South Mound Cemetery

South Mound Cemetery

505 Bundy Ave, 
New Castle, IN 47362

 ​Phone: ​(765) 521-6850

  FAX: ​(765) 521-8429

 Open - Weather permitting

Matt Bray

Cemetery Superintendent

Email

Christy Ayers

Cemetery Clerk

 ​Email

Brief History - South Mound

Established in 1859 by the New Castle Cemetery Association with just five acres, South Mound Cemetery has grown alongside our community for over a century and a half. Today, the cemetery is owned and operated by the City of New Castle, spanning 115 acres across two parcels along State Road 3.

Defined by rolling hills, winding paths, and majestic mature trees, South Mound offers a peaceful and dignified setting for reflection and remembrance. The City of New Castle remains committed to maintaining these sacred grounds with exceptional perpetual care, ensuring a lasting source of pride for residents and visitors alike.

Regulations

To preserve the beauty, dignity, and safety of South Mound Cemetery for all visitors and grounds staff, the New Castle City Council enacts and updates cemetery regulations by city ordinance.

Monuments & Foundations

  • Post-Interment Waiting Period: A six (6) month waiting period is required after interment before setting a stone or pouring a foundation. (Exception: Applies to standard burials; infant and cremains interments are exempt).
  • Pre-Need Monuments: Pre-need headstones may be set at any time but must be coordinated and approved through the Cemetery Superintendent.
  • Height Restrictions: Monuments placed in Section 12 (Free Ground) have a maximum height limit of 18 inches.
  • Foundation Approvals: All foundation orders—including location and dimensions—must be pre-approved by the Superintendent. A foundation location fee applies.

Grave Decorations & Clean-Up Schedule

  • Year-Round Decorations: Monument saddles and items placed directly on top of headstones are permitted year-round.
  • Winter & Off-Season Ground Decorations: Ground flowers, wreaths, and holiday items are permitted after the mowing season ends on November 30.
  • ○
    Grave Blankets & Winter Decor: Must be removed by March 1.
  • ○
    Spring Clean-Up: All remaining ground decorations will be removed and discarded during annual Spring Clean-Up on April 1.
  • Memorial Day Observances: Ground decorations placed for Memorial Day must be removed within seven (7) days following the holiday.

Please Note: The City of New Castle and South Mound Cemetery are not responsible for any stolen, lost, damaged, or misplaced items or decorations.

History - West Lawn

Established in the early 1980s as an expansion to South Mound Cemetery, the West Lawn Addition encompasses 46 acres of land. Development of new burial sites within West Lawn continues today, ensuring that the City of New Castle can provide peaceful, well-maintained resting places for generations to come.

Regulations

To preserve the beauty, dignity, and safety of the grounds for all visitors and staff, the New Castle City Council enacts and updates cemetery regulations by city ordinance.

Monuments & Foundations

Unmarked Graves & Temporary Markers

Seasonal & Special Holiday Decorations

Ground decorations are permitted surrounding specific holidays according to the following schedule:

  • Allowed Schedule: Flowers and decorations may be placed on the ground starting two (2) days prior to the holiday.
  • Removal Deadlines:
  • ○
    Memorial Day: All ground items must be removed within seven (7) days following the holiday.
  • ○
    Easter, Mother’s Day, & Father’s Day: All ground items must be removed within two (2) days following the holiday.
  • Shepherd’s Hooks:
  • 1 per grave is permitted strictly during the holiday decoration periods listed above.
  • Must be under 54 inches tall and substantially constructed.
  • Decorative additions (ribbons, balloons, etc.) on the hooks are prohibited.
  • Unclaimed hooks left after the removal deadline will be stored by cemetery personnel for 30 days before being discarded.

General Decoration Rules & Restrictions

  • Mowing Season (April 1 – November 30): No items may be placed on the ground surrounding the foundation, except during designated special holidays.
  • ○
    Permitted Year-Round/Mowing Season: Monument saddles, memory lights, vases attached to the monument/foundation, and small statues permanently affixed to the concrete foundation base.
  • Winter Decor (November 30 – March 1): Grave blankets are permitted. All securing hooks or spikes must be firmly attached to the blanket to prevent safety hazards for grounds staff.
  • Size & Placement Restrictions: Vases, urns, and angel statues must be under 36 inches tall and secured to the monument foundation or a cement slab.
  • Prohibited Containers & Items: Glass or breakable containers, metal cans, wire hooks, and unattached spikes are strictly prohibited.
  • Burial Lot Restrictions:
  • ○
    Fencing, hedging, borders, or enclosures of any kind are prohibited.
  • ○
    Placement of gravel, mulch, sand, or loose materials is not permitted.
  • ○
    Planting trees, shrubs, or flowers on grave sites is strictly prohibited.
  • ○
    Unapproved novelties (boxes, shelves, toys, metal ornaments, chairs, settees, pumpkins, Easter egg trees, etc.) will be removed immediately.

Please Note: The City of New Castle and cemetery management assume no responsibility to owners or third parties for any decorations that are removed, stolen, lost, damaged, or misplaced.

New Castle Community Info

Discover all that's in and around New Castle, Indiana!

Local
Events

Area
Experiences

Businesses

Area Jobs

New Castle Government

Here to Serve

Administration

Departments

Emergency
Services 

Boards &
Commissions