Cemetery Records & Information

Cemetery Documentation

The Permits and License Manager in Community Development acts as the repository for cemetery documentation records such as:

  • Burial records
  • Purchase documentation
  • Perpetual flower sales
  • Lot transfer facilitation

A compilation of all burials in both Oakwood and Burnside Cemeteries is maintained using Cartegraph software.

The Permits and License Manager receives cemetery lot sales and perpetual flower information from the Cemetery Director and drafts the appropriate cemetery lot agreements and perpetual flower certificates.

Buying a Lot and Burials

The City of Red Wing has cemetery lots and columbarium niches available for the public to purchase. 

To purchase a lot, to coordinate a burial (grave or columbarium niche opening), or for information on pending burials, contact the Cemetery Superintendent at 651.385.3648.

Please visit the Cemetery Operations page for more information on daily cemetery operations.

Maintaining Cemeteries

To maintain the cemeteries as memorials and as serene and beautiful final resting places for lives that once were, the city of Red Wing has established a Perpetual Care Fund. This is funded through the purchase price of lots and assures that grave sites will be maintained for perpetuity.

Perpetual Flower Fund

The City also offers an optional Perpetual Flower Fund. A one-time fee is paid on or before the 31st day of December of a given year for the planting and flowers to begin the following year. After one year, the accumulated interest from that payment is used to purchase and plant flowers annually.

The stand and urn you supply will be planted by the City. If the stand or urn is damaged due to vandalism, the City will replace it with a standard urn. In order to purchase perpetual flowers, please provide the lot, block and section of the grave space. 

If that is unavailable, the name of a person buried on the lot and their approximate year of death will suffice.

Ornamentation Guidelines

Since the general landscaping of the grounds of the cemeteries compliment the natural beauty of the surroundings, ornamentation guidelines have been developed to further enhance the beauty of the cemeteries.

Ornamentation includes natural flowers and plants in good condition and suitable planters. Some items are strictly limited to statues, figurines, and religious symbols; these items are items made from things such as:

  • Ceramics
  • Cement
  • Clay
  • Terracotta 

Special Ornamentation

Special ornamentation is permitted on specific dates and special occasions for a period of 24 hours. Artificial ornamentation or artificial flowers are not permitted. All must also meet the size specifications determined by city staff. American and commemorative Armed Service Flags are permitted between Memorial Day and September 15.