Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
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There are several different factors to consider when choosing a cemetery, such as visual appeal, space availability, and location. Personal preference is also a consideration with respect to the type of memorials permitted within a cemetery, such as an upright monument or mausoleum. Some cemeteries may prohibit the placement of flowers and other remembrances. Religious preference should also be considered to ensure that the cemetery meets your religion’s requirements.
Please contact Cumberland Cemetery to make burial arrangements as soon as possible after the death of a loved one. If you are in need of a funeral director, The Oliver H. Bair Funeral Home would be happy to assist you.
The Cumberland Cemetery office is currently undergoing renovations; however, we are available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You are also welcome visit us at our main office at 8500 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082.
When a cemetery plot or grave is purchased, the cemetery retains ownership of the land. The purchase allows the owner the right to be buried on cemetery property. This burial right is owned in perpetuity, and can be handed down in a family or willed to another family member or friend.
Anyone can be buried in a plot as long as the original deed owner (or heir of the deed owner) signs an affidavit allowing a person to be buried in the plot.
You have the right to sell your plot; however, the sale must be made through the cemetery office. There is also a fee to transfer the deed. Please contact us for more information.
Pre-Planning
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Planning ahead allows you to compare available options and decide upon those that best fit your needs and desires. By choosing to pre-plan, you are able to ensure that your specific wishes are carried out after your death. In addition, your carefully selected arrangements will provide you with the assurance of knowing that your loved ones have been relieved of the burden of planning and paying for your funeral or memorial after your death.
Please contact our office for additional information.
Memorials
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Please contact our offices for guidelines on monument installation.
Yes. Please contact Margie Devenny, our monument customer service representative, at (610) 566-3105. Margie has been working in monument design for more than 15 years. She would be happy to walk you through the memorialization process.
Generally, monument installation depends on the condition of the ground surrounding the grave. Please call our offices for more information at (610) 566-3105.
No artificial decorations are permitted on the graves. If holiday decorations are placed on a grave, they will be disposed of at an appropriate time after the holiday passes. If you have a question about grave decorations, please call the office.
Cremation
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We offer several different cremation packages to suit our families’ needs. Please contact The Oliver H. Bair Funeral Home at (610) 449-8585 or visit us at www.philadelphiafuneralcare.com for more information. Graves are also available for the burial of cremains.
The practice of cremation is generally accepted by most religions. However, if you are uncertain about whether cremation is acceptable within your religious community, please contact our office for help determining the answer to your question.
Several options are available for a loved one’s cremated remains. The ashes may be placed in an urn or other container and kept in your possession; ashes may be scattered where permitted by law; or the ashes may be placed in a mausoleum or buried in a cemetery. Cumberland Cemetery offers affordable family cremation plots for those who prefer to be interred after the cremation process.
About Cumberland Cemetery
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Cumberland Cemetery, a non-denominational cemetery, is a historic landmark in Middletown Township, Delaware County. The beautiful park-like setting of Cumberland Cemetery is quickly and easily accessible from several major highways, and is located within easy traveling distance of Philadelphia.
The Cumberland Cemetery is owned and operated by The Oliver H. Bair Funeral Home, which has been owned by the Monaghan Family since 2007. The Monaghan Family is dedicated to providing compassionate and affordable funeral, cremation, and cemetery services to families in the Greater Philadelphia region. Since the cemetery is owned by a funeral home, we are able to offer our families discounted funeral, cremation, burial and monument packages.
Yes. Cumberland Cemetery is approximately 25% occupied leaving nearly 24 acres of ground available for burials. Much of Cumberland’s land is undeveloped making it seem much smaller than it actually is.
Our pricing reflects the various burial options available. Please contact our office at (610) 566-3105 and we would be glad to send you a price list.
Cumberland Cemetery’s grounds are maintained by our full-time maintenance crew.
We welcome you to visit the grounds of Cumberland Cemetery anytime during the day. For safety reasons, visiting the cemetery at night is forbidden. Due to construction on the Cumberland office, our main offices are located at 8500 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082 until further notice.
Cumberland became established as a cemetery in 1885; however, the first burial was recorded in 1854.
Information about the decedents buried at Cumberland Cemetery can be accessed through the “Burial Records” link on our website. Records are updated regularly, so please check back for more information. If you are having trouble, please call our office at (610) 566-3105 and we would be happy to assist you.
Please call our office at (610) 566-3105 or e-mail us at info@cumberlandcemetery.com to request a walking tour map.