GROWING SEASON
June 1st – November 1st
ONLY FRESH OR NATURAL PLANTS AND FLOWERS ARE PERMITTED. ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS/DECORATIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED DURING THE GROWING SEASON AS THEY IMPEDE MAINTENANCE DURING THIS TIME.
PLANTING AREA – ALL decorations and plantings (including those listed below) must remain within the planting area – that is, the area 18” in front of the memorial and within the width of the memorial. Please refrain from digging into the turf in other areas, as this will result in an unsightly appearance of the plot/grave when plantings/decorations are removed.
ANNUAL PLANTS – may be planted directly in front of the memorial only and within the Planting Area as noted above. Families must provide regular care of plantings. The Cemetery will remove such plantings should they become unsightly.
PERENNIAL PLANTS – are also permitted but must remain within the width of the memorial and no greater than 18” out from the memorial. NOTE: Should you wish to plant perennials, please consider their placement with respect to other annual plants which also must remain within the planting area.
NATURAL-CUT FLOWERS – are permitted in approved vases of either papier-mâché’ or temporary pin/cone type. Permanent vases are no longer permitted. Such vases are subject to damage and may cause injury to visitors or workers during trimming activities.
POTTED PLANTS – are permitted in pots not exceeding 10 inches in diameter and which are placed within the Planting Area. Plants will be removed when they become withered or unsightly.
BOXED PLANTS – are permitted in boxes not exceeding 15 inches in length or 8 inches in width and which are placed within the Planting Area. Plants will be removed when they become withered or unsightly. Size limitations are strictly enforced as larger sizes hinder Cemetery operations and are difficult to remove and replace.
PLOTHOLDERS – are responsible for maintaining and trimming their plantings. Plantings which exceed size restrictions and become overgrown or unsightly are subject to removal without notice.
NON-GROWING SEASON
November 2nd – May 31st
DECORATIONS FOR THE NON-GROWING SEASON SHOULD NORMALLY BE CONSIDERED FOR THE LATE FALL AND EARLY WINTER WHEN WEATHER AND GROUND CONDITIONS ARE LESS SEVERE. DECORATIONS DURING THE MAJOR PART OF THE WINTER ARE DISCOURAGED BECAUSE THEY ARE SUBJECT TO CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE FROM WEATHER CONDITIONS.
PLANTING AREA – see Planting Area under Growing Season.
ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS – are permitted in approved temporary vases, or on easels or stands. Artificial decorations should be placed in the Planting Area only and should not exceed the width of the memorial.
ARTIFICIAL/SPRUCE WREATHS – are permitted on easels or stands and which are placed within the Planting Area. Recommended size suitable for Cemetery decoration is 17” to 24” in diameter. To avoid damage to the memorial, please refrain from adhering or fastening decorations to the memorial.
SPRUCE PILLOWS – are permitted to a maximum size of 2’ X 3’ (24” X 36”). Spruce Pillows are to be placed in front of the memorial and not placed over the center of the grave. PLEASE NOTE: Evergreen Blankets (larger than 24” X 36”) are not permitted and will be removed without notice.
PERMANENT VASES – are no longer permitted except for those that have been previously approved. Permanent vases installed in years past must be inverted by November 2nd to prevent damage due to weather conditions and for safety reasons.
SPECIAL NOTICE
The period from February 15 to March 30 is traditionally used to prepare the grounds of the cemetery for the spring. Insofar as is possible, we ask that you be mindful of placing decorations during this period.GENERAL INFORMATION
DECORATIONS NOT SPECIFICALLY OUTLINED – are prohibited and will be removed without notice. These include, but are not limited to jars, bottles, styrofoam, crockery, statuary, rosaries, vigil lights, candles, permanent vases, borders, fencing, papiermâché’/plastic ornaments and other similar items. Such decorations interfere with the care and maintenance of the site, may become lost or damaged, or can cause injuries to our workers or visitors while performing routine trimming/maintenance.
SINGLE AND DOUBLE GRAVES – Bushes, evergreens and similar plantings are not permitted since these sites are not large enough to allow for such planting. All such planting will be removed without notice from active sections, and elsewhere as operations dictate.
THREE GRAVE PLOTS AND LARGER – Bushes and shrubs may be planted in front of the memorial and within the Planting Area. Planting should not exceed the width or height of the memorial.
AMERICAN FLAGS – of a suitable size are permitted on gravesites only. Flags will be removed when they become worn or damaged and will be disposed of in the proper manner.
ROSE BUSHES, IVY, UNAUTHORIZED TREES, BUSHES – are prohibited and are subject to removal without notice.
DECORATIONS ADHERED TO THE MEMORIAL – can cause damage to the memorial and are prohibited.
COMMUNITY MAUSOLEUMS AND GARDEN CRYPTS
ST. JOHN CLOISTER/HOLY CROSS CLOISTER – Fresh flowers in approved vases are permitted (vases are available at the Cloister). NOTE: Flowers are not permitted in the Unit 6 area of St. John Cloister.
OUTDOOR GARDEN CRYPTS – Floral decorations are permitted in the stationary receptacles provided by the Cemetery, where available. Individual flowers or other decorations are not permitted.
OTHER INDOOR MAUSOLEUMS – Individual flowers or other decorations are not permitted.
Decorations adhered to crypt fronts are prohibited and will be removed without notice. Crypt holders will be subject to fees for damage repairs and re-polishing of crypt fronts.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
CERTIFICATE OF RIGHT OF BURIAL – grants only the right or privileges of burial to the certificate owner and not title to the land itself.
ENDOWED CARE – (formerly known as Permanent Care) provides for the general care of the grave/plot. The grave/plot will continue to receive attention even though all family members may no longer be living or have moved away. NOTE: Endowed Care does not include the care and maintenance of the plot holder’s private plantings or the memorial/grave marker.
ANNUAL CARE – older sites sold with Annual Care provides that the grave/plot will be maintained at a yearly charge. Should you wish to consider placing the site in Endowed Care, please contact our Main Office.
MEMORIALIZATION – only granite of an approved type may be used for monuments/grave markers. Only one (1) monument/grave marker is permitted for each Certificate of Right of Burial issued. Monuments/grave markers are the personal property and responsibility of the plot holder. The Cemetery does not assume responsibility for their maintenance nor is the Cemetery liable for damages resulting from normal operations, natural cause, vandalism or otherwise. Bronze memorialization is permitted only in certain designated flat grave marker sections of our cemeteries. Please inquire at the Cemetery Office for further information.
MEMORIAL FOUNDATIONS – support the memorial which over time and due to natural conditions may descend or sink below the grade of the earth. Should you wish to raise your foundation, please contact the Cemetery Office for current pricing.
DAILY MASS INTENTIONS – Mass intentions are offered Monday through Saturday for the repose of all souls interred in our cemeteries.
SPECIAL MASSES – Field Masses are offered on Memorial Day and All Souls Day in all of our cemeteries. Signage will be posted throughout our cemeteries at those specific times of the year. You can check our website, or you may contact the Cemetery Office for further details.
Please remember that regulations exist to protect and serve our Catholic Cemetery Community rather than hinder. As part of that community, we must be mindful and considerate of others. Only by your cooperation and the manner in which we enforce these regulations can we attain our common goal – a beautifully maintained cemetery. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Rules and regulations are subject to change from time to time as the best interest of maintaining the Cemetery may demand.