District Court Order

On March 5, 2003, the Ellis County District Court issued a Final Judgment which ordered, adjudged and decreed that the ownership of and title to the tract or parcel of land described therein in Ellis County, Texas, in the Bell’s Chapel Cemetery in Rockett, Texas, is quieted and is vested in the cemetery; thereby abandoning to the cemetery vacant plots of unknown owners and owner’s successors. Click to read.

Abandoned Plots

According to the Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 714.003.  ABANDONED PLOTS IN PRIVATE CEMETERIES, the ownership or right of sepulture in an unoccupied plot for which adequate perpetual care has not been provided in a private cemetery operated by a nonprofit organization reverts to the cemetery on a finding by a court that the plot is abandoned.  A cemetery may convey title to any plot that has reverted to the cemetery. For purposes of paragraph (c)(2) of this provision, an annual maintenance fee is established at $50 per vacant plot per year. Click to read

Affidavit of Heirship

An heirship affidavit is a sworn statement used to establish ownership of property when the original owner dies intestate and the estate isn't worth more than a statutory amount. An affidavit of heirship should be duly signed by individuals who have personal knowledge about the decedent's real property.

• Click here for a link to a Texas Affidavit of Heirship Form.

Articles of Incorporation

Bell's Chapel Cemetery Association, Inc. was incorporated as of August 7, 2001 and registered with the Texas Secretary of State on August 14, 2001.  As a Texas non-profit corporation, it is subject to Article 22 of the Texas Business Organizations Code.

Although the Articles of Incorporation represent that we are a 501(c)3 organization, we are not, and are instead a 501(c)13 tax-exempt cemetery association. All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law for our donors.  This correction has been noted in our Board minutes.  

• Click here for Articles of Incorporation

• Click here for IRS tax determination

By-Laws

Click here for the By-Laws of the Association
Basically, the By-Laws provide: 

• Purpose is to be the operating care, up-keep and improvement of the cemetery.

• Annual Meeting to be held on the last Sunday in April of each year.

• Day-to-day management of the cemetery by the Board and its Officers

Rules & Regulations

Click here to read the cemetery Rules and Regulations.

Survey

Click for survey

Cemetery Law

Click here to read a Brief Overview of Cemetery Law in Texas

Elder Law: To whom will your burial plots pass upon death?

In Texas, the Health and Safety Code, along with the contract you have signed with the cemetery association which governs the cemetery where the plots are located, controls who receives your unused burial plots upon your death. Read this Elder Law Article and consult your attorney.

Investment Policy Statement

Our Board Members are all non-paid volunteers who are descendants of ancestors interred in this historic, pioneer, private cemetery. They are responsible for the day-to-day management of the cemetery, but need the continuing donations of family members to defer the operating expenses.

Over the years, some donors have included Bell's Chapel Cemetery in their wills to provide continuing support for operating care and improvements. Beginning in 2012, these bequeaths were consolidated into an Endowment Fund management Vanguard Group pursuant to an Investment Policy Statement adopted by the Board.

• Click here to read the Investment Policy Statement