RULES AND REGULATIONS: Overview
OVERVIEW | FLOWERS/DECORATIONS AT INTERNMENT | FLOWERS/DECORATIONS ON CRYPTS/NICHES | VISITING THE CEMETERY

 
From earliest times in the Church's tradition, believers have decorated the places of interment of their loved ones with words and symbols reflecting their strong faith in the continuing presence of the Lord in life and death and their firm hope in the resurrection as the promise of everlasting life. Mt. Calvary Cemetery is a Sacred Place and as such must be maintained in a manner which is respectful of all those who have entrusted their loved ones to us. In order to maintain the condition of the cemetery and to be considerate of one another, it is necessary to limit the nature and type of decorations permitted throughout this Sacred Place. Any object other than a flush bouquet holder, marker or monument is considered a grave accessory or "decoration". It is important that all decorations placed in the Cemetery meet the standards and regulations that follow.

 

 

 

RULES AND REGULATIONS: Placement of Flowers and Decorations on Graves
OVERVIEW | FLOWERS/DECORATIONS AT INTERNMENT | FLOWERS/DECORATIONS ON CRYPTS/NICHES | VISITING THE CEMETERY

 

 

  • Flowers at the time of Interment: Immediately following an interment, the flowers from the funeral may be placed directly on the grave and will be removed and discarded after five days, or at such time as they become unsightly.

  • From April 1 thru October 31: Only fresh flowers in approved bouquet holders are permitted during the mowing season, other than holidays as noted. Please contact the front office for information regarding approved bouquet holders. Wilted flowers will be removed every Tuesday to allow the Cemetery staff to cut the grass with fewer obstacles. Potted plants are permitted three days before and one week after Easter, Mothers Day, Memorial Day and Fathers Day.

  • Artificial Flowers or Decorations: Artificial flowers or decorations are permitted from November 1 thru April 1. Due to the danger to persons and property artificial decorations are not permitted during the growing season, other than holidays when potted plants are allowed, see section above. Any artificial flowers found at a place of interment between April 1 and October 31, will be removed and discarded.

  • Winter Season: From November 1 until April 1 artificial decorations and live winter decorations are permitted. Grave blankets, mounds, cones and other similar grave accessories are not permitted because they become a shelter for animals.

  • Seasonal Crosses: During those occasions when artificial decorations are permitted and from November 1 until April 1, families whose deceased loved ones are interred in a flat (flush) marker section may place a seasonal cross to better identify the place of interment. To protect the safety of all our visitors and our employees, and to assist in the reduction of incidents of equipment damage, all crosses with spikes or stakes which are not securely fastened to the cross are prohibited and will be removed immediately.

  • Christmas Decoration Removal: All Christmas decorations will be removed and discarded on January 31, with the exception of live wreaths and live crosses that have not browned. The live wreaths and live crosses will be removed when they have browned or on March 15. Seasonal crosses and artificial wreaths, artificial flowers, including poinsettia plants will not be removed prior to March 15th, unless damaged by weather or other conditions, or otherwise become unsightly.

  • Ornaments and Flower Vases: Because of the danger they present to persons and property, the placement of boxes, shells, toys, metal designs, ornaments, vases, glass, plastic, concrete, crockery jars and containers, picture frames, wood or metal cases, wire or iron and steel bars, etc. are not permitted on any plot and will be immediately removed. Only approved bouquet holders may be used for decora-tions. Safety standards require us to make conditions as safe as possible for Cemetery visitors and employees.

  • Candles or Flame Decorations: Votive candles of any kind and any decorations which include a flame, either live or battery operated, are prohibited on places of interment and will be removed.

  • "Natures Beauty Makes the Best Decorations": Plastic and Styrofoam grave decorations do not decompose nor are they good for the earth. Due to limited space, many landfills are no longer accepting such materials. The Cemetery recommends using only fresh flowers or other natural products to honor your loved ones.

    It is recommended that all decorations be clearly marked with the name and grave identification. In the event of a burial near any place of interment, it may be necessary to move some or all decorations. Proper marking of the decoration will facilitate its return to the appropriate location. Should an item be removed from a place of interment by Cemetery staff, every reasonable effort will be made to return the decoration to its appropriate location as work loads permit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Cemetery is not responsible for any items which are lost, stolen or misplaced.

    Ground decorations including marble chips, stones, wood chips, shells, bricks, lucky stones, fences, curbing, edging, etc, are not permitted around the place of interment.

    No planting of any kind may be made on an individual grave. However, plantings of bushes, shrubs or trees may be allowed as memorial donation to the cemetery. It must be a pre-approved type and size and placed in a location selected by the Cemetery Sexton and Director. In such cases a plaque in memory of a loved one may be placed.

    Trees and shrubs are for the beautification of the entire cemetery and for the benefit of all of the families, therefore, decorations placed on any trees; shrubs or cemetery structures will be removed.

    Height and Width: Decorations in excess of 36 inches high or 34 inches wide are not permitted and will be removed. In the case of baby graves, the width of the decoration shall not exceed 22 inches.

     

     

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    RULES AND REGULATIONS: Placement of Flowers and Decorations at Crypts and Niches

    OVERVIEW | FLOWERS/DECORATIONS AT INTERNMENT | FLOWERS/DECORATIONS ON CRYPTS/NICHES | VISITING THE CEMETERY

     
  • Special Requirements: As crypt and niche fronts are a part of the building structure, only Cemetery approved and installed crypt front decorations are allowed. The use of adhesives or tape can cause damage to the granite crypt and niche fronts. Moreover, non-approved decorations, which may cause discoloration and other damage, can diminish the beauty of the entire building, affecting the rights of others. Items attached to the crypt and niche fronts will be removed and the cost of repair may be assessed to the owner of the place of interment or their surviving heirs.

  • Flowers: Fresh or artificial flowers, according to the season may be placed in approved vases mounted to the crypt fronts by cemetery staff. Contact the office for more information.

  • Flowers at The time of Entombment: Since space in the mausoleums and at columbaria is limited, it is necessary to limit the number of bouquets placed in a mausoleum or near a columbarium after an entombment. In the case of a columbarium, due to the small area, not more than three bouquets may be left near the niche; in the case of an entombment in a mausoleum, not more than four bouquets may be left inside the mausoleum either near the crypt or at the entrance to the mausoleum. Flowers will be removed and discarded at the end of the fifth day, or at such time as they become unsightly.

    All items which are deemed by the Cemetery to be in violation of the Rules and Regulations will be removed and discarded. The Cemetery is not responsible for any item which is discarded.

     

     

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    RULES AND REGULATIONS: Visiting the Cemetery
    OVERVIEW | FLOWERS/DECORATIONS AT INTERNMENT | FLOWERS/DECORATIONS ON CRYPTS/NICHES | VISITING THE CEMETERY

     
    In order to promote the safety and comfort of all visitors and to be respectful of our sacred grounds and Committal Services, we ask that visitors comply with the following guidelines and regulations.

  • Visitors: Please maintain a quiet reverence and respect for other people when visiting the graves of loved ones. Caution should be exercised while walking over the grounds, as circumstances beyond the control of the Cemetery may affect the conditions of the grounds. It should always be presumed that the ground is uneven and the granite markers are slippery.

  • Funerals in Progress: Please respect any service in progress by avoiding the area if at all possible. If it is necessary to drive in the area, please slow down and minimize any noise. If visiting a site in the immediate area, please wait at a distance until the Priest has concluded the Committal Service.

  • Children: Children under fifteen (15) years of age should be accompanied by an adult. Young children should be supervised at all times while on Cemetery grounds.

  • Animals: Pets are permitted if kept on leashes and on the roadways.

  • Rubbish: Care should be taken not to throw rubbish on roads walks or grounds. Receptacles for waste materials are located at convenient intervals along all roadways.

  • Motor Vehicles: Automobiles, funeral cars and trucks must be kept under control at all times, and must observe posted speed limits. At no time should vehicles drive through the gates or within the cemetery at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour. Automobiles may not park or come to a full stop before an open grave unless in attendance at a funeral. Loud vehicles should be parked outside the Cemetery grounds.

     

     

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