Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
The Fair View Group, Roanoke, Virginia

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Where is the office for Fair View Cemetery and Cedar Lawn Memorial Park?

The office for both cemeteries is located in the center of Fair View Cemetery at 3300 Melrose Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24017. The phone number is (540) 344-4263.

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What are your office hours?

Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Saturday by appointment.

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What are the cemetery hours?

Our cemeteries are open 365 days a year for public visitation, unless snow or ice prevents opening for safety reasons.

The hours for both Fair View Cemetery and Cedar Lawn Memorial Park vary by season as follows:

May 1st – August 31st:
8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
September 1st – April 30th:
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

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How should I proceed if there has been a death in my family?

If you would like your family member to be buried in one of our cemeteries, or if you believe a person in your family has available space here, it would be best to call our office before meeting with the funeral home, so you will have complete information to give the funeral home when making the arrangements.

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Can I pre-plan my own arrangements?

All burial products and services may be prearranged and prepaid. When products or services are fully prepaid, the current payment is guaranteed to cover future use at no additional cost.

Prearrangement and prepayment ensure that your personal wishes are known and followed by your survivors and that all costs are covered and guaranteed.

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Are there advantages to making burial arrangements before need?

Yes. In addition to having a better selection of spaces, easy monthly payment plans are available, with no interest charges, and there is almost always a pre-need discount on spaces in selected areas of both cemeteries.

When purchasing at time of need there are generally no discounts available, and payment is required at time of need.

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How can I get information regarding making pre-arrangements?

Just call our office and speak with our Customer Service Coordinator, who will be happy to have someone provide you with complete information regarding selection and payment plans.

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What is perpetual care?

As required by Law, with the purchase of any grave space, a contribution is made to the Perpetual Care Fund. These funds are invested and managed by a Trustee. The interest income from it is used to provide the continuing care, maintenance, administration and embellishment of the cemetery. Specifically, it means that the grass shall be mowed at reasonable intervals, as well as trimming around markers, shrubs, etc. so that the cemetery will be maintained in a reasonable condition.

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What is a vault and is it required?

A vault is an outer burial container, usually made of concrete, steel or polypropylene in which the casket or cremation urn is placed at the time of burial. The vault is not required by the Commonwealth of Virginia, but it is a cemetery requirement.

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Who provides the memorials?

We are able to match or supply any granite or bronze memorial that one might choose and that is permitted to be placed in a particular area of the cemetery. Please contact our Customer Service Coordinator.

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What kinds of memorials can be used?

We have sections that granite or bronze may be used, but also have sections that only bronze memorials on granite bases may be used.

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What is the flower policy?

Click for the Flower Placement and Decoration of Graves guidelines.

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What should I do if I need repair work done on a grave?

Contact our Customer Service Coordinator so that a work order may be issued to correct the situation.

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Who can be buried in the cemetery?

Any person who has purchased and paid for a burial space, or who is a descendent of a lot owner that has unused spaces remaining.

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Are the cemeteries full yet?

No, in fact, we are prepared to serve generations, which means there may be space available near your family or friends. If you have not yet selected your Burial Estate, please contact our Customer Service Coordinator to obtain complete information.

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What are the cemetery rules and regulations?

The use of any lot, all interment services, and the type of and installation of memorials must comply with the established rules and regulations of the cemeteries. A copy of the rules and regulations is available for inspection at our office, located in Fair View Cemetery.

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What kind of burials are handled by the cemeteries? What about cremations?

We offer traditional in-ground burials including double depth where possible.

Cremated remains can be buried on any lot. We do provide vaults for cremation but are not required.

We have developed a Cremation Garden at Cedar Lawn with both columbarium and niche options. Click here to learn more about these options.

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Who are some of the notable people/families buried here?

Click here for a printable PDF of the Walking Tour with a list of these individuals and families.

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How can I locate my family members?

Use our Genealogy Search to locate family members in Fair View Cemetery and Cedar Lawn Memorial Park.

Contact our Customer Service Coordinator and you will be provided with a map indicating the location.

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What kind of information can the cemetery provide about my family?

Generally, in addition to the location, we will be able to provide death date and age at death as well as the name of the funeral home that handled the burial. In some cases, we will also have the birth date and a copy of the obituary that appeared in a local paper.

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Can I make a donation to the Cemetery in memory of my family member?

Yes, through the Fair View Foundation or the Cedar Lawn Foundation.

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What are the Foundations?

The Fair View and Cedar Lawn Foundations have been established to receive tax-deductible memorials, gifts and contributions of any form, whether it is for a specific capital improvement or for the general care of the cemetery grounds. When making memorial gifts, please list the name of the person in whose memory the gift is given.

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How can I donate to the Foundations?

Contact our office or forward your gift to the address listed. Please make checks payable to The Fair View Foundation or The Cedar Lawn Foundation and mail to:

P. O. Box 6231
Roanoke, VA 24017

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How old are the cemeteries?

Fair View Cemetery opened in 1890. Cedar Lawn Memorial Park opened in 1930.

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How large are the cemeteries?

Fair View Cemetery is 73 acres. Cedar Lawn Memorial Park is 26 acres.

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If you have additional questions, please contact our office.