Mt. Moriah Cemetery

Events:

• 14th Annual Lantern Lighting Ceremony Flyer (PDF)

The Rules and Regulations adopted by the Board became effective October 9, 2001 and replace, and supersede all previous rules and regulations adopted by the Board.

Download the Rules and Regulations (PDF).

1. The Cemetery is open to the public from dawn to dusk every day.
2. Agents appointed by the Board, consistent with the Ohio Revised Code, shall enforce all cemetery rules and regulations.
3. Upon the death of the recorded owner, the control of the unused or under-designated grave/s shall go to the legally designated beneficiary/s. If none is so designated, the ownership shall follow the requirements of the Ohio Revised Code.
4. Children under the age of sixteen must be under adult supervision while in the cemetery.
5. Loitering is not permitted.
6. The speed limit within the cemetery is 10 miles per hour.
7. Visitors shall observe good order while in the cemetery. Loud talking, loud music, excessive vehicle noise, or any other type of disruptive behavior is not permitted.
8. Vehicles must remain on paved services at all times.
9. Entrance to the cemetery shall be through the gates.
10. Animals and pets are not permitted in the cemetery, unless used to assist the disabled.
11. Township employees or agents of the township shall perform all labor. This includes, but is not limited to, placing of monuments and markers, construction of concrete foundations, excavating and backfilling graves, trimming trees and shrubs and mowing grass. Any item placed in the cemetery that is inconsistent with these rules and regulations, or that has not been approved by the Board, shall be removed without notice.
12. No person shall remove any flowers, trees, shrubs, or bushes without permission from the Board, or cemetery sexton.
13. All grave markers shall be granite, approved marble, or bronze. The size of the foundation and marker shall be consistent with the regulations of the cemetery. The Board must approve any exceptions.
14. The recorded owner/s of the grave/s is permitted to place flowers or decorations, consistent with these regulations, within a 2- foot area immediately adjacent to the corner and in front of each headstone. Decorative wreaths are also permitted.
15. The recorded owner/s of the grave/s shall be the controller in respect to the placement, care, and maintenance of flowers and/or decorations on the grave(s).
16. Trees, bushes, shrubs, vines, decorative stone, and landscape timbers are not permitted. Glass items such (delete the comma here) as vases, jars, etc. are not permitted, as they present a danger to our employees. Christmas decorations must be removed by March 1. Memorial Day and special holiday decorations may remain for two weeks after the holiday. After March 1, or two weeks after any holiday (other than Christmas), cemetery personnel will discard, without notice, all remaining decorations. Artificial flowers are permitted year-round.
17.  Any flower or decoration deemed unsightly will be removed and discarded. Any object/s that is determined by the cemetery sexton to be obstructing the general maintenance of the cemetery shall be removed after notification (written or oral), if possible, to the recorded owner/s.
18. In the event that a Union Township employee or agent damages a grave marker or monument, Union Township will repair the damage. However, Union Township will not be responsible for any article placed at a gravesite, or within the cemetery, that is not a grave marker or monument established or associated with the gravesite.
19. Union Township shall endeavor to keep the cemetery grounds secure to every extent practical but the Board, any employee, or any other agent of the township shall not be responsible for any items that are stolen or vandalized, other than property owned by Union Township.
20. Items of food left on a grave(s) shall not be permitted.
21. Fishing and swimming are not permitted in the pond.
22. Decorations are not permitted in the cremation scattering area.
23. Decorations are not permitted in the columbarium area.
24. Any violations of these rules and regulations are subject to a penalty consistent with the Ohio Revised Code

We accept both Cash and Checks made payable to Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

Download the fee schedule (PDF).

Lots

• Single Gravesite: Township Resident (up to four per household at this price) - $700
• Single Gravesite: Township Resident (five or more per household) - $1,400
• Single Gravesite: Non-Township Resident - $1,700

Funerals

(No Funerals on Sundays, Holidays or Holiday Weekends, or after 3 pm any day)

• Weekdays until 2 pm - $625
• Weekdays 2 pm until 3 pm - $775
• Saturday until 11 am - $975
• Saturday 11 am until 3 pm - $1,075
• Cremation in Standard Container
  • Weekdays until 2 pm - $425
  • Weekdays after 2 pm - $525
  • Saturday until 11 am - $575
  • Saturday after 11 am - $675
• Cremation in Standard Container with vault
  • Weekdays until 2 pm - $525
  •  Weekdays after 2 pm - $625
  •  Saturday until 11 am - $675
  •  Saturday after 11 am - $775
  • Cremation Scattering Garden - $600

Columbarium Niche

• Single Cremated Remains in one niche - $1,200
• Two Cremated Remains in one niche - $2,000
• Saturday Opening and Closing until 11 am - additional $275
• Saturday Opening and Closing after 11 am - additional $475

Infant Section

• Resident: Up to 2 feet - $200
• Resident: Up to 4 feet - $300
• Non-Resident: Up to 2 feet - $400
• Non-Resident: Up to 4 feet - $500
• Infant section openings
  • Weekday until 2 pm - $350
  • Weekdays 2 pm until 3 pm - $450
  • Saturday until 11 am - $450
  • Saturday 11 am until 3 pm - $550
  • Saturday (Ashes) - $250

Disinterment

• Vault - $2,000
• Urn - $500

Foundations

• $0.75 per square inch
• Charge for removing existing foundation - $200
• Charge for installing vase - $200
• Charge for setting marker - $200

Foundations are laid without charge for veterans whose marker has been provided by the Federal Government.

The Clarence E Combs, Mt. Moriah Cemetery is owned and operated by the Union Township Board of Trustees, Clermont County, Ohio. It is situated on land purchased in 1800 by Withamsville founder, Maurice P. Witham. Mt. Moriah Cemetery began as a graveyard on the Witham farm and eventually surrounded the Methodist Protestant Church of Tobasco, later known as Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church. The "Old Section" of the cemetery is located behind the white chapel built in 1842. In front of the chapel "The Black Line" ran on the original Ohio Pike. Presently Mt. Moriah Cemetery includes over fifty acres of rolling hills. The entrance to the cemetery is enhanced with an ornate iron fence, originally installed in 1880. Mt. Moriah Cemetery is graced with large shade and evergreen trees, sparkling pond, lovely gazebos, chapel, cremation scattering garden, niche columbarium and restful meditation areas.

Interred at Mt. Moriah Cemetery are some prominent pioneers and citizens dating back to the early 1800s. The Honorable, Dr. William Doan (lived 1792 to 1847) was an eminent physician. He was also a Representative and Senator in the Ohio Legislature, and a member of Congress from 1839 to 1843. Politician, Charles Cyrus Kearns (lived 1869 to 1931) was a Republican and U.S. Representative from Ohio 6th District (1915 to 1931). Dr. Elisha Bennett (lived 1809 to 1881) was one of the oldest practitioners of this county. In 1851 he was elected a Representative from Clermont County to the 50th General Assembly of Ohio by the Democratic Party. Also interred at Mt. Moriah Cemetery is the Witham family, along with the Stocktons. Sarah Stockton's grave (lived 1745 to 1813) is the oldest known marked grave in the cemetery.

The Clarence E Combs, Mt. Moriah Cemetery has been carefully maintained to ensure the beauty and serenity for future generations.

Clarence E Combs

"Clarence E Combs" was added to the title of the cemetery in 1998. Clarence E Combs (lived 1916 to 1999) was a dedicated employee, then Sexton of the cemetery for approximately 50 years. He is interred at Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

A momentous occasion for Mt. Moriah Cemetery was accreditation by the American Public Works Association on July 29, 2011. As a division of the Service Department, the cemetery performed a self-assessment of fourteen practices. Some of these practices were interment, disinterment, lot numbering, section renovation, security, and foundation installation. Policies and practices were reviewed that govern the cemetery. The APWA accreditation team awarded Mt. Moriah Cemetery full compliance for all fourteen of their practices. Subsequently, Mt. Moriah Cemetery was awarded Re-Accreditation on July 7, 2015 and on July 1, 2019.

Located beyond the ornate black and white cast iron fence of Mt. Moriah Cemetery is the Mt. Moriah Cemetery chapel, which was originally built in the 1970s. The red brick chapel is surrounded by tall evergreen trees and beautiful red "knockout roses". Annual flowers of pink petunias, red geraniums and yellow marigolds grace the front landscape areas. The flagpole continually waves the American and Ohio State flags. Adjacent to the flagpole is a veterans' memorial which reads, "1941 to 1945 In Memory of these men who gave their lives for freedom in World War II, Alvin Earl Beard, James C. Butts, William A. Rolke, Loren Hoderlein, Merle Pattison, Albert Wienner." The interior of the chapel has been renovated to create a serene and reflective environment. The walls are painted pale blue and bordered at the top with white trim. New blue carpet has been installed to complement the pale blue walls. A special addition to the chapel has been the installation of eight pews. The dark wood of the pews is enhanced with new dark blue upholstery. The sanctuary contains a podium for services. Tall silk trees in silver containers and framed photographs of the cemetery complete the meditative environment. Families are welcome to use the chapel at any time during the year for funeral services. It is non-denominational and free of charge. The chapel is especially convenient when there is undesirable weather, and families would like to gather inside. It accommodates approximately 35 people. The chapel is a wonderful addition to Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

Located in Mt. Moriah Cemetery are three beautiful gazebos for families to enjoy. Surrounded by red, "knockout" roses, and enhanced with hanging flower baskets during the summer, the gazebos are perfect places where people can relax and meditate. A large, spacious gazebo is located on the east side of the cemetery by the pond, while two beautiful white gazebos are located on the west and north sides of the cemetery. Families are welcome to use the gazebos for funeral services at no charge. For further information contact the cemetery office at 513-752-1773.

The Mt. Moriah Cemetery Cremation Scattering Garden offers families another alternative for memorializing cremation. The Cremation Scattering Garden is located on the east side of the cemetery, adjacent to the pond. The garden can be reached by following the winding walkway through the graceful gazebo. The walkway continues around the perimeter of the garden. The Cremation Scattering Garden is enhanced with beautiful, red rose bushes interlaced with green perennials. Over 850 spring daffodils and tulips are planted throughout the garden.

The Open Book, a gray granite memorial, is etched at the top "In Loving Memory Of." Individual bronze name bars with birth and death years are placed on the memorial. The Mt. Moriah Cemetery Cremation Scattering Garden will be carefully maintained to ensure the beauty and serenity for future generations.

The price of $500 includes the scattering with name and date plaque. For further information concerning the Mt. Moriah Cemetery Cremation Scattering Garden, please call the cemetery office at 513-752-1773

The Mt. Moriah Cemetery Niche Columbarium offers families another alternative for memorializing cremation. The Niche Columbarium is located on the east side of the cemetery, adjacent to the Cremation Scattering Garden. The Niche Columbarium can be reached by following the winding walkway through the gazebo.

The Niche Columbarium is constructed of grey granite with black granite doors. The niche will hold one urn. The black granite door will be engraved with the name, dates and endearment of the person inurned. A niche may be purchased at the time of need or pre-need. The Mt. Moriah Cemetery Niche Columbarium will be carefully maintained to ensure the beauty and serenity for future generations.

The cost for one niche for one cremated remains is $1,000, and the cost for one niche for two cremated remains is $1,750. This cost includes the engraving of the door, and inurnment unless it is on a Saturday. There is an additional cost of $200 until 11 am, and $400 from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday. For further information concerning the Mt. Moriah Cemetery Niche Columbarium, please call the cemetery office at 513-752-1773.

A truly unique park, Heritage Memorial Grove, is located on the south perimeter of the cemetery bordering Mt. Moriah Drive. The land for the park includes a previously owed tract of land by the township, and a generous donation of land by Mr. Stanley E Wilfert. The total area for the park is approximately 2.27 acres. The area is carved partially from a grove of oak and maple trees, with the majority of the grounds left in its natural state. The main entrance is located on the west side of the park, off of an access roadway leading from Mt. Moriah Drive into the cemetery. Off of this roadway, parking spaces are available for those visiting the park. The large main entrance of the park leads to an "Outdoor Wedding Cathedral", which includes a circular area that provides for elevated seating and a majestic, granite altar. This cathedral is incorporated into the natural setting which is spectacular for outdoor weddings. Winding through the woods are lighted concrete trails which are handicap accessible. The trails lead past stately monuments. Granite benches are placed throughout the woods for visitors to rest and reflect. In addition, there are restrooms and drinking fountains which are also handicap accessible. Park visitors can seek solitude to meditate and remember their loved ones, family and friends, or simply enjoy the rustic, tree-lined environment. The park is available for use by the community for services, weddings and funerals. For additional information please call the cemetery office at 513-752-1773.