Brigham City (Utah). City Sexton

The responsibilities of the sexton have remained fairly constant since they were originally outlined by the city council in 1875. The sexton has charge of the city cemetery and provides or supervises the care, maintenance, and beautification of the cemetery, and the digging of graves. He is required to keep a record of all persons buried in the cemetery, which includes the deceased's name, parents' names, death date, and cause of death. The 1875 ordinance authorized the sexton to sell lots and keep 20% of the proceeds as a commission. Brigham City sextons have continued to sell cemetery lots under the direction of the city council. Sextons issue certificates with the purchase of lots, which entitle recipients to have cemetery deeds recorded. Brigham City ordinance has always prohibited any burial except in the cemetery under the direction of the sexton. Vaults and headstones are required. The original 1875 ordinance prohibited the burial of any convicted murderer in the Brigham City cemetery.

Brigham City sextons are appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council and are commissioned to carry out the wishes of the council in the management of the cemetery. The council sets the sexton's wages and controls fees for digging graves, etc. The council has been responsible for plotting and surveying of the cemetery and has expanded it several times. The council officially set aside ground for the cemetery and laid it out in a systematic manner in 1880. In 1888 the council purchased a hearse for the use of all Brigham City inhabitants. The council established a fund for perpetual care 1918. The council provides oversight for cemetery maintenance and beautification, including WPA projects in the 1930s. At that time grass was planted throughout the cemetery and a sprinkling system was installed. From c1960 to 1975 the sexton worked under the direction of the Brigham City parks and cemetery department. Reorganization in 1975 moved cemetery management to the department of parks and recreation.