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1. Can I sell unused grave spaces in my lot back to the City?

No, the City does not purchase grave spaces or lots back from individuals.

2. How can I sell my unused spaces?

Individuals wishing to sell their lots or spaces within their lots may do so using whatever means necessary, such as word of mouth and classified ads. Once an arrangement has been made between the seller and the purchaser, the seller must notify the cemetery office of the sale and provide the office with the name, address (street, city, county, state, and zip code), and telephone number of the purchaser and the effective date of the sale.

A notarized letter or the Deed Transfer Form must be provided before a new deed will be prepared for the new owner.

3. Are mausoleums allowed?

Yes. Individual mausoleums are allowed with prior approval from the City Manager. Please use the application to submit a request.

View Application for Approval of mausoleum

4. I understand that I must get permission before I plant any shrubs on my grave spaces and/or lots. How do I get permission?

To request permission to plant shrubs, please contact the Cemetery Sexton at (405) 282-2773.

5. Why can’t I plant trees on my grave lots or spaces?

There are a number of reasons why this is not permitted, most of which have to do with the tree roots. First, the roots spread out to great distances and infringe on surrounding lots.

Second, the roots also cause significant damage to the graves. Roots can actually grow into, around, and under vaults, causing the vaults to shift or rise.

Third, when an interment is made, roots may be severed which may kill the tree.

Finally, when trees reach a certain size they can totally obstruct not only the grave on which they were originally planted, but also the ones around it.

6. My mother was the owner of a lot, and she is deceased. Can I use the remaining grave spaces on the lot?

Only the owner of the lot and spaces can determine who can use them. If the owner of the lot is deceased, ownership must be determined before the lot can be used.

This is done in the following manner:

1. Determine if the owner transferred ownership of any unused grave spaces prior to his or her death. Then the person to whom the deed had been transferred must approve any use of the remaining spaces.
   


2. If this is not the case, the owner’s will should state that ownership of the lot is to be transferred to a specific individual, who must then approve any use of the remaining spaces.
   


3. If the deed has not been transferred and a will is not available or does not state specifically to whom the deed should be transferred, presentation of the original deed may be used to show that the owner had passed the deed on to the individual whom they wished to have ownership of the lots.
   


4. If none of the previous options are available, the final option is to have a letter prepared which states who is to have ownership of the lot or spaces. This letter must be signed by all surviving heirs of the owner, and the signatures must be notarized. The person stated as owner in this letter must then approve any use of the spaces.
   


5. Remember that a cemetery lot is the same as any other piece of property and does need to be transferred as part of an estate.

7. How much is a grave space?

Please contact the Cemetery Clerk’s office at (405) 282-0492 for costs.

For more information, please view the Fee Schedule

8. Whom do I contact if I have any questions or suggestions for improving the cemetery?

The first place to start is with the cemetery office. You can call (405) 282-2773 or visit the office at:
1808 N. Pine St.
Guthrie, OK 73044

9. I am doing genealogy research about my family from the Guthrie area. Whom can I contact for information?

All known burials in the Summit View Cemetery are recorded in the Summit View Cemetery Burial Records.

This file contains (when known) the name, age, birth date, death date, and names of mother, father, and spouse, places of birth and death, and funeral home for each individual burial. Not all information is available for all burials, but every effort has been made to ensure that this file is as complete and accurate as possible.

More information can also be obtained from the following sources:

• The Oklahoma Territorial Museum: (405) 282-1889


• Logan County Court House: (405) 282-0266