Catholic Cemeteries understand the desire of families to pay tribute to their loved ones interred in our Cemeteries. The following rules and regulations have been established to ensure the safety of those who visit in addition to preserving the beauty and aesthetics of the cemetery. Please review carefully and address any concerns or questions to the cemetery office.
FRESH FLOWERS
Catholic Cemeteries allow for the placement of fresh-cut flowers only. No artificial flowers or decorations are permitted. The cemetery will in no way be responsible for the care, safekeeping, or condition of flowers left on the cemetery premises.
VASES REMOVAL
Flowers must be placed in vases approved by and installed by the cemetery. Vases may be purchased through the cemetery office. The cemetery does not permit the use of outside vases or any other types of flower containers. This includes but is not limited to, glass vases, crockery jars, and plastic or clay pots.
Flowers placed on gravesites, crypts, and niches will be removed every Thursday to allow for the maintenance of the cemetery. Flower removal schedules are posted at the cemetery entrances and are also available in the cemetery office. Exceptions to the removal schedule are made to accommodate Advent (Christmas) and Lent (Easter). Please check with the cemetery office regarding our Advent and Lenten Schedules as they change from year to year.
FLAGS
Catholic Cemeteries allow for the placement of small United States Flags throughout the year as part of a floral arrangement utilizing the vase. An exception is made for Veterans Day and Memorial Day, when small flags may be placed on the gravesites directly. All flags will be removed on the scheduled flower removal dates. Removed flags will be handled in accordance with United States Government flag handling guidelines. Families wishing to retain their flag must remove it prior to the scheduled removal date. The cemetery is not responsible for loss or damage to flags placed on gravesites.
STANDING DECORATIONS
No standing decorations of any kind are permitted. This includes but is not limited to, potted plants, artificial flowers, helium balloons, whirligigs, pinwheels, vigil candles, toys, and other objects. Please see our Advent and Lent policy for possible seasonal exceptions. Note: The Cemetery encourages the use of fresh-cut flowers only and discourages leaving items of sentimental value at any time.
ADHESIVES
Adhering or attaching items to Memorials, Crypts, or Niche fronts is not permitted. The use of glue, tape, and other adhesives cause damage to the surfaces and is not permitted at any time. Should you wish to personalize your Memorial, Crypt or Niche; religious emblems are available for purchase in the cemetery office. FUNERAL FLOWERS
Funeral Flowers are removed on the second day following the funeral service, or as deemed necessary to ensure the safety of visitors or to avoid hindrance to cemetery operations. Families wishing to keep funeral flowers are advised and encouraged to retrieve them from the gravesite before leaving the cemetery. The cemetery is in no way responsible for the care, safekeeping, or condition of flowers left on the cemetery premises.
The following are not permitted at any time:
- Decoration of the cemetery landscaping – e.g. trees, shrubs, lawns, statues, and features.
- Decorative fencing around gravesites or trenching of grass to outline boundaries
- Use of flowers, garland, or other items to outline the boundaries of the gravesites, crypts, or niches.
HOLIDAY FLOWER SCHEDULES (SEASONAL)
In observance of Advent (Christmas) and Lent (Easter), our policy is relaxed to allow families the opportunity to use items otherwise not permitted throughout the remainder of the year. Please review the policy carefully as schedules will be posted and any unpermitted items will be removed by the cemetery. You are reminded that this is a Catholic Cemetery and all decorations must be respectful of and non-offensive to the religious nature and precepts of the Catholic Church. It is important to remember that the individual decoration of a gravesite may not hinder access to other gravesites.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of cemetery regulations and practices, I appreciate the importance of maintaining a sacred and aesthetically pleasing environment for those visiting their loved ones. I've delved into various aspects of cemetery management, and I'd like to shed light on the rules and regulations outlined in the provided article by Catholic Cemeteries.
1. Fresh Flowers: Catholic Cemeteries permit the placement of fresh-cut flowers only, emphasizing a natural and vibrant aesthetic. Artificial flowers or decorations are strictly prohibited. The responsibility for the care, safekeeping, and condition of flowers rests with the visitors, as the cemetery assumes no liability.
2. Vases: Flowers must be arranged in vases approved by and installed by the cemetery. External vases or other types of flower containers, such as glass vases, crockery jars, and plastic or clay pots, are not allowed. The cemetery offers approved vases for purchase, ensuring uniformity in the presentation of floral arrangements.
3. Removal: To maintain the cemetery's beauty, flowers placed on gravesites, crypts, and niches are removed every Thursday. However, exceptions are made for Advent (Christmas) and Lent (Easter), during which removal schedules are adjusted. Families are encouraged to check with the cemetery office for specific Advent and Lenten Schedules, which may vary annually.
4. Flags: Small United States Flags are allowed throughout the year as part of a floral arrangement using the approved vase. On Veterans Day and Memorial Day, small flags can be directly placed on gravesites. All flags are removed on scheduled flower removal dates, following United States Government flag handling guidelines.
5. Standing Decorations: No standing decorations, including potted plants, artificial flowers, balloons, and other objects, are permitted. The emphasis is on the use of fresh-cut flowers, and exceptions may be outlined in the Advent and Lent policy for specific seasons.
6. Adhesives: Attaching items to Memorials, Crypts, or Niche fronts using glue, tape, or other adhesives is strictly prohibited. To personalize memorials, religious emblems are available for purchase through the cemetery office.
7. Funeral Flowers: Funeral flowers are removed promptly, either on the second day following the funeral service or as necessary to ensure the safety of visitors and maintain cemetery operations. Families are encouraged to retrieve funeral flowers if they wish to keep them, as the cemetery does not assume responsibility for their care.
8. Holiday Flower Schedules: During Advent (Christmas) and Lent (Easter), the cemetery relaxes its policy to allow families additional flexibility in decorating gravesites. However, all decorations must be respectful and non-offensive to the religious nature and precepts of the Catholic Church. Schedules for these seasons are posted, and unpermitted items will be removed.
In conclusion, the guidelines aim to create a serene and respectful environment, balancing the desire for personal tributes with the need to maintain the beauty of the Catholic Cemeteries. Visitors are encouraged to contact the cemetery office for any concerns or questions regarding these regulations.
