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Cemetery

Cemetery Decoration Guidelines

 These guidelines are essential to ensure a respectful and harmonious environment for all visitors and to maintain our cemeteries' overall aesthetics and functionality.

February Clean-Off

February Clean-OFf is the time period of six (6) days - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday - beginning with the first Monday in February each year.  This is the time period each year when our staff attempts to review decorations at each gravesite - removing and discarding decorations which are not consistent with our CEMETERY DECORATION GUIDELINES. Extensive WINTER DECORATING items are removed and discarded during this time period in preparation for the beginning of the upcoming turf season.  It is not possible for our staff to retain decorations removed during this time period.  Clients should remove important decoration items from gravesites prior to this week and should not replace important decoration items until after this week.

Standard Decorating

Standard Decorating is the time period of approximately ten (10) months beginning Sunday following FEBRUARY CLEAN-OFF thru the following November 30th which is considered our turf season. STANDARD DECORATING encourages secure placement of natural or artificial floral arrangements in a Permanent Vase Unit that has been designed as part of the monument.  Other types of decorations – such as flags, ribbons, solar lights, sun catchers, pinwheels – may be placed as decorations if they are, likewise, securely located inside a Permanent Vase that has been designed as part of the monument.  In the absence of a Permanent Vase Unit that has been designed as part of the monument or in the absence of a Permanent Monument, a single natural or artificial floral arrangement may be placed directly in the ground at the top, center of the gravesite - removing and replacing any existing decoration that may already exist at the gravesite.

The following approaches to decorating are just a few examples of ideas not consistent with STANDARD DECORATING as they do not place decorations securely inside a Permanent Vase Unit that has been designed as part of the monument:  shepherd hooks, easels, planting, fencing, bricks, rocks, borders, mementos, trinkets and keepsakes that are located on the ground or not secured to the monument. 

Winter Decorating

Winter decorating is the time period of approximately two (2) months beginning the first day in December thru FEBRUARY CLEAN-OFF.  During WINTER DECORATING decorations of fresh and artificial flowers and other types of decorations - including grave blankets, wreaths, easels, bouquets and other items - may be placed directly on the ground as long as they do not extend beyond the gravesite.

Interment Decorating

Interment Decorating is the time period of ninety (90) days following date of burial.  During INTERMENT DECORATING decorations of fresh and artificial flowers and other types of decorations may be placed directly on the ground as long as they do not extend beyond the gravesite and present a danger to individuals visiting or to the staff by potentially becoming caught-up and thrown by mowing, trimming or maintenance equipment.  An approved temporary marker is allowed to be placed during this same time period, reflecting name and dates of the deceased.  After ninety (90) days, STANDARD DECORATING applies and the approved Temporary Marker is removed.

Item Removal Policy

Decorations placed inconsistent with CEMETERY DECORATION GUIDELINES will be removed and discarded.  The fact that every part of these CEMETERY DECORATION GUIDELINES may not be absolutely applied or enforced at all times does not mean that these CEMETERY DECORATION GUIDELINES are no longer valid and in force.  It is the responsibility of clients to understand these CEMETERY DECORATION GUIDELINES as they apply to their specific desire to place decorations.  

While Our Cemeteries encourage visitation and gravesite decoration, our clients are reminded that it is not possible for Our Cemeteries to assume the responsibility of safe keeping or protection of decorations placed on-site.  Decorations are placed strictly at the risk of our clients and may become lost, stolen, broken or discarded.  Our Cemeteries assume no liability for decorations which become lost, stolen, broken or discarded.