

§9060

1. A district shall limit interment in a cemetery owned by the district to interment in the ground, in columbarium’s, and in mausoleums, as provided in this part.
2. A district shall limit interments to:
   • Persons who are residents of the district.
   • Persons who are former residents of the district and who acquired interment rights while they were residents of the district.
   • Persons who pay property taxes on property located in the district.
   • Persons who formerly paid property taxes on property located in the district and who acquired interment rights while they paid those property taxes.
   • Eligible nonresidents of the district, as provided in this chapter.
   • Persons who are family members of any person described in this subdivision.

§9061

1. A district may inter a person who is not a resident of the district or a person who does not pay property taxes on property located in the district in a cemetery owned by the district if all of the following apply:
   • The district has an endowment care fund that requires at least the minimum payment set pursuant to Section 9065.
   • The district requires the payment of a nonresident fee set pursuant to Section 9068.  A board of trustees may adopt a written policy that permits waiving the payment of the nonresident fee for a nonresident who had purchased an interment right while a resident or a taxpayer.
   • The person meets the conditions listed in one or more of subdivisions (b) through (e).
2. A person is an eligible nonresident pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 9060 if the person is a family member of a person who is already interred in a cemetery owned by the district or is a family member of a person who has acquired interment rights in a cemetery owned by a district.
3. A person is an eligible nonresident pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 9060 if all of the following apply:
   • The person was a resident of the district or paid property taxes on property located in the district for continuous period of at least five years, a portion of which time period shall have occurred within the 10 years immediately before the person’s death.
   • The district receives a written request for the interment of the person from a person who is a resident of the district or who pays property taxes on property located within the district, and the person submitting the written request is not a trustee, officer, or employee of the district and is not a funeral director or an employee of a funeral director.
   • The board of trustees determines that the cemetery has adequate space for the foreseeable future.
4. A person is an eligible nonresident pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 9060 if all of the following apply: 
   • The person was a resident of this state at the time of death.
   • There is no private cemetery within a straight-line radius of 15 miles of the person’s residence.
   • There is no private cemetery nearer to the person’s residence than the nearest cemetery owned by the district.
   • The distances shall be measured in a straight line from the person’s residence to the nearest private cemetery and the nearest cemetery owned by the district.
5. A person is an eligible nonresident pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 9060 if all of the following apply:
   • The person died while either:
     • Serving in the Armed Forces or the active militia, or
     • In the line of duty as a peace officer or firefighter.
   • The board of trustees determines that the cemetery has adequate space for the foreseeable future.

§9002

The definitions in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 7000) of Part 1 of Division 7 apply to this part. Further, as used in this part, the following terms have the following meanings:

(f) “Family member” means any spouse, by marriage or otherwise, domestic partner, child or stepchild, by natural birth or adoption, parent, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, first cousin, or any person denoted by the prefix “grand” or “great,” or the spouse of any of these persons.

• Interment Rights (plots) may be purchased at the offices of either Newcastle or Rocklin Cemetery.  To purchase Interment Rights for Gold Hill or Ophir Cemeteries, please call the Newcastle Cemetery business office for an appointment. Fees are per current Fee Schedule. The terms of these sales are cash, check or credit card. (Credit Cards Subject to 3% convenience Fee)
• No graves shall be sold to persons residing out of the District unless cemetery qualifications are met. Sales to non-residents is limited to those persons who have members of their family who own plots, reside in, or are buried in the cemetery District. Qualifying Out of District customers must pay Out of District fees.
• It is a violation of the law to provide false information or documentation in order to purchase Interment Rights (plots) and services. If any information provided to verify residency, property ownership, or to qualify as an eligible non-resident is found to be falsified, the District can and will require payment of out of district fees. [Per California Health & Safety Code(s): 9060 (b) and 9061 (a) and (b).]
• Any unwanted plots that have been purchased cannot be sold to anyone except back to the District for the original purchase price. As stated above, Endowment Care is non-refundable.  (Per California Health and Safety Code.)
• Any transfer of plots from one member of a family to another is prohibited unless transfer is done through the cemetery office. These types of transfers apply to family only.  (Proof of relationship is required Effective 02/01/1996). There is a one year waiting period and a $50.00 transfer fee per grave. If the family member(s) to whom the transfer is made reside(s) out of the District, those person(s) will be subject to the Out of District fees – See Fee Schedule. 
• Any transfer of plots from one location to the other within the cemetery is subject to a $50.00 transfer fee per grave. Note: If the new location is a premium size grave (Newcastle Cemetery: Block 7, Section M, Section N or Rocklin Cemetery, Section H), the customer will also be charged the difference in price between the regular and premium size plot(s) and the endowment care. 
• All fees for Interment Rights (plots), services, and all other fees are subject to change when the Cemetery District Board deems it advisable.
• Endowment Care must be paid at the time of purchase of any Interment Rights (See Fee Schedule). Any person(s) who purchased graves previous to July 1, 1984, must pay the Endowment Care at the time of the use of the grave, or prior, if so desired. Endowment Care Funds are non-refundable. (Per California Health and Safety Code). Endowment care is a onetime fee paid to the cemetery district for the maintenance of the grounds   (landscaping, mowing, weed eating, watering and other upkeep and repair of grounds, equipment, etc.) It does not include cleaning, maintenance, repair or replacement of monuments, markers, niche plates and/or flower vases. This is the customers’ responsibility.
• Interment Rights, Rights of Succession – Per the California Health and Safety Code, there are specific Regulations regarding succession of Burial Rights. These Regulations are available upon request at the Cemetery Office.  
• Plots may be put on hold (reserved) for 90 days only. Due to the high demand of select locations, a maximum of 4 graves only may be placed on hold. After 90 days, plots on hold will be put back on sale to the general public.  The cemetery will not call or send reminders. It is the customer’s responsibility to remember to complete their purchase within the 90-day period.
• The District stipulates that it will not be held responsible for graves unusable due to underground obstructions (rocks, trees, roots, prior unmarked burials, etc.) In such cases, the District will exchange the unusable graves for others in another area of the cemetery where available. Note: These cases are infrequent and usually apply to graves in the older portions of the cemetery, but may occur anywhere. (09/1996)
• Oversize monuments and markers- Any oversize monument or marker set on a grave or graves may require temporary removal in order to prepare the grave for an interment (dig the grave). In order to ensure that these monuments or markers are not damaged, the family or its legal representative is responsible for making arrangements for the removal and re-setting of the monument or marker with a local monument company. This is done at the families’ expense. No interment date and time can be confirmed until the arrangements for the removal of the monument or marker has been made. (12/2010)

• Interments are limited to owners, heirs and their family only. (As defined above.)   Interment fees are determined by the residency of the deceased (prior to a care facility) at the time of death. (Proof of current address may be required, if needed.)
• No burials on Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays. 
• All opening closing of graves and niches shall be done by cemetery personnel only. Family members may not assist in the covering (closure) of any graves.
• Cancellations and re-scheduling for any graves already dug will incur the current in district rate for opening/closing. No Exceptions. (01/2011)
• Burials scheduled for Tuesday through Friday must be arranged and confirmed through the cemetery office by noon the preceding day. Any burials scheduled for Monday must be arranged and confirmed through the cemetery office by noon the preceding Friday. Funeral homes must add additional day(s) lead time for holidays.
• The Newcastle, Rocklin, Gold Hill Cemetery District attempts to provide appropriate and safe conditions at our cemeteries. 
• Newcastle Cemetery does not offer tent or chairs at the graveside. Customers who want chairs or a sheltered area may use our Pavilion during business hours at no charge. Our Pavilion has the following amenities: seats for 70 persons, podium, guest book stand and flower stand(s). NO FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED IN THE PAVILION.
• Rocklin Cemetery provides complementary chairs if weather or grave location(s) permit. Tent set up for a fee if weather conditions or grave location(s) permit. The District reserves the right to refuse or cancel tent and chair set-up orders if weather conditions or grave locations could possibly endanger the public. Any last-minute cancellations on the part of the cemetery will initiate a prompt refund of charges for the set-up in question. 
• Due to insurance considerations, no customer’s tents or awnings may be erected on cemetery grounds. The Newcastle, Rocklin, Gold Hill Cemetery District assumes no responsibility or liability for those customers and/or funeral directors that bring and/or allow tent or chairs at the graveside services.
• Double depth burials in double depth plots are allowed at the Newcastle Cemetery, in “Section N” ONLY. When interring casket and cremains in a double depth burial plot, the first interment must always be placed on the lower level of the vault.
• Interments with services held elsewhere must arrive at cemetery to commence burial no later than 3:00 pm. Any graveside services must conclude by 3:00 pm to allow cemetery personnel sufficient time to complete the burial before closing time (4:00 pm.)
• A) Newcastle, Rocklin & Gold Hill Cemeteries require a polypropylene or fiberglass vault for every casket interment, except Newcastle Cemetery “Section N” (See B below). A casket/vault combo is acceptable for infant interments only. Other type vaults are not acceptable. (10/2006)

Newcastle Cemetery “Section N” is the only area where pre-burial vaults are installed. (11/2009)

1. Effective March 1, 2019, all new plot purchases come with one (1) interment right with the exception of some areas in Section N. Additional interment rights must be purchased. Maximum Interment Rights is determined by the area in which the plot is located. 
   • Most Blocks and Sections at Newcastle, Rocklin & Gold Hill Cemetery, with the exception of Section N may accommodate one (1) casket and up to six (6) urns. There are some plots that may accommodate the six (6) urns only. 
   • Section N is an area that is pre-vaulted. Some areas within N are single vaulted and others our double vaulted.  Each vault may accommodate one (1) casket or up to four (4) urns. No urns can be placed in a vault already occupied by a casket interment. Also see item 3B below.
   • All areas at Newcastle, Rocklin, Gold Hill and Ophir Cemeteries except “Section N”, Newcastle Cemetery allow a limit of three (3) markers per grave. (See Marker and Monument Regulations for size and specifications.)
2. Newcastle Cemetery “Section N” allows only one (1) marker per grave. No Exceptions
   • All Blocks and Sections at Newcastle, Rocklin, Gold Hill and Ophir Cemeteries except  “Section N”, Newcastle Cemetery allow urns to be inurned directly into the ground. The cemetery does require an urn vault for the in-ground inurnment of cremated remains. Customers can purchase a vault from a funeral home or the cemetery. Please inform the cemetery if you will be purchasing an urn vault and provide the dimensions prior to the service date.
   • Newcastle Cemetery “Section N” all urns are placed inside the cement vault. No Exceptions.
     • Benches may be installed in the Cemetery at the Superintendent’s discretion and approval. Only he will determine if a bench will be permitted in any area. All bench installations, if approved, are to be done by an approved monument company. See Bench Regulations for size and material specifications.  
     • Minors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult while on cemetery premises.
     • Because of normal settling, new grave sites may require occasional re-leveling during the first year or more. Grass coverage may also be a problem until the soil has stabilized and the grass takes root again.  Until then, the grave site may appear somewhat less than ideal. The cemetery makes every effort to remedy the appearance and asks for your understanding during these temporary periods.
     • Although dogs are allowed in the cemeteries, they must always be leashed. Placer County and the city of Rocklin strictly enforce leash laws. Dog owners are required to clean up after their pets. (Revised 09/17)

Revised 3/1/2019

The Newcastle, Rocklin, Gold Hill Cemetery District has set forth the following regulations to safeguard family members and guests at graveside.

1. The witnessing of the lowering of a casket or urn must be arranged at the time burial arrangements are made at the cemetery office.
2. Newcastle Cemetery does not allow tent or chairs at the graveside for safety reasons. Use of the pavilion is free of charge for those families having interments at our cemetery.
   • Rocklin Cemetery provides chairs at the graveside weather and location(s) permitting. Tent set up may be purchased providing the weather and location(s) allow.
3. Due to the instability of the ground around the open grave, no dirt, flowers or mementos will be allowed unless with the assistance of NRG staff. All witnesses must remain at a safe distance from the opening.
4. Prior to the lowering of the casket, all witnesses will need to move at least 15 feet back from the grave. Once the casket is lowered and the device is removed no one other than cemetery personnel are allowed near the open grave.
5. Children must be supervised and kept away from the open grave at all times.
6. Only cemetery personnel will be allowed to participate in the lowering and burial process.
7. With the exception of wheelchairs and other equipment for the handicapped, no motorized or non-motorized vehicles, wagons, carts, sports equipment or toys, etc. are allowed in the pavilion, on walkways or on the grassy areas of the cemetery. These vehicles are restricted to the street areas and parking lot only.
8. Any animals on cemetery grounds must be leashed. Animals are restricted to walkways, curbside grass areas and streets. Handlers must clean up after their animals if necessary.

These Graveside Service Regulations were passed by the Board of Trustees on 03/20/2007 for the safety of all visitors to the cemetery. Graveside regulations are subject to revision and change at any time. (06/2014).

Revised 6/1/2022

The following regulations were created to keep guests and staff safe while we work diligently to maintain a beautiful park like setting.  Please help us keep our park safe and beautiful by following the Floral Regulations below. 

 This policy includes Upright Monuments, Flat Memorials and Niches.  

1. For safety purposes, Glass, Rocks, Fire Ignitable Items, Balloons on a string, Statues, Trinkets, or any other type of Commemorative Items are NOT ALLOWED at any time. 
2. Fresh Cut Flowers, Artificial Flowers, Plastic or Wooden Pinwheels and American Flags are ALLOWED year-round in an approved cemetery vase only.  Private plantings of any kind will not be permitted and will be removed.
3. Flower vases must be approved by the cemetery office.  Please remove any stagnant water and              turn the vase upside down when not in use. This will maximize its longevity and discourages mosquitoes using the dirty water to propagate.
4. Holiday Decorations and potted plants will be permitted in approved cemetery vases or on the marker 10 days before and two 2 days after for the following Holiday’s; Valentines Day, St. Patricks Day, Easter, Mothers Day, Memorial Day, Fathers Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. Due to the three major holidays in December, Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, decorations may remain on the graves during this month.
5. All flowers and decorations will be removed four times a year.  (Visit www.nrgcemetery.com for the current Floral Removal Schedule or visit our office during office hours)
6. Floral items and other types of decorations are not to be secured to headstones or markers.
7. Do not place anything of value (sentimental or otherwise) on grave(s).  The Cemetery District will not be held responsible for any items that turn up damaged or missing. This includes flower can vases and inserts.
8. The Cemetery retains the right to remove and not replace already existing trees, shrubs and other plantings that through growth encroach on lot owner’s property, becomes unsightly, diseased, damaged by accident or weather or have become a hazard to the general public.
9. Decorations of any kind are not allowed in our trees, shrubs and other plantings. This is to prevent damage and stunting of growth.
10. Funeral Flowers from a recent service will be allowed to remain on the grave 5 days after burial.

Please contact the Cemetery District Manager if you have any questions.

ORIGINAL FLORAL REGULATIONS WENT INTO EFFECT IN APRIL OF 1992. FLORAL REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO REVISION AND CHANGE AT ANY TIME.

You can get our latest Marker and Monument Regulations here.

THESE MONUMENT AND MARKER REGULATIONS WERE PASSED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON 03/01/2019. MARKER AND MONUMENT REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO REVISION AND/OR CHANGE AT ANY TIME.

Revised 3/1/2019

1. Floral arrangements may be left in approved vases only in the niche area.  area. However, they are subject to the same Floral Rules and Regulations as the rest of the Cemetery. Absolutely no glass, china, ceramic or objects of a similar nature will be allowed. Items left on the top of the niche unit will be removed.
2. No chair and/or tent set-ups are available for services in the niche area. Alternate areas within the Cemetery can be offered for services.

1. Single and double niche plates can accommodate two (2) lines of engraving for the name plus one line each for birth date and death date.
2. Verbiage on niche plates is limited to name(s), birth date(s) and death date(s) only and are subject to size limitations. Items attached or taped to the niche front are not permitted and will be removed.
3. Double niches planned for two occupants will be engraved on either the top or lower portion of the plate with the additional engraving done after the second inurnment takes place.
4. Double niches planned for only one occupant are engraved centering the name and dates on the plate.
5. The Cemetery will arrange for the niche plate engraving at the current market rate and will install the plate on the niche.
6. After initial installation, the niche plate becomes the property of the purchaser. The Cemetery District is in no way responsible for the niche plates after they are installed. Repairs must be done at the owners’ expense.
7. Interior measurement of the Niches in the Newcstle Garden of Roses is 11 1/2" square. Urns must be no larger than 5 3/4" x 11 1/4" x 11 1/4" to allow for two urns to be inurned.
8. Interior measurement of the Newcstle Section G and Rocklin Section H double niches is 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" x 9 3/4". Urns must be no larger 4 3/4" x 9 1/2" x 9 3/4" to allow for two urns to be inurned. 
9. Interior measurment of the Newcastle Sectino G single niches is 5 3/4" x 5 3/4" x 7" deep.

THESE NICHE RULES AND REGULATIONS WERE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON 12/19/1995, AND ARE SUBJECT TO REVISION AND/OR CHANGE AT ANY TIME.